Environmental Pollution Vocabulary

verb to make dirty with grime or dirt

• The old building was begrimed with decades of soot and grime.
• I need to clean my car, it's totally begrimed from the muddy roads.
• After working in the garage all day, his hands were completely begrimed.
• The scandal begimed his reputation, leaving a lasting stain on his career.

noun a disgusting or corrupt place or situation

• The city workers were tasked with cleaning out the cesspool located behind the old abandoned factory.
• I can't believe the state of that backyard, it's like a cesspool back there!
• This place is a total cesspool, let's get out of here.
• The toxic work environment had become a cesspool of gossip and backstabbing.

noun the action or policy of preventing the expansion of a hostile country or influence

• The containment of hazardous materials is crucial for environmental safety.
• Make sure the containment lid is securely fastened before transporting the chemicals.
• We need to keep the containment area on lockdown to prevent any leaks.
• His emotions were like a dam, struggling to maintain containment before finally bursting out.

verb to make something impure or polluted by contact or mixture with something unclean or harmful

• The factory's waste disposal practices led to the contamination of the nearby river.
• Don't contaminate the kitchen counters with raw meat juices.
• I accidentally contaminated my phone with water when it fell in the toilet.
• Negative thoughts can contaminate your mind if you don't practice mindfulness.

noun water in which dishes are washed

• The dishwater was still warm as I began scrubbing the plates.
• Ew, the dishwater is so gross after washing all those dishes.
• I accidentally spilled the dishwater all over the floor.
• Her personality was as dull as dishwater.

noun the act of scattering or spreading widely

verb to scatter or spread widely

• The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd of protesters.
• The security guards dispersed the rowdy teenagers hanging around the mall.
• The party got busted and everyone had to disperse before the cops showed up.
• The rumors about the CEO's resignation quickly dispersed throughout the office.

verb to pull or haul something or someone into a particular place or situation forcefully or unwillingly

• Please do not drag in irrelevant information during the presentation.
• Don't drag in your personal problems into our conversation.
• Let's not drag in drama into this situation.
• It's important not to drag in past mistakes when moving forward.

adjective appearing wet and dirty, as if dragged through mud or water

• The draggled state of her dress indicated she had been caught in the rain.
• She looked draggled after running through the mud.
• Her hair was all draggled from the wind.
• The team's spirit was draggled after their third consecutive loss.

noun liquid waste or sewage discharged into a river or the sea

adjective flowing out or forth

• The effluent from the factory was carefully monitored to ensure it met environmental standards.
• The effluent coming out of that place smells terrible.
• I can't believe they're dumping effluent into the river, that's messed up.
• His speech was like effluent, flowing endlessly without any substance.

noun a slight or invisible exhalation or vapor, especially one that is disagreeable or noxious

• The effluvium emitted from the factory's smokestacks was a cause for concern among nearby residents.
• The effluvium coming from the sewer was absolutely disgusting.
• I couldn't stand the effluvium wafting from the dumpster behind the restaurant.
• The effluvium of negativity surrounding him was palpable.

noun something that is emitted

• The company is actively working to reduce its carbon emissions.
• Hey, did you know that car emissions contribute to air pollution?
• Dude, that old truck is spewing out some serious emissions.
• His constant emission of excuses is getting tiresome.

verb to apply fertilizing material to (a plant, crop, etc.) in order to promote growth

• Farmers use chemical fertilizers to fertilize their crops and improve yields.
• Don't forget to fertilize the plants in the garden before you go on vacation.
• I heard that using coffee grounds can help fertilize your plants, so I've been saving them up.
• Education is like the fertilizer for the mind, helping ideas grow and flourish.

verb to become rotten or decayed

adjective becoming increasingly worse or more intense, typically as a result of neglect or indifference

• The festering wound required immediate medical attention.
• I can't believe you left that festering garbage in the kitchen for so long.
• That festering drama between them is getting out of hand.
• The festering resentment between the two parties eventually led to a breakdown in communication.

adjective having an offensive odor; stinking

• The fetid odor emanating from the garbage bin was unbearable.
• The fetid smell coming from the old fridge made me gag.
• I can't stand the fetid stench in this place.
• The fetid atmosphere of corruption surrounded the political scandal.

noun useless or discarded objects; odds and ends

• The beach was littered with flotsam and jetsam after the storm.
• There was all sorts of flotsam and jetsam washed up on the shore.
• I can't believe the amount of flotsam and jetsam we found on our beach clean-up.
• In the sea of information online, it's hard to sift through the flotsam and jetsam to find the truth.

