disposable

[ dih-spoh-zuh-buhl ]

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.

noun

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

disposable

/ dɪˈspəʊzəbəl /

adjective

1. designed for disposal after use

   disposable cups

2. available for use if needed

   disposable assets

noun

1. something, such as a baby's nappy, that is designed for disposal
2. plural short for disposable goods

Derived Forms

• disˌposaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• dis·posa·bili·ty dis·posa·ble·ness noun
• dis·posa·bly adverb
• nondis·posa·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disposable¹

First recorded in 1645–55; dispose + -able

Example Sentences

Separately, the government had already announced that disposable vapes will be banned in England, Wales and Scotland from 1 June 2025.

From BBC

“Justified” won Martindale her first Emmy, at 60, an age at which most women are considered Hollywood disposable.

From New York Times

But even with those caveats, he said the debt shouldn’t exceed three months of disposable income.

From Salon

Very little of the world’s plastic waste — about half of which comes from single-use plastics such as packaging, straws and disposable utensils — is recycled.

From Los Angeles Times

There was the 1997 Asian financial crisis, a period of such belt-tightening that South Koreans were ordered to donate their gold to the government and had no disposable income to spend on rides or concessions.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• superfluous
• unimportant