disposable
Americanadjective
-
designed for or capable of being thrown away after being used or used up.
disposable plastic spoons; a disposable cigarette lighter.
-
free for use; available.
Every disposable vehicle was sent.
noun
adjective
-
designed for disposal after use
disposable cups
-
available for use if needed
disposable assets
noun
-
something, such as a baby's nappy, that is designed for disposal
-
(plural) short for disposable goods
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of disposable
Explanation
Something disposable is not meant to last. It's OK to throw it out after you use it. Disposable diapers are a good example of what the word disposable is all about: after the diaper is used, it goes straight into the trash, and you can't use it again. Something disposable is replaceable. If a boss decides an employee is disposable, that means the employee will probably be fired. As you can imagine, people don't like to feel disposable. Lots of people don't like products that are disposable either. Disposing of things just creates more garbage, which is bad for the environment. Usually, things that are recyclable are better.
Vocabulary lists containing disposable
100 SAT Words Beginning with "D"
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History is made in PA: Clinton's DNC Acceptance Speech
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Mockingjay
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Teenagers don’t have the disposable income—or the easily accessible credit cards—that advertisers crave.
From Barron's • Jun. 15, 2026
Amid a major outcry from supporter groups and politicians, Fifa backed down, permitting fans to take in sealed, disposable water bottles after all.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
Concern has grown over disposable children’s diapers, many of which contain chemicals, plastics and other ingredients linked to health and environmental risks.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
With elevated prices at the pump, many households are being left with less disposable income to spend in shops and restaurants.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
He hadn’t expected Aurelia to show her girlish weakness by pleading like this for any of the participants, and certainly not for mere disposable animals.
From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
