The words “waist” and “waste” are homophones, so they sound the same but have different meanings. Because of their differences, you won’t want to mix these words up in your writing. Find out how to use them correctly with our helpful guide.
“Waist” is a noun that refers to the part of the body between the hips and chest:
Tie your karate belt around your waist.
You’ll also see this spelling in words like “waistline” (a person’s measurements around the waist) and “waistband” (the waist section of an item of clothing).
More rarely, “waist” can refer to a mid-section of a vehicle, such as the central deck of a ship. However, it usually refers to part of the human body.
“Waste” has a range of uses related to something being unwanted or used badly. As a noun, for example, it can refer to unwanted or useless materials:
The city council collects household waste weekly.
Or it can refer to a poor or inefficient use of something:
Counting needles on a pine tree is a waste of time.
As a verb, meanwhile, it typically means “spend or use carelessly”:
Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.
Don’t waste your money on a toaster that doesn’t work.
It can even be an adjective meaning “unwanted or not needed”:
Make sure to recycle waste paper.
This term has other uses (e.g., to “lay waste” to something is to destroy it). But in most cases, “waste” is related to unwanted matter or the poor use of something.
Although these words sound the same, they mean different things:
One way to tell these homophones apart is to remember the following phrase:
I have a waist, and “waist” has an “i.”
In other words, when you’re referring to the body part (or something related to the body part), you’ll need the spelling with an “i.” In other cases, the correct spelling will be “waste.” And if you’d like more help with your writing, we have expert editors available 24/7. Upload a document for a free proofreading trial today.
Δ
5-minute read
Promoting a brand means sharing valuable insights to connect more deeply with your audience, and...
6-minute read
If you’re seeking funding to support your charitable endeavors as a nonprofit organization, you’ll need...
9-minute read
Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...
8-minute read
Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...
7-minute read
Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...
4-minute read
Are you a creative freelancer looking to make a lasting impression on potential clients or...