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

Another key concern for investors is whether Berkshire can right the ship under Abel, after they got so used to trusting Buffett with their money.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

In fact, the novel’s opening sentences, narrated by one of the children—probably Sydney Smith Haldimand Dickens—are a stark “Father used to love us. He didn’t love us anymore.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

“And I’m used to doing a lot with very little. I’ve been building a strategy that is more powerful than money. It’s called People.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

"Cinemas, restaurants, petrol of course. We don't go out as much as we used to, just can't afford it."

From BBC • May 1, 2026

We used to be as close as twins.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith