secondhand

1 of 4

adjective

sec·​ond·​hand ˈse-kən(d)-ˈhand How to pronounce secondhand (audio)
1
a
: received from or through an intermediary : borrowed
b
: derivative
secondhand ideas
2
a
: acquired after being used by another : not new
secondhand books
b
: dealing in secondhand merchandise
a secondhand bookstore

secondhand

2 of 4

adverb

1
: at second hand : indirectly
heard about it secondhand
2
: as a secondhand item
bought the couch secondhand

second hand

3 of 4

noun (1)

: an intermediate person or means : intermediary
usually used in the phrase at second hand

second hand

4 of 4

noun (2)

: the hand marking seconds on a timepiece

Examples of secondhand in a Sentence

Adjective a dealer in secondhand furniture He's always haunting the secondhand shops for bargains.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
All of this could lead to greater acceptance of EVs, and a stronger secondhand market, Onori says. IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2025 Why Older Furniture Can Be a Better Buy Carter emphasized the benefits of giving secondhand furniture a new lease on life. Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Adverb
Kelly Riley, the founder of June Taylor in Lakeland, Florida, will source lots of her art books secondhand. Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025 Finding it secondhand was just the icing on the cake. Ebony-Renee Baker, refinery29.com, 27 Mar. 2024
Noun
The chronograph second hand, as is customary, is centrally mounted and on this watch bears a varnished orange airplane shape at its tip. Chris Hall, WIRED, 10 Dec. 2024 Here, West can’t lose anything and may gain by playing his king, second hand high, on the first club. Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 16 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for secondhand 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of secondhand was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near secondhand

second-guess

secondhand

second hand

Cite this Entry

“Secondhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secondhand. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

secondhand

1 of 2 adjective
sec·​ond·​hand
ˌsek-ən-ˈhand
1
: not original : taken from someone else
secondhand reports
2
a
: having had a previous owner
a secondhand car
b
: selling used goods
a secondhand store
secondhand adverb

second hand

2 of 2 noun
: the hand marking seconds on a timepiece

More from Merriam-Webster on secondhand

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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