adjective
-
not being or never having been made use of
-
not accustomed or used (to something)
Etymology
Origin of unused
Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at un- 1, used
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hinoki is an important timber tree in Japan, but its roots are often left behind and unused after logging.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026
Americans collectively forfeit billions of dollars annually in unused benefits, which often expire at the end of the calendar year.
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
Most of the old trekking trails on the Annapurna Circuit have been unused in recent years after the introduction of roads, except for small pockets of Manang and Mustang districts.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
To close a deficit of more than $200 million that it announced last year, USC froze hiring, laid off roughly 1,000 workers, eliminated merit raises, sold unused buildings and cut discretionary spending.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
The room had a damp, unused smell and the light from the lamp over the pool table was greenish and depressing.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
