secondhand

American  

[sek-uhnd-hand] / ˈsɛk əndˈhænd /

adjective

1. not directly known or experienced; obtained from others or from books.

   Most of our knowledge is secondhand.

2. previously used or owned.

   secondhand clothes.

3. dealing in previously used goods.

   a secondhand bookseller.

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adverb

1. after another user or owner.

   He bought it secondhand.

2. indirectly; at second hand.

   He heard the news secondhand.

Other Word Forms

• secondhandedness noun

Etymology

Origin of secondhand

First recorded in 1645–55; second ¹ + hand

Example Sentences

“The hardest part of it is going to a flea market, secondhand stores, an estate sale or even just going behind a store to see what people throw away.”

From Los Angeles Times

London-based Depop is a platform where “highly engaged” Gen Z and Millennial customers buy and sell secondhand clothes, the companies said.

From Barron's

At a conference in December, Etsy executives expressed excitement for the secondhand clothing market, and said Depop had room to grow.

From MarketWatch

Trinidad doesn’t even have a decent sled; it will be racing Sunday with an old secondhand one the team owes money on.

From Los Angeles Times

At Selah, he made a point of showing visitors that his fences were made of old telephone poles, salvaged cable and eye bolts bought secondhand in bulk for 5 cents a pound.

From The Wall Street Journal