litter

/ˈlɪt.ɚ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: litters · littering · littered

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Straw, grass, and similar loose material used as bedding for people or animals.

Noun

Examples

Quen he had made me hale and fere

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Straw, grass, and similar loose material used as bedding for people or animals. — Animal bedding together with its dung.

Noun

Examples

Silkworms... must be well cleansed from the litter.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To drop or throw trash without properly disposing of it (as discarding in public areas rather than trash receptacles).

Verb

Examples

By tossing the bottle out the window, he was littering.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To scatter carelessly about.

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “litter” mean?

Straw, grass, and similar loose material used as bedding for people or animals.

Is “litter” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.