used

American  

[yoozd, yoost] / yuzd, yust /

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.

---

idioms

1. used to, accustomed or habituated to.

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

used British  

/ juːzd /

adjective

1. bought or sold second-hand

   used cars

---

used More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing used

• it takes getting used to
• use

---

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• half-used
  adjective
• well-used
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of used

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

Explanation

If something is used, that means it has been owned by someone else. If you buy used textbooks, that means they’re not new — someone else owned them and read them before you did. If you sell used cars, that means you’re selling cars that have already had at least one owner. Used can also describe things that have already served their purpose. Used batteries aren't good anymore: their power has been used up. People can also be used, and in this sense the word means “taken advantage of.” You might feel used by your neighbor if she's only nice to you when she needs you to water her plants.

Example Sentences

Sick leave may be used “for diagnosis, care, or treatment of a mental or physical illness, injury or health condition,” it says.

From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026

Last month, the FCC ordered eight ABC-owned television stations to file an early license-renewal request, a move typically used when the agency is preparing to fine or challenge a broadcast licensee.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

Pop star Dua Lipa is suing Samsung over trademark infringement, alleging the South Korean conglomerate illegally used a photo of the star to juice US television sales.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

Robert Wilson used theater to change the way we see the world.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

She’s used to me being too shy to speak up.

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