What is the difference between waste and waist?

Waste means to use something badly, or the garbage that is left over: don’t waste food; food waste. Waist is the narrow part of your body above your hips.

Is it a waste of time or a waist of time?

A waste of time — you are using time badly. Waist is only the part of your body where a belt goes.

How do I remember waste vs waist?

Wa is t contains is , and your waist is part of your body. Waste ends like taste and paste — it is about food, time, and money you throw away.

Level: B1

Waste vs Waist

Waste (to use badly; garbage) and waist (the narrow part of your body) sound exactly the same. Remember: waist contains is, and your waist is part of your body. Practice with the sentences below.

🔍 Confused words · pair 49 of 54 ⏱ about 5 minutes 🔊 every sentence has audio

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Waste – to use time, money, or food badly; also what is thrown away.
Please do not ______ food. – waste
That movie was a ______ of time. – waste
Do not ______ water while you brush your teeth. – waste
We ______ too much paper at the office. – waste
Buying that phone was a ______ of money. – waste
The factory dumps its ______ into the river. – waste
Do not ______ your energy on small problems. – waste
Food ______ is a big problem in cities. – waste
He hates to ______ a good opportunity. – waste
The city recycles most of its ______. – waste
Why ______ a whole afternoon in line? – waste
Plastic ______ washes up on the beach. – waste
Do not ______ the leftovers from dinner. – waste
It is a ______ to throw away those clothes. – waste
She does not ______ a single minute. – waste
The truck collects ______ every Tuesday. – waste
I do not want to ______ your time. – waste
Nuclear ______ must be stored safely. – waste
He called the meeting a complete ______. – waste
Farmers use animal ______ as fertilizer. – waste
Do not ______ paper when you print. – waste
Waist – the narrow part of your body above your hips.
These pants are tight at the ______. – waist
He tied a rope around his ______. – waist
The water came up to my ______. – waist
The tailor measured my ______. – waist
She has a very small ______. – waist
Bend at the ______ to touch your toes. – waist
This dress is loose around the ______. – waist
My ______ is thirty inches. – waist
The apron ties behind the ______. – waist
He wore a wide belt at his ______. – waist
The snow was up to her ______. – waist
These jeans sit high on the ______. – waist
The jacket is narrow at the ______. – waist
She put both hands on her ______. – waist
The swimmer stood in water up to his ______. – waist
Measure around your ______ with a tape. – waist
The skirt is too big at the ______. – waist
A thick belt hid his ______. – waist
The ______ of these pants is too small. – waist
The safety strap goes around your ______. – waist
Long grass grew up to my ______. – waist

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between waste and waist?: Waste means to use something badly, or the garbage that is left over: don’t waste food; food waste. Waist is the narrow part of your body above your hips.
Is it a waste of time or a waist of time?: A waste of time — you are using time badly. Waist is only the part of your body where a belt goes.
How do I remember waste vs waist?: Waist contains is, and your waist is part of your body. Waste ends like taste and paste — it is about food, time, and money you throw away.