Etymology Map
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Waste

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to use carelessly; unwanted material

Where does the word "waste" come from? It comes from Latin vastus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
vastus
Latin · ancient
"empty, desolate"
the root of 'vast' and 'devastate'
2
Stage 2 of 3
wast
Old French · medieval
"desolate land"
Frankish 'wosti' gave the w-sound
3
Stage 3 of 3
waste
English · 1200s
"wild land; to squander"
'waste of time' dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Waste’s story begins in Latin: vastus meant “empty, desolate.” The root of 'vast' and 'devastate'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as wast. Frankish 'wosti' gave the w-sound. It reached English by 1200s as waste. 'waste of time' dates from the 1500s. Today, waste means to use carelessly; unwanted material.