litter
Americannoun
-
objects strewn or scattered about; scattered rubbish.
-
a condition of disorder or untidiness.
We were appalled at the litter of the room.
- Synonyms:
- clutter
-
a number of young brought forth by a multiparous animal at one birth.
a litter of six kittens.
-
a framework of cloth stretched between two parallel bars, for the transportation of a sick or wounded person; stretcher.
-
a vehicle carried by people or animals, consisting of a bed or couch, often covered and curtained, suspended between shafts.
-
straw, hay, or the like, used as bedding for animals or as protection for plants.
-
the layer of slightly decomposed organic material on the surface of the floor of the forest.
verb (used with object)
-
to strew (a place) with scattered objects, rubbish, etc..
to be fined for littering the sidewalk.
-
to scatter (objects) in disorder.
They littered their toys from one end of the playroom to the other.
- Synonyms:
- derange, disarrange
-
to be strewn about (a place) in disorder (often followed byup ).
Bits of paper littered the floor.
-
to give birth to (young), as a multiparous animal.
-
to supply (an animal) with litter for a bed.
-
to use (straw, hay, etc.) for litter.
-
to cover (a floor or other area) with straw, hay, etc., for litter.
verb (used without object)
-
to give birth to a litter.
The cat had littered in the closet.
-
to strew objects about.
If you litter, you may be fined.
idioms
noun
-
-
small refuse or waste materials carelessly dropped, esp in public places
-
( as modifier )
litter bin
-
-
a disordered or untidy condition or a collection of objects in this condition
-
a group of offspring produced at one birth by a mammal such as a sow
-
a layer of partly decomposed leaves, twigs, etc, on the ground in a wood or forest
-
straw, hay, or similar material used as bedding, protection, etc, by animals or plants
-
See cat litter
-
a means of conveying people, esp sick or wounded people, consisting of a light bed or seat held between parallel sticks
verb
-
to make (a place) untidy by strewing (refuse)
-
to scatter (objects, etc) about or (of objects) to lie around or upon (anything) in an untidy fashion
-
(of pigs, cats, etc) to give birth to (offspring)
-
(tr) to provide (an animal or plant) with straw or hay for bedding, protection, etc
Synonym Usage
See brood.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
antilitteradjective
-
litterernoun
-
antilitteringadjective
-
de-litterverb (used with object)
-
unlitteredadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has litteredperfect 3rd person singular
-
have litteredperfect
-
are litteringprogressive
-
am litteringprogressive 1st person singular
-
have been litteringperfect progressive
-
has been litteringperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
is litteringprogressive 3rd person singular
-
litteringparticiple
-
litterssingular 3rd person
Past
-
had litteredperfect
-
was litteringprogressive singular
-
were litteringprogressive plural
-
litteredparticiple
-
litteredsimple
-
had been litteringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of litter
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English litere “bed, litter,” from Anglo-French; Old French litiere, from Medieval Latin lectāria, equivalent to Latin lect(us) “bed” + -āria feminine of -ārius noun suffix; see -er 2
Explanation
If everyone decided to litter, or drop trash on the ground, the world would be covered in garbage. Litter doesn't always have to be trashy though. When a cat has kittens, they are born as a litter. Don't be confused when you go to England and see the word litter written all over garbage cans. That's just the Brits' way of saying trash. The word litter comes from the Old French litiere meaning "bed." Animals like dogs or cats have their offspring all in one birth, or on the same bed, making what we call a litter, or group of babies.
Vocabulary lists containing litter
Aztec, Maya, and Inca Empires - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Charlotte's Web": Chapter One
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In April, a mother spoke of her horror after her son came across a number of dead lambs while out litter picking near the village of Cappagh.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
"There's also a big litter problem," said Bleese.
From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026
Even so, Arrington said using organic poultry litter has put him in a better position to deal with the rise in prices for synthetic fertilizers.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026
Then there’s the approach Arrington is taking — using an alternative fertilizer like poultry litter.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026
They took down abandoned buildings and hauled away truckloads of litter.
From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
