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• second hand
  second hand

  noun

  the hand that indicates the seconds on a clock or watch.
• second-hand
  second-hand

  adjective

  previously owned or used

second hand

American  

[sek-uhnd hand, sek-uhnd hand] / ˈsɛk ənd ˌhænd, ˈsɛk ənd ˈhænd /

noun

• second hands
  plural

1. the hand that indicates the seconds on a clock or watch.

2. an assistant or helper, as to a worker or foreman.

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idioms

1. at second hand, from or through an intermediate source or means; secondhand.

   She had the news at second hand.

second-hand ¹ British  

adjective

1. previously owned or used

2. not from an original source or experience

3. dealing in or selling goods that are not new

   a second-hand car dealer

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adverb

1. from a source of previously owned or used goods

   he prefers to buy second-hand

2. not directly

   he got the news second-hand

second hand ² British  

noun

1. a pointer on the face of a timepiece that indicates the seconds Compare hour hand minute hand

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second hand More Idioms  

1. see at second hand.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• second hands
  plural

Etymology

Origin of second hand

1425–75 second hand for def. 3; 1750–60 second hand for def. 1; late Middle English

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

second hand second-hand

Besides going for American labels, they are also buying European luxury goods second hand.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

The hardworking mother of three daughters called Los Angeles home and collected much of the material for her work from the city’s many flea markets and second hand shops.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

Its Birkin handbags continue to sell at a premium to retail prices in the second hand market.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

She said she was "a bit extra" getting two wedding dresses - one for the service and the other - which she bought online second hand - for Pitbull.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

Why did the clock’s second hand have to move so slowly?

From "The Red Umbrella" by Christina Gonzalez

The 31 States schools in Jersey will also be required to "ensure affordability and provide access to second-hand uniform options".

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

She tries to get most of her children's uniforms second-hand anyway, but always buys the blazer, which costs around £30, as she likes them to have a new one.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

The Brooklyn, N.Y., company has already shed some weight this year, selling its second-hand clothing app Depop to Ebay in July.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

An earlier version of this article incorrectly said it is a second-hand retail site.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

Most of our tanks and trucks were more than second-hand by the time they reached us.

From "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac