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

I used to think, 'how did we work out who was on each other's team?'

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The decision triggered demonstrations and led to an investigation into whether a Serbian official had forged documentation used during the process to change the building's status.

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Researchers believe the same method could also be used for people with other inherited diseases that require transplants.

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Still, the report said, “these examples highlight that unexpected losses could arise from opaque off-balance-sheet funding arrangements that may be used by certain privately held firms.”

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Today, in the tariff era, demand for used goods is surging.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.