hand-me-down

American  

[hand-mee-doun, han-] / ˈhænd miˌdaʊn, ˈhæn- /

noun

1. an article of clothing passed on to another person after being used, outgrown, etc..

   The younger children wore the hand-me-downs of the older ones.

2. any item not new that is or can be used again.

   Our office furniture was a collection of hand-me-downs.

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adjective

1. passed along for further use by others.

   some hand-me-down clothes from my older brother.

2. borrowed or adapted from other sources; derivative.

   a street full of hand-me-down architecture.

hand-me-down British  

noun

1. 1. something, esp an outgrown garment, passed down from one person to another

   2. ( as modifier )

      a hand-me-down dress

2. 1. anything that has already been used by another

   2. ( as modifier )

      hand-me-down ideas

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Etymology

Origin of hand-me-down

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The chancellor could also offer partial payments, potentially getting smaller for each additional child to reflect that these children might use the same buggy as their siblings or hand-me-down clothes.

From BBC • Nov. 14, 2025

Yet budget is also a factor; teen drivers often end up with a hand-me-down vehicle or a used vehicle.

From Seattle Times • May 29, 2024

It is one of the most deprived wards in the city and she recalls a childhood of hand-me-down clothes and poverty.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2024

How much of what we inherit is in our genes, and how much is hand-me-down trauma?

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2023

Sometimes, I thought losing him was harder for her because she remembered so much more, and because the motorcycle had been a hand-me-down present from her.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry