Litter: meaning, definitions and examples
๐๏ธ
litter
[ หlษชtษr ]
environment
Waste material that is thrown away, especially in public places. Litter can include items such as bottles, cans, wrappers, and other trash.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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litter |
Usually refers to small pieces of waste that people leave on the ground in public places, particularly in streets and parks.
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trash |
Another term used mainly in American English to describe general waste or discarded material. It is sometimes used interchangeably with 'garbage', but can also include non-food items.
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garbage |
Commonly used in the United States to describe household waste, especially food waste.
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rubbish |
This term is predominantly used in British English to describe waste material, similar to 'garbage' in American English.
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Examples of usage
- Please do not litter in the park.
- The beach was covered in litter after the holiday weekend.
animals
A group of young animals born to the same mother at the same time. It can refer to a group of puppies, kittens, piglets, or other baby animals.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
litter |
This term is commonly used to refer to a group of young animals, especially those born at the same time to the same mother, such as puppies or kittens.
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offspring |
This term is more scientific and formal, suitable for describing the young of both animals and humans. It is often used in contexts that require a neutral or academic tone.
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young |
This word is often used to describe juvenile animals of any species in a general sense. It is less formal and can be used in everyday conversation.
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brood |
This word is often used for a group of young birds hatched at the same time, or more generally, a family of offspring. It can sometimes have a slightly negative or serious connotation when referring to human families.
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Examples of usage
- The litter of puppies played in the yard.
- The cat had a litter of five kittens.
making a mess
To scatter objects in an untidy or careless way. It can refer to throwing trash or other items around without proper disposal.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
litter |
Used when referring to small items or trash that are carelessly thrown around, often in a public space. It has a negative connotation.
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scatter |
Used when things or people are spread out in different directions, often without a clear pattern.
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disperse |
Used to describe the act of spreading things or people over a wide area, often in an orderly or natural way.
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strew |
Used when objects are spread out on a surface, often in a careless or random manner. It can carry a slightly negative connotation depending on the context.
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Examples of usage
- He tends to litter his room with clothes and books.
- Please do not litter the streets with your waste.
Translations
Translations of the word "litter" in other languages:
๐ต๐น lixo
- detritos
- sujeira
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเฅเคกเคผเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช Mรผll
- Abfall
- Streu
๐ฎ๐ฉ sampah
๐บ๐ฆ ัะผัััั
๐ต๐ฑ ลmieci
- odpadki
- ลmiecenie
๐ฏ๐ต ใใฟ (gomi)
๐ซ๐ท dรฉchets
๐ช๐ธ basura
๐น๐ท รงรถp
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฐ๋ ๊ธฐ (sseuregi)
๐ธ๐ฆ ูู ุงู ุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ odpad
๐ธ๐ฐ odpad
๐จ๐ณ ๅๅพ (lฤjฤซ)
๐ธ๐ฎ smeti
๐ฎ๐ธ rusl
๐ฐ๐ฟ าะพาัั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแแ (nagavi)
๐ฆ๐ฟ zibil
๐ฒ๐ฝ basura
Etymology
The word 'litter' originated from Middle English, where it referred to bedding for animals. Over time, it evolved to include the concept of waste material thrown in public spaces. The verb form of 'litter' developed from the idea of scattering objects in a disorderly manner. Today, 'litter' is commonly associated with environmental pollution and the care of young animals.