Word
discard
Meanings
to throw something away or get rid of it because it is no longer useful or wanted
to stop using or considering an idea, plan, or belief
to remove a card from your hand and place it aside in a card game
Definition
To discard something is to get rid of it because you no longer want or need it.
To discard means to throw something away or remove it from use, often because it is unnecessary, outdated, or unwanted. You can discard physical objects, but you can also discard ideas, plans, or assumptions. The word suggests a deliberate decision rather than an accident.
Examples
- I had to discard the draft after realizing my argument was built on a flawed assumption.
- You should discard any sources that you cannot verify independently.
- He decided to discard the initial proposal and start again with clearer priorities.
- She refused to discard her long-term goal just because the first attempt failed.
- They will discard the outdated equipment once the replacement arrives.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use "discard" as a synonym for "ignore" in all contexts, but it usually means deliberately getting rid of something or rejecting it entirely.
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.