disposable

American  

[dih-spoh-zuh-buhl] / dɪˈspoʊ zə bəl /

adjective

1. designed for or capable of being thrown away after being used or used up.

   disposable plastic spoons; a disposable cigarette lighter.

2. free for use; available.

   Every disposable vehicle was sent.

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noun

1. something disposable after a single use, as a paper cup, plate, or napkin.

disposable British  

/ dɪˈspəʊzəbəl /

adjective

1. designed for disposal after use

   disposable cups

2. available for use if needed

   disposable assets

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noun

1. something, such as a baby's nappy, that is designed for disposal

2. (plural) short for disposable goods

Other Word Forms

• disposability noun
• disposableness noun
• disposably adverb
• nondisposable adjective

Etymology

Origin of disposable

First recorded in 1645–55; dispose + -able

Example Sentences

This type of support can give people more disposable income which, in theory, might free them up to buy the household goods they need.

From BBC

Average disposable income - which measures the amount of money people have left to spend after they have paid tax – will give us an indication of households' spending power in the coming years.

From BBC

A sustained rise in the oil price by $15 a barrel could raise the level of eurozone consumer prices by almost 0.5% and curtail the gain in disposable incomes accordingly, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal

Weapons systems have evolved from disposable purchases to multi-decade ecosystems nowadays.

From MarketWatch

The World Bank estimates China’s household saving rate exceeded 30% of disposable income in 2025 — far higher than rates in most developed economies.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• superfluous
• unimportant