--- title: 'Single-Use' Is Named Collins Dictionary's Word of the Year description: Single-Use, referring to products made to only be used once, has been selected as Collins Dictionary's Word of the Year 2018 following our growing awareness of plastic pollution. image: https://www.thriveability.co.uk/hubfs/Blog_Featured_Main/WOMAN-BOOK-NAILS-1.jpg --- [![Thrive Logo](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/hubfs/thrive-logo-pink-1.svg)](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/) - [What We Do](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/what-we-do) - [About](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/about-us) - [Approach](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/approach) - [Work](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/work) - [Blog](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/blog) - [Contact](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/contact) Blog # 'Single-Use' Is Named Collins Dictionary's Word of the Year November 16, 2018 5 Minute Read By Sarah Burns ## 'Single-use' has been selected as Collins Dictionary's Word of the Year 2018, highlighting the mainstream environmental issues with how we use - and throw away - plastic and other products. Each year Collins Dictionary chooses a [Word of the Year](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/woty), which often highlights the biggest conversation or trend of the year, with previous winners including, Fake News (2017), Brexit (2016) and Binge-Watch (2015). Single-use products have come into focus following the [award-winning documentary, Blue Planet II](https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-08-29/blue-planet-2-plastic-waste-final-episode/), which highlighted the damage our throw-away plastics is doing to the ocean, our ocean's wildlife and the climate. This has been followed with the [European Parliament backing a ban on single-use plastics](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/24/european-parliament-approves-ban-on-single-use-plastics-uk-eu-brexit) like cotton buds, disposable tableware and straws (a move backed by pub chain [Wetherspoon who banned plastic straws in 2018](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-43567958)). > **Single-use:** Made to be used once only (adjective) [![181031_Collins-Gifs_Single-Use_SU-v2-SMALL](https://resources.collins.co.uk/Dictionary/Word%20Of%20The%20Year%202018/181031_Collins-Gifs_Single-Use_SU-v2-SMALL.gif)](https://resources.collins.co.uk/Dictionary/Word%20Of%20The%20Year%202018/181031_Collins-Gifs_Single-Use_SU-v2-SMALL.gif) The total list of words nominated for the Word of the Year are as follows: ### Backstop A system that will come into effect if no other arrangement is made (noun) ### Floss A dance in which people twist their hips in one direction while swinging their arms in the opposite direction with the fists closed (noun) ### Gammon A person, typically male, middle-aged, and white, with reactionary views, especially one who supports the withdrawal of Britain from the European Union (noun) ### Gaslight To attempt to manipulate (a person) by continually presenting them with false information until they doubt their sanity (verb) ### MeToo Denoting a cultural movement that seeks to expose and eradicate predatory sexual behaviour, especially in the workplace (adjective) ### Plogging A recreational activity, originating in Sweden, that combines jogging with picking up litter (noun) ### Single-use Made to be used once only (adjective) ### VAR Abbreviation for video assistant referee ### Vegan A person who refrains from using any animal product whatever for food, clothing, or any other purpose (noun) ### Whitewash To cast a white actor in the role of (a character from a minority ethnic group) or to produce (a film or play) using white actors to play characters from a minority ethnic group (verb) #### Share this post... 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