Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Definition of rubbish noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Oxford3000

rubbish

noun
rubbish pronunciation English ˈrʌbɪʃ rubbish pronunciation American ˈrʌbɪʃ
 
[uncountable]1 (especially British English) things that you throw away because you no longer want or need thema rubbish bag/bina rubbish dump/heap/tipThe streets were littered with rubbish.garden/household rubbish see also garbage, trash2 (British English, informal) (also used as an adjective) something that you think is of poor qualityI thought the play was rubbish!Do we have to listen to this rubbish music?They said I was a rubbish boss.3 (British English, informal) comments, ideas, etc. that you think are stupid or wrong
Synonym
nonsense
Rubbish! You're not fat.You're talking a load of rubbish.It's not rubbish—it's true!
Usage notesUsage note: The environmentEnvironmental damagecause/contribute to climate change/global warmingproduce pollution/CO2/greenhouse (gas) emissionsdamage/destroy the environment/a marine ecosystem/the ozone layer/coral reefsdegrade ecosystems/habitats/the environmentharm the environment/wildlife/marine lifethreaten natural habitats/coastal ecosystems/a species with extinctiondeplete natural resources/the ozone layerpollute rivers and lakes/waterways/the air/the atmosphere/the environment/oceanscontaminate groundwater/the soil/food/cropslog forests/rainforests/treesProtecting the environmentaddress/combat/tackle the threat/effects/impact of climate changefight/take action on/reduce/stop global warminglimit/curb/control air/water/atmospheric/environmental pollutioncut/reduce pollution/greenhouse gas emissionsoffset carbon/CO2 emissionsreduce (the size of) your carbon footprintachieve/promote sustainable developmentpreserve/conserve biodiversity/natural resourcesprotect endangered species/a coastal ecosystemprevent/stop soil erosion/overfishing/massive deforestation/damage to ecosystemsraise awareness of environmental issuessave the planet/the rainforests/an endangered speciesEnergy and resourcesconserve/save/consume/waste energymanage/exploit/be rich in natural resourcesdump/dispose of hazardous/toxic/nuclear wastedispose of/throw away litter/(especially British English) rubbish/(especially North American English) garbage/(North American English) trash/sewageuse/be made from recycled/recyclable/biodegradable materialrecycle bottles/packaging/paper/plastic/wastepromote/encourage recycling/sustainable development/the use of renewable energydevelop/invest in/promote renewable energyreduce your dependence/reliance on fossil fuelsget/obtain/generate/produce electricity from wind, solar and wave power/renewable sourcesbuild/develop a (50-megawatt/offshore) wind farminstall/be fitted with/be powered by solar panelsUsage notesUsage note: rubbish / garbage / trash / refuseRubbish is the usual word in British English for the things that you throw away because you no longer want or need them. Garbage and trash are both used in North American English. Inside the home, garbage tends to mean waste food and other wet material, while trash is paper, cardboard and dry material.In British English, you put your rubbish in a dustbin in the street to be collected by the dustmen. In North American English, your garbage and trash goes in a garbage/trashcan in the street and is collected by garbage men/collectors.Refuse is a formal word and is used in both British English and North American English. Refuse collector is the formal word for a dustman or garbage collector.