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

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

Organic net sales fell 2.8%, which Diageo said was partly driven by softer performance in North America “given pressure on disposable income impacting U.S. spirits.”

From Barron's

Related Words

• superfluous
• unimportant