single-use
SING-guhl-yooss
/ˌsɪŋɡəlˈjuːs/
Designed to be used once and then discarded or recycled.
Emphasizes the disposable nature of an item, often carrying a negative environmental connotation in modern usage.
The story behind the word. This is a modern compound word that rose to prominence in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It was coined to describe the massive wave of cheap, plastic consumer goods designed for convenience. In 2018, 'single-use' was named the Word of the Year by Collins Dictionary due to its cultural impact.
Word relationships
- disposable: Disposable is a broader, older term for anything meant to be thrown away, while single-use specifically highlights the ecological inefficiency of using an item only once.
- throwaway: Throwaway is a more casual, slightly critical adjective for disposable goods.
- reusable: Reusable items are designed to be used multiple times, reducing waste.
- durable: Durable goods are built to last for a long time, the opposite of temporary, single-use items.
Commonly confused with
- recyclable: An item can be single-use but still recyclable (like an aluminum soda can), whereas some single-use items cannot be recycled at all (like plastic wrap).
Collocations
- single-use plastic
- single-use items
- single-use packaging
- ban single-use
Example sentences
- "Many cities have banned single-use plastic bags in an effort to reduce ocean pollution." A news report on environmental legislation.
- "Replacing single-use coffee cups with a travel mug can save hundreds of cups from landfills each year." A tip for reducing household waste.
Memory hook
It does exactly what it says: you use it a 'single' time, and then it's done. Single-use: Use once, throw away.
When not to use
Do not use to describe items that are simply fragile or broke after one use; it must be designed for only one use (like a plastic straw).
Fun facts
- The average useful lifespan of a single-use plastic grocery bag is just 12 minutes, yet it can take up to 500 years to degrade in a landfill.
Related words
Explore more words
monoculture, discard, unilateral, disposal, ephemeral, closed-loop
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.