throwaway
Americanadjective
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made or intended to be discarded after use or quick examination.
a throwaway container;
a throwaway brochure.
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delivered or expressed casually or extemporaneously.
a funny throwaway line that brings applause.
noun
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something that is made or intended to be discarded.
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a handbill, advertising circular, pamphlet, etc., intended to be discarded after reading.
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Also called pushout. Informal: Disparaging and Offensive. a youth who is unwanted or rejected by their family, the school system, or society in general.
adjective
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said or done incidentally, esp for rhetorical effect; casual
a throwaway remark
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anything designed to be discarded after use rather than reused, refilled, etc; disposable
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( as modifier )
a throwaway carton
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noun
verb
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to get rid of; discard
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to fail to make good use of; waste
to throw away all one's money on horses
Etymology
Origin of throwaway
First recorded in 1900–05; adjective, noun use of verb phrase throw away
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.
This sentiment is shared by Han Sing Keng, a durian farmer and seller in Malaysia's Johor state, who says many of the durians flooding the market at throwaway prices are "not qualified for export".
From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026
While reflecting upon her four-decade-long career in “Kylie,” an intimate new three-part Netflix documentary, Kylie Minogue says a throwaway line that anchors the endeavor: “Life makes sense to me onstage.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
Unfortunately the musical, while still retaining some throwaway jokes, takes itself more seriously.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
The Welsh government said laying regulations for Wales's DRS was a major step towards ending throwaway culture.
From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026
He tried ro sound casual, as though this was a throwaway comment of no real importance, but he was not sure he had achieved the right effect; Lupin’s smile was a little too understanding.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
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.
