waster

American  

[wey-ster] / ˈweɪ stər /

noun

1. a person or thing that wastes time, money, etc.

2. a piece of ceramic ware warped, cracked, or melted during firing.

3. a spendthrift or wastrel.

4. a destroyer.

   The Vandals were wasters of cities.

5. Chiefly British. wastrel.

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waster British  

/ ˈweɪstə /

noun

1. a person or thing that wastes

2. a ne'er-do-well; wastrel

3. an article spoiled in manufacture

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Etymology

Origin of waster

1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French wastere, wastour ( -or ² ); later understood as waste + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The renewables biofuel factory was intended to produce sustainable aviation fuel and diesel from waster, but faced unfavourable market conditions.

From Barron's • Oct. 30, 2025

But why does accessing a newspaper have to be so frustrating, and such a time waster?

From Seattle Times • Jul. 22, 2022

Outdoor watering, in particular, is the biggest water waster in urban areas, and drought-tolerant and “California-friendly” landscaping can save up to 85% more water than grass, according to the MWD.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 13, 2022

For example, spongy bone tissue is found in the inner layer of bones and contains blood vessels to deliver nutrients and remove waster from bone cells.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

It was a sad, strange place to find Toppy Treplin, one-time All-American halfback, but for the last four years all-around moneyed loafer and waster.

From The Snow-Burner by Oyen, Henry