Showing results for "used"

• past participle of use.
• past tense form of use.

used

American  

[yoozd, yoost] / juzd, just /

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.

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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

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used More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing used

• it takes getting used to
• use

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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

The new study, led by doctoral student Sabita Chourasia, used genetic engineering techniques to eliminate the Mitch protein from human cells.

From Science Daily • Jul. 3, 2026

Brian Boland, who used to work as a vice-president for Facebook, said Instagram's algorithm was designed to keep users on the platform by showing them "something more extreme, more tantalising"

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2026

But how much water was used while generating the power for those data centers?

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 3, 2026

The money could also be used to set up a park-and-ride facility outside of the village.

From Barron's • Jul. 3, 2026

The flowers had come to the side door, the door the family used, opening onto a tiny alleyway, and Betsie and I carried them from the little hall into the shop.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom