throwaway

Everyday

1. Throwaway things are made to be used once or for a short time and then thrown away: throwaway cups, throwaway razors. tree →
2. A throwaway remark or line is said quickly and casually, without much thought, though it may matter. tree →
3. "Throwaway culture" or "throwaway society" means people buying cheap things and throwing them away too fast, which wastes resources and makes pollution. tree →
4. (noun) A throwaway is something thrown away or treated as unimportant. tree →

In the lessons

In science, geography and citizenship lessons it appears with waste, plastics, recycling and climate change: reduce, reuse, recycle. In English lessons a throwaway line in a story might be a clue. Phrases: "throwaway plastic", "throwaway comment", "throwaway society", "throwaway fashion".

Examples

• Throwaway plastic cups fill up rubbish dumps. tree →
• Our school is trying to stop using throwaway bottles. tree →
• It was just a throwaway comment, but it hurt her feelings. tree →
• The detective noticed a throwaway line that was actually a clue. tree →
• We live in a throwaway society. tree →
• Throwaway fashion means clothes are worn a few times and binned. tree →
• Bring a reusable bag instead of a throwaway one. tree →

Note

One word when it comes before a noun (a throwaway cup); two words as a verb: "throw away the rubbish". Close words: disposable, single-use.