French word

déchet

Pronunciation

IPA/deʃɛ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounwaste

Example

Il faut trier les déchets.

The waste must be sorted.

Illustration for déchet (waste)

More examples

Les déchets non recyclables vont dans la poubelle grise.

Non-recyclable waste goes in the gray trash bin.

Core concept

A discarded object or material left over after its useful purpose is finished.

Common phrases

  • déchet non recyclable

    non-recyclable waste

  • déchet ménager

    household waste

Similar words

ordure: Often dirty household rubbish that is thrown away.
reste: Food that remains uneaten and is discarded.

Definition in French

Objet ou matière que l'on jette parce qu'il n'a plus d'utilité, surtout ce qui provient des foyers.

Word origin

Déchet comes from Old French déchet and is related to déchoir, 'to fall away', ultimately linked to Latin cadere, 'to fall'.

Usage tips

  • Déchet is masculine, so the singular forms are un déchet and le déchet.

Other meanings

  • scrapnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • déchetteriewaste disposal centernoun

Word lists with this word