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Definitions

used

[yoozd, yoost] / yuzd, yust /
ADJECTIVE
secondhand
Synonyms
STRONG
recycled worn
WEAK
hand-me-down nearly new not new passed down pre-owned

Usage

What is another way to say used? What is used often has depreciated or been diminished, sometimes completely consumed: a used automobile; All the butter has been used. Used is the past participle of use, which is a general verb: to use a telephone; to use a saw and other tools; to use one's eyes; to use eggs in cooking. As applied to persons, use implies some selfish or sinister purpose: to use another to advance oneself. Utilize implies practical or profitable use: to utilize the means at hand, a modern system of lighting.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

All three companies have taken steps to give security researchers early access to their models so they can be used to find and patch bugs before they are exploited.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Starting in January, the monthly premiums for the health plan used by many teachers rose from zero to $1,400 a month paid over 10 months each year — an enormous reduction in take-home pay.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

The Port of Churchill opened nearly a century ago and was primarily used to export grain from the prairies.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

That is also pushing up the cost of less flashy chips used in consumer electronics -- threatening higher prices for phones, laptops and other devices worldwide.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

“Yous two used to be partners in crime.”

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