Standard Lemma guide

wasteman

noun · 2 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

noun

Meaning 1

A person employed to examine the state of the mine workings, to check that they are properly ventilated, and sometimes to build pillars to support the roof in the waste.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: historical

Topics: business, mining

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A loser, bum, degenerate; someone who wastes their life in some manner.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Multicultural-London-English, derogatory

Examples

  • He said he cared for me but he just used me for my money. I'm done with that wasteman.
  • Tommy says he's a NEET at 30 who never worked a day in his life and loves it; a total wasteman if I ever saw one.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From waste + -man.