B2noun2K

Litter

UK /["/ˈlɪtə(r)/"]/US /["/ˈlɪtər/"]/

Definition

small pieces of rubbish such as paper, cans and bottles, that people have left lying in a public place

In simple words: Trash or waste that is left in public places

Examples

  • There was so much litter on the beach that volunteers organized a cleanup.
  • Please put your trash in the bin to avoid creating litter in the park.
  • The city council is planning new rules to reduce litter on the streets.
  • She always gets annoyed when people leave litter behind after picnics.
  • The dog had a litter of five puppies born last night.
  • Farmers spread straw as litter on the barn floor for the animals’ comfort.
  • A litter of kittens usually stays together during their first weeks of life.
  • The stable was cleaned thoroughly to replace the old horse litter with fresh bedding.

Usage notes

Use 'litter' in contexts discussing cleanliness or the environment. It's appropriate in educational and community discussions but less common in casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

verb + object

Memory hint

Think of 'let it be' – when something is littered, people just let it be instead of cleaning it up.

Collocations

  • pile
  • drop
  • leave
  • clean up
  • be strewn
  • basket
  • bin
  • lout

Synonyms

  • debris
  • trash
  • waste
  • refuse
  • garbage

Antonyms

  • cleanliness
  • orderliness
  • tidiness

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'litter' with 'liter' (a unit of measurement)
  • Using 'litter' as a noun for types of trash instead of its general meaning
  • Mixing up 'litter' with 'clutter' (which refers to disorder at home)