wastebasket
B1Neutral to informal; common in everyday domestic and office contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A small container, typically open at the top, used for temporarily holding discarded paper and other small items of rubbish.
Metaphorically, can refer to a category or place where unwanted, rejected, or low-value items, ideas, or people are placed.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes a smaller, often portable container for dry waste like paper, as opposed to a larger, lidded 'bin' or 'dustbin' for general refuse.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'wastepaper basket' (often shortened to 'wastepaper bin' or just 'bin') is more common. 'Wastebasket' is understood but distinctly American. The American term is increasingly recognized globally due to media.
Connotations
Both terms are functionally neutral. 'Wastebasket' may sound slightly more utilitarian or office-oriented to British ears.
Frequency
High frequency in American English; medium frequency in British English, where alternative terms are preferred.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
empty the wastebaskettoss something into the wastebasketplace something in the wastebaskethave a wastebasketthe wastebasket containsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “wastebasket case (derogatory, dated slang for a hopeless person)”
- “circular file (humorous euphemism for a wastebasket)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common in office settings for paper disposal. E.g., 'Please shred confidential documents instead of putting them in your wastebasket.'
Academic
Used literally. Sometimes appears in environmental or design studies. E.g., 'The study compared recycling rates based on wastebasket proximity.'
Everyday
Very common in domestic and work contexts. E.g., 'Can you empty the wastebasket in the study?'
Technical
Rare. May appear in specifications for office furniture or waste management systems.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- She aimed the crumpled memo perfectly into the wastepaper basket.
- The new recycling policy means we have three different baskets under the desk.
American English
- He tossed the junk mail directly into the wastebasket.
- Every classroom has a blue wastebasket for paper only.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My wastebasket is full of paper.
- The wastebasket is next to the desk.
- Please empty your wastebasket at the end of the day.
- I found the lost key at the bottom of the wastebasket.
- The interim report was deemed useless and consigned to the wastebasket.
- A good editor needs a strong mental wastebasket for weak ideas.
- The legislation was described as a wastebasket bill, containing dozens of unrelated amendments.
- His career prospects landed firmly in the professional wastebasket after the scandal.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BASKET for WASTE. It's a basket for waste paper.
Conceptual Metaphor
REJECTION IS THROWING INTO A WASTEBASKET (e.g., 'The proposal ended up in the wastebasket.').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'корзина для отходов' in formal contexts; 'мусорная корзина' or 'урна для бумаг' is more natural.
- Do not confuse with 'bucket' (ведро).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'waste basket' (two words). The standard is one word.
- Using 'wastebasket' for large outdoor bins.
- Incorrect preposition: 'throw to the wastebasket' instead of 'throw in/into the wastebasket'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most typical synonym for 'wastebasket' in a British office context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes, especially in an office context. It's designed for dry, non-liquid waste like paper, envelopes, and packaging. For general kitchen or bathroom rubbish, 'bin', 'trash can', or 'dustbin' are more common.
A 'wastebasket' is typically smaller, often open-topped, and for dry waste (especially paper). A 'bin' is a more general term that can be larger, may have a lid, and can be used for any type of refuse, including food waste.
Rarely and informally. As a verb, it means to discard or reject something (e.g., 'The committee wastebasketed the initial plan'). The more common verbs are 'discard', 'throw away', or 'bin' (BrE).
Yes, 'wastepaper basket' is the traditional and still common British term. It is often shortened in speech to 'wastepaper bin' or simply 'bin' if the context is clear.
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