user

¹

[yoo-zer]

noun

1. a person or thing that uses.

2. a person who is addicted to or abuses a controlled substance or alcohol; one who uses illegal or addictive drugs, as in

3. Digital Technology.,  a person who uses a computer, device, or application.

   This interface should be more intuitive for users.

user

²

[oo-zer]

noun

Law.

1. the exercise of a right to the enjoyment of property.

user

/ ˈjuːzə /

noun

1. law

   1. the continued exercise, use, or enjoyment of a right, esp in property

   2. a presumptive right based on long-continued use

      right of user

2. (often in combination) a person or thing that uses

   a road-user

3. informal,  a drug addict

Word History and Origins

Origin of user¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English usere; use, -er ¹

Origin of user²

Noun use of Anglo-French user to use

Example Sentences

Their stories give rise to a growing concern that AI chatbots may foster intense and unhealthy relationships with vulnerable users and validate dangerous impulses.

Read more on BBC

Its “Performance+” platform uses artificial intelligence to better match advertisers with users’ desires.

Read more on Barron's

Can Apple be confident that it will receive the same quality AI and frequency of updates as users of Google’s Android operating system?

Read more on Barron's

The company’s strategic shift toward user experience and long-term growth could delay meaningful financial benefits, say analysts.

Read more on Barron's

The product reached $2.5 billion in contracts at the end of October, as Robinhood has added new categories that users can place money on, including sports, economics, politics and culture, Tenev says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• addict 
• drug abuser www.thesaurus.com
• drug addict 
• drug user www.thesaurus.com
• junkie 
• narcotics addict www.thesaurus.com

When To Use

What is a user?

A user is someone or something that employs or puts someone or something into service, as in The instructions are written for users of the microwave.In technology, a user is the person who uses a particular piece of hardware (such as a computer) or software (such as a website or app), as in Users complain about frequent updates.User can also refer to someone who regularly takes illegal or addictive drugs. (The verb use can mean to regularly take such drugs, as in I stopped using five years ago.)Example: The user should be able to send and receive messages quickly.