ESEN
Which one to use?Intermediatenounnoun / verb
WaistvsWaste
'Waist' is the narrow part of the body between the chest and hips; 'waste' means to use carelessly or material discarded.
Side-by-side comparison
Waist
noun"Waist" is the narrowed part of the torso between the chest and hips. "Waistline" = the measurement around the waist. "Waist-deep" = submerged up to the waist.
The tailor measured her waist for the dress.
He wore the bag across his waist for security.
The belt did not fit around his waist comfortably.
Waste
noun / verb"Waste" as a noun is discarded or unused material. As a verb it means to use something carelessly. "What a waste!" = how unfortunate and unnecessary. "Don't waste time" = use your time well.
Don't waste electricity, turn off the lights when you leave.
The factory reduced its industrial waste by thirty percent.
Leaving food on your plate is a waste when so many people are hungry.
Common mistake
- •Common writing error: "What a waist of time" when meaning something squandered (correct: waste).
- •Or "She measured her waste" when talking about the body part (correct: waist).
Trick to remember it
- •"Waist" has AI like "waist-line", the line around your middle.
- •"Waste" has no extra I, careless, pointless, like wasting itself.
Quick rule
Is it the body part between chest and hips? "Waist." Is it careless use or discarded material? "Waste."
Did you know?
The word WAIST in Old English meant "growth", the waist was the part of the body where central growth occurred. The expression "waistline" arose in the 19th century with Victorian corset fashion, when the waist became a symbol of femininity and its measurement became socially significant. As for WASTE, wastewater treatment is one of the most important public health advances in history, before modern sewage systems, cholera and other waterborne diseases decimated entire cities.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
This dress fits perfectly around the _____ . It's just my size.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Don't _____ your money on things you don't need.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
AcceptvsExcept
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
AdvicevsAdvise
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
AffectvsEffect
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
AislevsIsle
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy