hand-me-down

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.

"Conversely, when brides were familiar with the story of the dress, like with a hand-me-down, they were far more positive about it and treated it more like treasure than a cursed item."

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

The chancellor could also offer partial payments, potentially getting smaller for each additional child to reflect that these children might use the same buggy as their siblings or hand-me-down clothes.

From BBC • Nov. 14, 2025

Martin, the 77-year-old in Glendale, has been sleeping on a waterbed since she got her first one as a hand-me-down from a friend.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 2024

Their 15-year-old hand-me-down Toyota Auris, nicknamed Martina, needs replacing.

From Reuters • Nov. 13, 2023

The mask was a hand-me-down, given to him by his father.

From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi