used

[yoozd, yoost]

adjective

1. previously used or owned; secondhand.

   a used car.

2. showing wear or being worn out.

   a thrift store that accepts used clothing.

3. employed for a purpose; utilized.

   a frequently used dictionary.

used

/ juːzd /

adjective

1. bought or sold second-hand

   used cars

Other Word Forms

• half-used adjective
• well-used adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of used¹

First recorded in 1325–75; use + -ed ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. used to, accustomed or habituated to.

   I'm not used to cold weather. They weren't used to getting up so early.

More idioms and phrases containing used

• it takes getting used to
• use

Example Sentences

Filler is usually injected into the face which helps to fill wrinkles and add volume to tissue, while Botox injections are anti-wrinkle treatments used to relax the muscles.

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He used his life savings to buy the car wash, which at the time seemed like a sound investment.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In fact, I used it in a white paper that I did, and I’m a survivor.

Read more on Salon

Liverpool's players defended this move focusing on individuals rather than defending zones - and Forest used rotations to pull their opponents of position.

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He adds that important narratives used to explain paganism, including in museums and the media, frequently overlook that the surviving texts represent "memorialized history" only.

Read more on Science Daily

When To Use

What is another way to say used?

Something that is used has been employed for a purpose or previously owned. Used is the past participle of the general verb use. Do you know the difference between use and utilize? Find out on Thesaurus.com.