Words / B1

LIT-uh-bug/ˈlɪtəbʌɡ/

A litterbug is an informal word for a person who drops rubbish in the street instead of using a bin. Litter is the rubbish; a litterbug is the person. A fly-tipper dumps larger waste; a litterbug drops a wrapper. Countable. Signs and campaigns use the word.

Meaning

A person who drops rubbish in the street (informal).

Examples

• “A sign on the bus shelter asked litterbugs to use the bin.”
• “The park notice said litterbugs would be fined, but the bins were already full.”
• “She called him a litterbug when he dropped the wet-wipe on the pavement.”

Good to know

a litterbug (informal). Contrast: litter (the rubbish) / a fly-tipper (larger dumping). use a bin.

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