Discardable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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discardable

[dɪˈskɑːrdəbl ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

used in a sentence

Capable of being discarded or disposed of; dispensable.

Synonyms

disposable, expendable, throwaway.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
discardable	This term is used when something can be discarded or gotten rid of without much thought or consequence. It is often used in a general context. Some people think old clothes are discardable, but they can often be donated or recycled. This old software is becoming less useful and might soon be discardable.
disposable	This word is commonly used for items that are designed to be used once or for a short period of time before being thrown away. It is frequently used in relation to products like cameras, utensils, and medical supplies. Disposable cups are convenient for large parties but bad for the environment. He bought a disposable camera for their vacation.
throwaway	This term is informal and often suggests a casual or careless attitude towards something being discarded. It is sometimes used metaphorically for comments or jokes that are made lightly or without much thought. Many advertisements use throwaway products to encourage consumerism. Her throwaway remark unexpectedly hurt his feelings.
expendable	This word has a more negative connotation and is often used to describe things or people considered less important and thus can be sacrificed or used up. It is frequently found in military or business contexts. In the movie, the hero was seen as expendable by his superiors. Some companies treat temporary workers as expendable resources.

Examples of usage

This old computer is discardable, we can throw it away.
Plastic cutlery is often considered discardable after one use.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Environmental Impact

Discardable items contribute significantly to waste in landfills, raising concerns about sustainability and environmental impact.
Awareness of plastic pollution has sparked movements to reduce the use of single-use or discardable products globally.
Biodegradable alternatives are being developed to replace traditional discardable materials, promoting eco-friendly options.

Cultural Perspectives

In some cultures, discardable items are frowned upon due to the value placed on reusability and sustainability.
Festivals and events sometimes focus on discardable items, creating waste while emphasizing the need for clean-up and recycling initiatives.
In modern advertising, discardable products are often marketed for their convenience, appealing to fast-paced lifestyles.

History of Consumerism

The rise of mass production in the 20th century led to the increase of disposable products, making them a common part of daily life.
Post-World War II, Americans adopted a throwaway culture, with many discardable items being marketed as 'convenient' and 'time-saving'.
The concept of planned obsolescence has been used by companies to encourage consumers to continually purchase new discardable items.

Health and Safety

In health care, discardable items like syringes and gloves are crucial for preventing cross-contamination and disease spread.
Pandemic responses saw a significant increase in the use of discardable personal protective equipment to ensure safety.
Catering and the food industry rely on discardable containers to maintain hygiene, though they raise disposal concerns.

Origin of 'discardable'

Main points about word origin

The word begins with 'dis-' indicating removal, while 'card' comes from the Latin 'cardare' meaning to prune or cut.
Coined in the 20th century, it was often associated with consumer culture, where items are made to be used and quickly disposed of.
The '-able' suffix is used to indicate capability, thus 'discardable' directly translates to 'able to be discarded'.

The word 'discardable' originated from the verb 'discard', which dates back to the mid-16th century. The suffix '-able' is added to 'discard' to form 'discardable', indicating the capability of being discarded. The concept of disposability and the need for items that can be easily disposed of led to the popularization of the term in the 20th century with the rise of disposable consumer products.