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

Investors used to be able to diversify by buying a single fund like the iShares Emerging Markets ETF and call it a day.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Raya used to train three days a week at Southport and then do extra work with Blackburn when his loan club had days off.

From BBC • 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

“Well, I like to use the cafeteria as an example,” she said, pointing to where it used to be.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

“I just thought that I might be able to help you improve your form even more. Given that I used to lay down a pretty good fly, I might be of help.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam