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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

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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Etymology

Origin of second hand

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

Example Sentences

Second hand clothes from charity shops have even become too expensive.

From BBC • Dec. 8, 2022

Second hand car sales have risen this year, boosted by a sharp increase in the number of used electric vehicles on the market.

From BBC • May 9, 2022

Second hand on the bar now and nothing below.

From Salon • Feb. 8, 2014

New and Second hand Furniture WILLISTON, N. D. Cook With Pots and Pans bought here and you'll not have to be renewing your stock every little while.

From Civic League Cook Book by

Dem cloes ain't so mighty,— Second hand to boot, I 's a-tryin' to spite you!

From The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar by Howells, William Dean