Spend vs Waste: What's the Difference?
What's the Difference?
Spend" means to use time or money, while "waste" means to do so inefficiently or wastefully.
Memory Tip: spend = useful, waste = useless
spend has /spɛnd/, waste has /weɪst/
spend /spɛnd/
verbTo use money to buy something.
Example:
I am going to spend my afternoon reading a good book.
Common patterns:
spend money
spend time
waste
verbTo waste means to use something carelessly or without purpose, especially time or resources.
Example:
Don't waste your food; eat what is on your plate.
Common patterns:
waste time
waste money
waste energy
Common Mistakes
I waste my money on groceries every week.
I spend my money on groceries every week.
Buying groceries is a necessary expense, so 'spend' is the correct word.
She spends too much time on social media doing nothing.
She wastes too much time on social media doing nothing.
The time is used inefficiently on social media, so 'waste' is the correct word.
Quick Practice
0/2 correct1. I am going to ____ my afternoon reading a good book.
2. Don't ____ your food; eat what is on your plate.
Other Confusing Words
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