disposable

1 of 2

adjective

dis·​pos·​able di-ˈspō-zə-bəl 

1

: subject to or available for disposal

specifically : remaining to an individual after deduction of taxes and necessary living expenses

disposable income

2

: designed to be used once or only a limited number of times and then thrown away

disposable diapers

Replace the disposable razor when the blade becomes dull.

disposability

di-ˌspō-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

disposable

2 of 2

noun

: something that is disposable

Examples of disposable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

More than 15 flies were on single-service items — those disposable plastic forks and knives — and soda syrup dispensers in the kitchen. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Records also show attempts to create accounts using disposable email, browser, and scanning services. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

Noun

Environmentalists were also crusading against the landfill impact of disposables, with states like Nebraska passing legislation that required them to be made of material that decomposed quickly. — Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 5 Mar. 2026

Xolopak, established in 2014, makes biodegradable wooden cutlery and other sustainable disposables from ice cream sticks to paper containers. — Charlotte Hu, Time, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1963, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disposable

• disposable income

Rhymes for disposable

• decomposable
• indecomposable
• transposable

Kids Definition

disposable

adjective

dis·​pos·​able

dis-ˈpō-zə-bəl

: made to be thrown away after use

a disposable bottle

disposable diapers