Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

white trash

American  

noun

Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.
  1. a member of the class of poor whites, especially in the southern U.S.

  2. poor whites collectively.


white trash British  

noun

  1. derogatory

    1. poor White people living in the US, esp the South

    2. ( as modifier )

      white-trash culture

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of white trash

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

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.

Unwittingly he had tossed the napkin into the white trash bag, not realizing his wife had cleaned the rings and wrapped them in the napkin to dry.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 29, 2022

Seven white trash can liners stretching out from the leg of a broken chair, in “Mischief,” are a magical kind of shadow brighter than the object casting them.

From New York Times • Sep. 22, 2020

We were these two white trash kids in the Oregon rain, walking two miles to the mall, to hang out on a Saturday because we're broke and have nothing else to do.

From Salon • May 26, 2020

One patron, Justin Brummet - who proudly describes himself as "third class white trash" - says US progress on gay rights since Shepard's death is to be commended.

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2018

Because I hate myself so, because I hate my looks and my clothes and everything!" the other burst out passionately, "I feel like po' white trash.

From Rough-Hewn by Canfield, Dorothy

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "white trash" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com