throwaway

[ throh-uh-wey ]

adjective

1. made or intended to be discarded after use or quick examination:

   a throwaway container;

   a throwaway brochure.

2. delivered or expressed casually or extemporaneously:

   a funny throwaway line that brings applause.

noun

1. something that is made or intended to be discarded.
2. a handbill, advertising circular, pamphlet, etc., intended to be discarded after reading.
3. Also called pushout. Informal: Disparaging and Offensive. a youth who is unwanted or rejected by their family, the school system, or society in general.

throwaway

/ ˈθrəʊəˌweɪ /

adjective

1. said or done incidentally, esp for rhetorical effect; casual

   a throwaway remark

2. 1. anything designed to be discarded after use rather than reused, refilled, etc; disposable
   2. ( as modifier )

      a throwaway carton

noun

1. a handbill or advertisement distributed in a public place

verb

1. to get rid of; discard
2. to fail to make good use of; waste

   to throw away all one's money on horses

Word History and Origins

Origin of throwaway¹

First recorded in 1900–05; adjective, noun use of verb phrase throw away

Example Sentences

This can be connected in part to recently passed public policy mandating that caterers and restaurants reduce throwaway containers.

From Salon

Badenoch has not ruled out leaving the ECHR, but has repeatedly said there needs to be a bigger plan and not just "a throwaway promise to win a leadership election."

From BBC

To him, it’s a throwaway expression of gratitude.

From Salon

There is a throwaway quote from Hitler, and visual jokes such as Morris igniting a cigarette with a burning light that provide the film with its irreverent verve.

From Salon

For Waterhouse, the discovery of the arachnid wasn’t just throwaway internet fodder — it became a metaphor for her own memoir and, in turn, “Memoir of a Sparklemuffin,” due Sept. 13 on Sub Pop.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• announcement
• broadcast
• commercial
• display
• endorsement
• exhibit
• literature
• notice
• placard
• poster
• propaganda
• publication
• publicity