noun a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective describing word that gives more information about a noun

• The scientist studied the foul matter found in the contaminated water sample.
• I can't believe the foul matter they found in the old building!
• The garbage dump was full of foul matter that stank to high heaven.
• His mind was clouded with foul matter, preventing him from thinking clearly.

noun an infringement of the rules in a game or sport

verb to make dirty or contaminated

adjective having an unpleasant taste or smell; morally offensive

• The referee called a foul on the player for tripping the opponent.
• I can't believe he fouled out in the first quarter!
• That call was so foul, the ref must be blind!
• His actions were morally foul and unacceptable in any circumstance.

noun a place where waste is deposited and left to decompose or be disposed of

• The city council approved the construction of a new garbage dump on the outskirts of town.
• I heard they're gonna build a new garbage dump near the highway.
• They're gonna dump all that trash in the garbage dump out back.
• Her mind felt like a cluttered garbage dump, full of unwanted thoughts and memories.

noun waste material or unwanted or useless items

adjective describing something as being of poor quality or worthless

• The municipal government is responsible for collecting and disposing of garbage in the city.
• Don't forget to take out the garbage before it starts to smell.
• That movie was total garbage, I want my money back.
• His excuses were just a pile of garbage, he needs to take responsibility for his actions.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• The building's entire structure seemed to go up in smoke within minutes.
• All of his hard work went up in smoke when the project was canceled.
• His chances of winning the competition just went up in smoke.
• Their hopes of a peaceful resolution went up in smoke after the negotiations failed.

noun a sticky or greasy substance

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The mechanic had to clean out the gunk from the engine to get it running smoothly again.
• I accidentally stepped in some gunk on the sidewalk and now my shoes are all dirty.
• I hate it when my hair gets all gunked up with product and I have to wash it out.
• The gunk of negative thoughts was clogging up her mind, making it hard for her to focus on anything positive.

adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate manner, time, place, or degree

• The chemicals in the cleaning solution can harmfully affect your skin if not used properly.
• Eating too much junk food can harmfully impact your health in the long run.
• Gossiping about others can harmfully damage your relationships with them.
• His harsh words harmfully pierced her heart, leaving a lasting emotional scar.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

adverb a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb

preposition a word governing and usually preceding a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

article a word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun, and in some languages extending to volume or numerical scope

• The leaves rustled in the wind as the storm approached.
• Her hair was blowing all over the place in the wind.
• We were just chilling in the wind, enjoying the breeze.
• His words were like whispers in the wind, easily forgotten.

verb to take into the body, as food or liquid

• It is important to carefully consider what substances you ingest into your body.
• Make sure you're not ingesting anything harmful.
• I can't believe you ingested that gross food!
• It's important to be mindful of the information we ingest from the media.

noun the act of taking food, drink, or another substance into the body through the mouth

• Proper ingestion of nutrients is essential for maintaining good health.
• Eating a balanced diet is important for good ingestion of nutrients.
• Make sure you're getting enough fuel in your body for proper ingestion.
• His ingestion of knowledge from books was evident in his insightful conversations.

noun goods or materials thrown overboard from a ship to lighten its load in an emergency

• The coast guard collected the jetsam that washed ashore after the storm.
• I found some cool jetsam on the beach during my morning walk.
• Let's see if we can find any valuable jetsam in this area.
• His mind was filled with jetsam of memories from his past.

noun the act or process of leaching

verb to dissolve out soluble constituents from (ashes, soil, etc.) by percolation

• The chemical process of leaching involves extracting substances from a solid by dissolving them in a liquid.
• I heard that the rain can leach nutrients from the soil, affecting plant growth.
• Don't worry about that spill, I'll just leach it with some water and it'll come right out.
• The constant negative comments from her peers seemed to leach away her confidence over time.

noun something that is left behind or remaining, such as scraps or remnants

• The leavings of the meal were carefully collected and disposed of in the trash.
• I always save the leavings from dinner to use for leftovers the next day.
• Hey, don't throw away those leavings, I can still eat some of that!
• The leavings of his failed business venture left him in financial ruin.

verb The word 'lingering' can also be used as a verb to describe the act of staying in a place longer than necessary, typically because of a reluctance to leave.

adjective The word 'lingering' is an adjective that describes something that is lasting for a long time or slow to end.

• The lingering smell of smoke filled the room after the fire was put out.
• I could feel a lingering sense of unease after watching that horror movie.
• There was a lingering awkwardness between them after their argument.
• The lingering effects of the economic downturn are still being felt by many families.

noun waste material scattered around in an untidy manner

verb to scatter (objects) untidily around a place

• It is important to dispose of litter properly to maintain a clean environment.
• Hey, can you pick up that litter on the ground?
• I can't stand it when people just toss their litter everywhere.
• Her negative thoughts were like litter cluttering her mind.

adjective describing something as having a noxious, unpleasant, or harmful atmosphere or quality

• The miasmic fog enveloped the entire village, causing respiratory issues for the residents.
• I couldn't see anything through the miasmic haze, it was so thick!
• The concert venue was so packed, it felt like a miasmic sauna in there.
• The corruption in the government spread like a miasmic cloud, affecting every aspect of society.

noun a slimy, sticky mixture, especially of mud and filth

verb to make dirty or untidy

• The workers had to clean up the muck that had accumulated in the drainage system.
• I stepped in some muck while walking through the field.
• I can't believe you're still dating that muck of a guy.
• Her mind was mucked with worry and doubt.

adjective harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant

• The laboratory had to be evacuated due to the release of noxious fumes.
• Don't go near that area, it smells noxious.
• The smell coming from that sewer is straight up noxious.
• His noxious behavior towards his colleagues caused tension in the workplace.

adjective describing something that contains or is covered in oil

• The mechanic recommended using an oily rag to clean the machinery.
• I hate how oily my skin gets during the summer.
• I can't stand that guy, he's so oily in his dealings.
• Her words were coated in an oily charm that made them hard to resist.

noun a liquid mixture of hydrocarbons that is present in certain rock strata and can be extracted and refined to produce fuels including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel

• Petroleum is a fossil fuel that is commonly used for energy production.
• My dad works in the petroleum industry, so he knows a lot about oil drilling.
• I heard that there's a huge stash of black gold, aka petroleum, just waiting to be found.
• Her creativity flowed like an endless well of petroleum, fueling her artistic endeavors.

adjective causing or capable of causing death or illness if taken into the body

• The scientist warned that the berries growing in the wild were potentially poisonous.
• Don't touch those plants, they could be poisonous!
• Stay away from those mushrooms, they're totally poisonous.
• His words were like a poisonous snake, injecting doubt into her mind.

adjective having a strong or unpleasant smell or taste as a result of being old and stale

• The smell of the rancid meat filled the room, indicating it had gone bad.
• I accidentally left the milk out and now it's rancid.
• Ew, this cheese is so rancid, I can't eat it.
• The relationship between the two friends had turned rancid after the argument.

noun a flowing back or return

adjective flowing back or returning

• The refluent flow of the river created a mesmerizing sight.
• I love watching the water's refluent movement in the stream.
• Dude, that refluent wave was epic!
• Her emotions were like a refluent tide, ebbing and flowing unpredictably.

noun solid material that settles to the bottom of a liquid

verb None

adjective None

adverb None

pronoun None

preposition None

conjunction None

interjection None

article None

• The sediment at the bottom of the lake provides valuable information about its history.
• I accidentally kicked up some sediment while walking along the riverbank.
• Don't worry about that sediment, just stir it up and keep going.
• The sediment of past experiences can shape our future decisions.

noun a septic tank or system

adjective relating to or caused by infection

• The septic tank needs to be emptied regularly to prevent overflow.
• I think there's something wrong with the septic system in the backyard.
• The septic situation at the cabin is grossing me out.
• The septic atmosphere of negativity was palpable in the room.

noun a thick, muddy substance or sediment found at the bottom of a liquid

verb None

adjective None

adverb None

pronoun None

preposition None

conjunction None

interjection None

article None

• The wastewater treatment plant is responsible for removing sludge from the sewage before releasing it back into the environment.
• I accidentally stepped in some sludge while walking through the construction site.
• I can't believe you're still using that old sludge of a computer.
• The negative comments on social media were like emotional sludge weighing me down.

verb past tense of soil, meaning to make dirty or stained

adjective dirty or stained

• The soiled tablecloth needed to be washed immediately.
• I accidentally spilled my drink and soiled the carpet.
• I can't believe you soiled your pants at the party!
• Her reputation was soiled by the scandalous rumors.

verb to kill or die from lack of air or inability to breathe

• The lack of ventilation in the room caused the person to suffocate.
• I can't breathe in this crowded elevator, I feel like I'm suffocating.
• This heat is suffocating, I need to get some air.
• The strict rules at the school suffocate any sense of creativity among the students.

noun a place where animal hides are processed and turned into leather

• The tannery is responsible for processing raw animal hides into leather.
• I heard the tannery down the street is finally reopening after renovations.
• I wouldn't go near that tannery, it smells awful.
• Her mind was like a tannery, constantly processing and transforming raw ideas into refined thoughts.

noun a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms

• The scientist studied the effects of the toxin on the human body.
• I heard that the food we ate last night had some kind of toxin in it.
• Watch out for that drink, I think it's got some toxins in it.
• Negative thoughts can be like toxins to your mind, poisoning your outlook on life.

adjective Turbid is an adjective that describes something that is cloudy, opaque, or muddy in appearance, typically due to stirred-up sediment or other particles in a liquid.

• The turbid water in the river was caused by heavy rainfall washing sediment into the water.
• I wouldn't swim in that river, the water looks turbid and dirty.
• The water in the pond is so turbid, it's gross!
• His thoughts were turbid, clouded by conflicting emotions.

adjective not clean; dirty

adverb in a dirty or impure manner

• The laboratory equipment must be thoroughly cleaned to ensure that it remains unclean.
• I can't believe how unclean the dishes are in the sink.
• This restaurant's kitchen is so gross, it's always unclean.
• His unclean conscience weighed heavily on him as he tried to sleep.

adjective describing a state of being free from contamination or pollution

• The water from the mountain spring is completely uncontaminated.
• I prefer to drink uncontaminated water straight from the source.
• Dude, this place serves the most uncontaminated sushi in town.
• Her mind was like an uncontaminated garden, free from negative thoughts.

noun a person who has not washed or cleaned themselves

adjective describing something that has not been cleaned or washed

• The unwashed dishes piled up in the sink.
• I can't believe you left the unwashed laundry on the floor.
• The unwashed hair look is in right now.
• His unwashed conscience weighed heavily on him.

verb to clean or scrub something with water and usually soap

adjective referring to something that has been discarded or abandoned

adverb used to describe the manner in which something is cleaned or discarded

• After the storm, many items washed up on the shore.
• I found a washed up seashell while walking on the beach.
• He used to be a famous actor, but now he's just washed up.
• She felt washed up after failing her exam.

adjective describing something that is situated or occurring on or above water

adverb in, on, or above water

• The resort offers luxurious overwater bungalows with stunning ocean views.
• We booked a room in an overwater villa for our vacation.
• I can't wait to chill in that overwater crib!
• His dreams of success seemed to float overwater, always just out of reach.

noun A concentrated animal feeding operation, where large numbers of animals are raised in confined spaces for food production

• The CAFO regulations require strict adherence to environmental standards.
• The CAFO down the road has been causing a lot of pollution issues.
• I heard that CAFO is really messing up the water supply in that area.
• The CAFO is like a ticking time bomb for the local ecosystem.

noun a person or thing that infiltrates, especially an unauthorized individual or substance entering a place surreptitiously

• The infiltrant was able to gain access to classified information.
• The infiltrant snuck into the building without anyone noticing.
• The infiltrant was a real ninja, slipping past security easily.
• Her charm was the perfect infiltrant into his guarded heart.

adjective relating to or resembling the Augean stables, which were famously filthy and in need of cleaning

• The Augean stables were known for their immense filth and required a Herculean effort to clean.
• Cleaning out that garage is like tackling the Augean stables.
• That party was an Augean mess by the time we left.
• The corruption in the government was described as an Augean task to clean up.

adjective describing a substance that allows liquid or gas to pass through it due to holes or cracks

• The leaky pipe caused water damage to the ceiling.
• I think there's a leaky faucet in the bathroom.
• My umbrella is so leaky, it's practically useless in the rain.
• His leaky memory made it difficult for him to remember important details.

noun the process of making something weaker or less effective

• The dilution of the chemical solution was necessary to reach the desired concentration.
• We had to water down the juice to make it less strong.
• They had to thin out the sauce to make it taste better.
• The dilution of her power made her leadership less effective.

noun very small pieces of plastic that pollute the environment

• The presence of microplastics in our oceans is a growing concern for environmental scientists.
• I heard that microplastics are really bad for marine life.
• Dude, microplastics are like tiny pieces of plastic that mess up the ocean.
• Microplastics are like invisible invaders causing harm to marine ecosystems.

