Litter: meaning, definitions and examples

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litter

[ˈlɪtər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

environment

Waste material that is thrown away, especially in public places. Litter can include items such as bottles, cans, wrappers, and other trash.

Synonyms

garbage, rubbish, trash.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
litter	Usually refers to small pieces of waste that people leave on the ground in public places, particularly in streets and parks. Please do not litter the park I saw a lot of litter on the beach
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. Throw the old papers in the trash The trash bin is full
garbage	Commonly used in the United States to describe household waste, especially food waste. Can you take out the garbage? The garbage truck comes every Wednesday
rubbish	This term is predominantly used in British English to describe waste material, similar to 'garbage' in American English. The council collects rubbish every Monday There's so much rubbish on the street after the festival

Examples of usage

Please do not litter in the park.
The beach was covered in litter after the holiday weekend.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

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

brood, offspring, young.

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. The dog had a litter of six puppies last week
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. The research focused on the offspring of the endangered species Her offspring have all gone to prestigious universities
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. The lioness protects her young from predators The young deer stayed close to their mother
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. The hen looked after her brood carefully She grew up in a large brood of children

Examples of usage

The litter of puppies played in the yard.
The cat had a litter of five kittens.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

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

disperse, scatter, strew.

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. People who litter in the park disrespect the environment. The street was littered with empty bottles after the concert.
scatter	Used when things or people are spread out in different directions, often without a clear pattern. The children scattered when the bell rang. He scattered the seeds across the field.
disperse	Used to describe the act of spreading things or people over a wide area, often in an orderly or natural way. The police dispersed the crowd after the protest. Seeds are dispersed by the wind.
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. Clothes were strewn all over the floor. Flowers were strewn across the pathway for the wedding.

Examples of usage

He tends to litter his room with clothes and books.
Please do not litter the streets with your waste.

Interesting Facts

Environmental Impact

Litter contributes to pollution, harming the environment and wildlife. Animals may ingest it, mistaking it for food.
Studies show that areas with more litter experience increased crime rates, as litter can lead to a sense of neglect in a community.
Cleaning up litter can lead to improved mental health for individuals and promote a sense of community pride.

Cultural Perspectives

Different cultures have varying views on litter. In many developed countries, littering is seen as disrespectful and is often accompanied by fines.
In some areas, creative art installations have turned litter into something beautiful, raising awareness about waste issues.
Community clean-up events have become popular worldwide, emphasizing collective responsibility for local environments.

Historical Instances

The concept of 'litter' has been around since urban areas began developing, with waste management practices evolving over centuries.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a massive area of litter found in the ocean, showcasing the long-term impact of neglecting waste disposal.
In the 1960s, anti-litter campaigns began to rise significantly in response to growing concerns about pollution and environmental health.

Public Awareness Campaigns

Famous campaigns like 'Keep America Beautiful' encouraged citizens to take responsibility for their litter since its launch in the 1950s.
Educational programs in schools teach children about the importance of keeping their surroundings clean and the effects of litter.
Global events like World Cleanup Day mobilize millions of volunteers to address litter issues, emphasizing teamwork and communal efforts.

Science of Waste

Plastic, a common component of litter, can take hundreds of years to decompose, significantly affecting ecosystems.
Research indicates that some types of litter can leach harmful chemicals into soil and water, potentially harming human health and wildlife.
Microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic from litter, have been found in foods and drinking water, raising concerns about their impact on health.

Translations

Translations of the word "litter" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lixo

detritos
sujeira

🇮🇳 कूड़ा

🇩🇪 Müll

Abfall
Streu

🇮🇩 sampah

🇺🇦 сміття

🇵🇱 śmieci

odpadki
śmiecenie

🇯🇵 ごみ (gomi)

🇫🇷 déchets

🇪🇸 basura

🇹🇷 çöp

🇰🇷 쓰레기 (sseuregi)

🇸🇦 قمامة

🇨🇿 odpad

🇸🇰 odpad

🇨🇳 垃圾 (lājī)

🇸🇮 smeti

🇮🇸 rusl

🇰🇿 қоқыс

🇬🇪 ნაგავი (nagavi)

🇦🇿 zibil

🇲🇽 basura

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,379 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
8376 shout
8377 parasites
8378 enquiry
8379 litter
8380 coincide
8381 rust
8382 randomly
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