garbage in, garbage out

proverb

If input data are not complete, accurate, and timely, then the resulting output is unreliable and useless. If the input is junk, then the output is junk.

Similar
GIGOrubbish in, rubbish out
Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

proverb
  1. computingIf input data are not complete, accurate, and timely, then the resulting output is unreliable and useless. If the input is junk, then the output is junk.

    The old caveat "GIGO"—garbage in, garbage out—is as valid in architectural design as in any other computer-aided activity.

    2008, Roger K. Lewis, "'In Architectural Design, Brains and Talent Trump the Best Software," Washington Post, 19 July (retrieved 26 July 2010)
    1 more example

    Officials explained that the quality of the computer's work depends on the quality of the data fed into it. Neil Hoke, administrative assistant to Stewart, quoted an adage of computer men: "Garbage in, garbage out."

    1963 April 1, Raymond Crowley, “Robot Tax Collector Seeks Indications of 'Fudging'”, in Times Daily, Alabama, USA, retrieved 26 Jul 2010

    Synonyms: GIGO, rubbish in, rubbish out

Synonyms & antonyms

proverbIf input data are not complete, accurate, and timely, then the resulting output is unreliable and useless. If the input is junk, then the output is junk.

Similar
GIGOrubbish in, rubbish out

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 垃圾進，垃圾出 /垃圾进, 垃圾出
  • 垃圾進，垃圾出 /垃圾进proverb: output is dependent on input
  • 垃圾出 (lājī jìn, lājī chū)proverb: output is dependent on input
Finnish roskaa sisään, roskaa ulos
  • roskaa sisään, roskaa ulosproverb: output is dependent on input
German GIGO, wer misst, misst Mist
  • GIGOproverb: output is dependent on input
  • wer misst, misst Mistproverb: output is dependent on input
Greek εισερχόμενα δεδομένα εξερχόμενα δεδομένα
  • εισερχόμενα δεδομένα εξερχόμενα δεδομένα (eiserchómena dedoména exerchómena dedoména)proverb: output is dependent on input
Spanish basura entra, basura sale
  • basura entra, basura saleproverb: output is dependent on input
Cite this entry
APA

garbage in, garbage out. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/garbage%20in%2C%20garbage%20out

MLA

“garbage in, garbage out.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/garbage%20in%2C%20garbage%20out. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “garbage in, garbage out,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/garbage%20in%2C%20garbage%20out.

Source: garbage in, garbage out on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.