noun a word that functions as the name of a specific thing, such as 'dust'

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence, such as 'kick'

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence, such as 'up'

• The construction work next door is causing the workers to kick up a lot of dust.
• I accidentally kicked up a dust storm while cleaning out the garage.
• The argument between the two friends really kicked up a dust in the neighborhood.
• The scandal caused by the politician really kicked up a dust in the media.

noun a large mass of solid waste, grease, and other materials that clog sewers

• The city workers had to remove a massive fatberg from the sewer system.
• I can't believe how big that fatberg was in the drain!
• Ew, there's a gross fatberg clogging up the pipes.
• The accumulation of lies and deceit in the organization was like a fatberg slowly growing and causing problems.

verb to drink something, typically an alcoholic beverage, quickly and in large quantities

• The train was chugging along the tracks, steadily making its way to the next station.
• I could hear the old car chugging down the street, it definitely needs a tune-up.
• After chugging a few beers, he was feeling pretty buzzed.
• She kept chugging away at her work, determined to finish before the deadline.

noun a sudden and powerful release of acid

• The scientist conducted an experiment using an acid blast to analyze the chemical reaction.
• I heard they used an acid blast in the lab today for some crazy experiment.
• That acid blast in the lab was lit!
• Her words felt like an acid blast, burning through my defenses.

adjective describing something as acidic or having the properties of an acid

• The soil in this area is naturally acidiferous, making it difficult to grow certain crops.
• I heard that the water from that stream is acidiferous, so be careful not to drink it.
• Dude, that soda is so acidiferous, it's like drinking battery acid!
• Her words were like acidiferous remarks, burning through his confidence.

verb to make something acidic by adding acid or lowering the pH level

• The solution was acidified to a pH of 4 before conducting the experiment.
• We had to add acid to lower the pH before starting the test.
• We had to sour it up a bit before getting things going.
• The situation was already tense, and his remarks only acidified the atmosphere further.

noun a type of precipitation that has high levels of acidity, typically caused by pollutants in the atmosphere such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides

• The environmental impact of acid precipitation on aquatic ecosystems is a growing concern.
• Acid rain is really bad for the environment.
• Man, that acid rain is messing everything up.
• The acid precipitation of negativity in our community is eroding away at our unity.

noun a substance that is thick and viscous, typically a byproduct of industrial processes containing acidic components

• The industrial plant disposed of the acid sludge in a secure and environmentally friendly manner.
• They had to clean up the acid sludge spill before it caused any damage.
• I can't believe they dumped all that acid sludge into the river!
• The toxic relationship left behind an emotional acid sludge that took time to clean up.

noun a substance that is adsorbed onto the surface of another substance

• The adsorbate molecules were found to adhere to the surface of the material.
• The adsorbate stuck to the material's surface.
• The adsorbate latched onto the material.
• Like a magnet, the adsorbate was drawn to the material.

noun the process of converting a liquid or solid substance into a fine spray or mist

• The process of aerosolization is commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry to create inhalable medications.
• When you spray the cleaner, you are causing aerosolization of the liquid particles in the air.
• I hate it when people use aerosol sprays, it's like they're just aerosolizing chemicals everywhere.
• His words seemed to hang in the air, as if they had been aerosolized for everyone to hear.

noun the act or process of aerosolizing a substance

verb to convert a substance into a fine spray or mist

• The researchers were able to aerosolize the medication for easier inhalation.
• I heard they can aerosolize the paint for a smoother finish.
• They're gonna aerosolize the bug spray before we head out into the woods.
• His words seemed to aerosolize into the room, spreading their impact to everyone present.

adjective aerosolized is an adjective that describes something that has been converted into tiny particles and suspended in the air as an aerosol.

• The medication can be administered through an aerosolized spray.
• Make sure to shake the aerosolized can before using it.
• I accidentally aerosolized my perfume all over the room.
• His words seemed to hang in the air like an aerosolized mist, lingering long after he had spoken.

adjective Covered with foam or froth

adverb In a foamy or frothy manner

• The waves crashed against the rocks, leaving them afoam with white froth.
• After shaking the soda can, it sprayed everywhere and left the floor afoam.
• The barista made my latte extra fancy with afoam on top.
• Her mind was afoam with ideas and inspiration after attending the creativity workshop.