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.

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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

Used to activate aspects of the energy recovery systems.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

"Used properly, AI can open doors to whole new realms to explore."

From Science Daily • Apr. 23, 2026

Used electric vehicle sales increased 25% in the first quarter this year, according to Cox.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Superbloom's lead single I Could Get Used To This saw Ware's new era blossom over flourishing panpipes and funky guitar riffs.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Used paper she could draw on, empty ink jars, worn-down pen nubs she turned into jewelry.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros