wastrel

[ wey-struhl ]

noun

1. a wasteful person; spendthrift:

   The wastrel had squandered his inheritance, and then came to her, looking for a handout.

2. Chiefly British.
   1. refuse; waste.
   2. a waif; abandoned child.
   3. an idler or good-for-nothing.

wastrel

/ ˈweɪstrəl /

noun

1. a wasteful person; spendthrift; prodigal
2. an idler or vagabond

Word History and Origins

Origin of wastrel¹

First recorded in 1580–90; waste + -rel

Example Sentences

The story of three young suburban wastrels looking for a way out of the American capitalist wasteland struck me as a luxury we can’t really afford at this hinge moment in history.

From Los Angeles Times

“Let’s get rid of this wastrel. He’s not worth the effort.”

From Literature

As Kaplan points out — and as Jefferson knew — Virginia’s agrarian population had its share of “loafers, wastrels, alcoholics, gamblers, sexual adventurers, and abusive husbands.”

From Washington Post

But he wants to shake the dust from the name of Getty: to show that the majority are not drug-addled wastrels but productive citizens.

From New York Times

Don’t let me down you whiny woke wastrels!

From BBC