litter

• Nom ayant plusieurs sens : il peut désigner des déchets abandonnés dans les lieux publics, une portée de petits animaux nés d'une même mère, ou un moyen de transport constitué d'une civière portée par des personnes ou des animaux.

A noun with multiple meanings: it can refer to waste material discarded in public places, a group of young animals born to an animal at one time, or a bed-like vehicle carried by people or animals.

1. Waste or trashA2formal

   Small pieces of rubbish such as paper, cans, and bottles left in public places.

   déchets abandonnés

   • Please do not drop litter on the street.
   • The park was covered in litter after the festival.
   • Volunteers collected litter from the beach.

   Synonymesdebrisgarbagejunkrefuserubbishscraptrashwaste

2. Group of young animalsB1formal

   A number of young animals born to an animal at one time.

   Portée

   • The cat gave birth to a litter of five kittens.
   • The farmer's dog had a litter of puppies last week.
   • A litter of piglets was born on the farm this morning.

   Synonymesbroodoffspringyoung

3. Cat litterA2informal

   Absorbent material used in a box for a cat to urinate and defecate indoors.

   Litière pour chat

   • I need to buy more cat litter for the box.
   • She cleaned the litter box every morning.
   • The cat refused to use the new brand of litter.

   Synonymeskitty litter

• Verbe désignant l'action de jeter ou de laisser négligemment des objets çà et là, ou le fait qu'un lieu soit encombré de choses dispersées.

A verb used to indicate the act of scattering or dropping objects carelessly, or to describe a state of being filled with scattered items.

1. Scatter trashA2formal

   To make a place messy by leaving trash or objects scattered around.

   jeter des détritus

   • People who litter in the park can be fined.
   • Please do not litter the streets with cigarette butts.
   • The wind littered the yard with leaves and branches.

   Synonymescluttermess upscatterstrew

2. Fill or cover untidilyB1formal

   To fill or cover a space with many things in a messy way.

   joncher

   • Her desk was littered with papers and books.
   • The floor was littered with toys after the children played.
   • The internet is littered with misleading information.

   Synonymesbestrewclutterdisarraydisorderjumblemess upscatterstrew

   Antonymescleancleartidy

3. Give birth (animals)B2formal

   To give birth to a group of young animals (e.g., puppies, kittens).

   Mettre bas (portée)

   • The cat littered four healthy kittens last night.
   • Our dog is expected to litter next month.
   • The sow littered a large number of piglets.

   Synonymesbeargive birthkindlewhelp