trash

[ trash ]

noun

1. anything worthless, useless, or discarded; rubbish.
2. foolish or pointless ideas, talk, or writing; nonsense.
3. a worthless or disreputable person.
4. such persons collectively.
5. literary or artistic material of poor or inferior quality.

   Synonyms: tripe, rubbish, twaddle, hogwash, rot, drivel

6. broken or torn bits, as twigs, splinters, rags, or the like.
7. something that is broken or lopped off from anything in preparing it for use.
8. the refuse of sugarcane after the juice has been expressed.
9. Computers. an icon of a trash can that is used to delete files dragged onto it.

verb (used with object)

1. Slang. to destroy, damage, or vandalize, as in anger or protest:

   The slovenly renters had trashed the house.

2. to condemn, dismiss, or criticize as worthless:

   The article trashed several recent best-sellers.

3. to remove the outer leaves of (a growing sugarcane plant).
4. to free from superfluous twigs or branches.

trash

¹

/ træʃ /

verb

1. tr to restrain with or as if with a lead

noun

1. a lead for a dog

trash

²

/ træʃ /

noun

1. foolish ideas or talk; nonsense
2. useless or unwanted matter or objects
3. a literary or artistic production of poor quality
4. a poor or worthless person or a group of such people
5. bits that are broken or lopped off, esp the trimmings from trees or plants
6. the dry remains of sugar cane after the juice has been extracted

verb

1. to remove the outer leaves and branches from (growing plants, esp sugar cane)
2. slang.
   to attack or destroy (someone or something) wilfully or maliciously

Derived Forms

• ˈtrashery, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of trash¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English trasches (plural), apparently cognate with Norwegian trask “rubbish”; akin to Old English trus “brushwood,” Old Norse tros “rubbish”

Word History and Origins

Origin of trash¹

C17: perhaps from obsolete French tracier to track, trace ¹

Origin of trash²

C16: of obscure origin; perhaps related to Norwegian trask

Example Sentences

This is how Lili Anolik found herself digging through the mildewed trash pile of Eve Babitz’s personal effects after her death in late 2021.

From Los Angeles Times

Rams edge rusher Jared Verse has transformed into quite a trash talker but so far the rookie has been able to back up most of what he has said.

From Los Angeles Times

"We're playing like trash," was Jets wide receiver Garret Wilson's verdict.

From BBC

As the computer equipment was in the hands of the security forces, suspicion has fallen on someone there, who, perhaps, sought to trash Mr Engonga’s reputation ahead of a trial.

From BBC

“In recent years, obviously, there’s been a lot more homelessness on the streets, along with more trash,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• debris
• droppings
• junk
• litter
• residue
• rubbish
• rubble
• sediment
• waste