used to

British  

/ juːst /

adjective

1. made familiar with; accustomed to

   I am used to hitchhiking

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verb

1. (takes an infinitive or implied infinitive) used as an auxiliary to express habitual or accustomed actions, states, etc, taking place in the past but not continuing into the present

   I don't drink these days, but I used to

   I used to fish here every day

used to Idioms  

1. Accustomed or habituated to. This expression is often put as , as in I'm not used to driving a manual-shift car , or She can't get used to calling him Dad . [Early 1500s]

2. Formerly. This sense is used with a following verb to indicate a past state, as in I used to ride my bicycle to the post office , or This used to be the best restaurant in town . [Late 1800s]

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Usage

The most common negative form of used to is didn't used to (or didn't use to ), but in formal contexts used not to is preferred

Example Sentences

As well as exposure at a higher level, the money earned can be used to finance what is an expensive career.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

The process used to answer it was rigorously epistemological.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Its results are often used to guide public health policy and shape global health research priorities.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

Because his bee boxes — the structures used to house his colonies — all burned, Teller’s costs will go up.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Purnell is the private school where Jonah used to go before his dad died.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison