Waste vs Waist
What’s the difference between them?
Waste
Meaning:
To use or expend carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose.
Examples:
1. The factory produced so much waste that it had to be disposed of in a landfill.
2. Much of the food they bought ended up going to waste.
3. We must reduce our waste if we are to protect the environment.
Waist
Meaning:
The narrowest part of the torso, located between the rib cage and the hips.
Examples:
1. She cinched in her dress with a belt around her waist.
2. He had his hands on her waist as they slow danced.
3. She adjusted the waistband of her jeans.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Waste
1. Squander
2. Discard
3. Misuse
4. Throw away
5. Fritter away
1. Resourceful
2. Preserve
3. Utilize
4. Invest
5. Save and Spend
Waist
1. Midriff
2. Trunk
3. Abdomen
4. Waistline
5. Narrowest part of the torso
1. Shoulders
2. Abdomen
3. Bottom
4. Chest
5. Grow Taller
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Waste", "Waist".
1. When referring to throwing something away, the word 'waste' is used.
2. 'Waist' refers to the area of the body between the ribs and hips, so it can be visualized as a belt-like shape around the middle.
3. Use mnemonic phrase: 'Waste is thrown away, waist is a part of your hand.'
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the word 'waste' be used?
The word 'waste' is usually used to refer to something that is discarded or put to no use, such as garbage or resources that are wasted. It can also be used figuratively, such as saying that a person’s time is being wasted.
When is the appropriate context for using the word 'waist'?
The word 'waist' is usually used to refer to the middle part of the body, that is, the area between the rib cage and the hips. It is also commonly used in the context of clothing, such as with the phrase 'waist-length' to refer to clothing that ends at the waist.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
Yes, these words have similar pronunciation, so you have pay attention to the context to use the correct word.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One of the common mistakes people make when using these words is confusing them, as they are very similar in pronunciation. Another mistake is using the word 'waist' to refer to something that is being wasted, or using the word 'waste' to refer to the part of the body.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The dress had a __ waist and a tight-fitting skirt.
2. Most people are trying to reduce their __ of energy.
3. His __ was twice the size of his brothers.
4. She had a slim __ that tapered to her ankles.
5. They recycled all the __ materials in the laboratory.
6. She wore a belt to cinch her __ in.
1. The dress had a high waist and a tight-fitting skirt.
Explanation: Waist is the correct word to fill in the gap in this sentence as it refers to the area between the hips and the rib cage. It is used to describe the height of the waistline of the dress, which in this case is high.
2. Most people are trying to reduce their waste of energy.
Explanation: Waste is the correct word to fill in the gap in this sentence as it refers to the act of using a resource inefficiently or carelessly, in this case energy.
3. His waist was twice the size of his brothers.
Explanation: Waist is the correct word to fill in the gap in this sentence as it refers to the circumference of the body, specifically the area between the hips and ribs. It is used to describe the size of the waist, which in this case is twice the size of his brothers.
4. She had a slim waist that tapered to her ankles.
Explanation: Waist is the correct word to fill in the gap in this sentence as it refers to the circumference of the body, specifically the area between the hips and ribs. It is used to describe the shape of the waist, which in this case is slim and tapers to her ankles.
5. They recycled all the waste materials in the laboratory.
Explanation: Waste is the correct word to fill in the gap in this sentence as it refers to materials that are no longer needed and are discarded or thrown away. It is used to describe the materials in the laboratory, which in this case are waste materials.
6. She wore a belt to cinch her waist in.
Explanation: Waist is the correct word to fill in the gap in this sentence as it refers to the circumference of the body, specifically the area between the hips and ribs. It is used to describe the target area of the belt, which in this case is waist.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.