Phrase guide

garbage in, garbage out

proverb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

proverb

Meaning 1

If input data are not complete, accurate, and timely, then the resulting output is unreliable and useless. If the input is junk, then the output is junk.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, engineering, human-sciences, information-technology, linguistics, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences, translation-studies

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 垃圾進,垃圾出 /垃圾进 — proverb: output is dependent on input
  • Chinese Mandarin: 垃圾出 (lājī jìn, lājī chū) — proverb: output is dependent on input
  • Finnish: roskaa sisään, roskaa ulos — proverb: output is dependent on input
  • German: GIGO — proverb: output is dependent on input
  • German: wer misst, misst Mist — proverb: output is dependent on input
  • Greek: εισερχόμενα δεδομένα εξερχόμενα δεδομένα (eiserchómena dedoména exerchómena dedoména) — proverb: output is dependent on input
  • Khmer: ទុកមិនចំណេញ ដកចេញមិនខាត (tuk mɨn cɑmnəɲ dɑɑk cəɲ mɨn khaat) — proverb: output is dependent on input
  • Spanish: basura entra, basura sale — proverb: output is dependent on input