unused

adjective

un·​used ˌən-ˈyüzd 

 in the phrase "unused to" usually  -ˈyüs(t)

1

: not habituated : unaccustomed

unused to crowds

2

: not used: such as

a

: fresh, new

set an unused canvas on the easel

b

: not put to use : idle

unused land

c

: not consumed : accrued

unused sick leave

Synonyms

• unacclimated
• unaccustomed
• unadapted
• unadjusted

Examples of unused in a Sentence

The library has been unused for 10 years.

I have four days of unused vacation time left.

Recent Examples on the Web

As of 2024, families can roll over unused 529 funds to the account beneficiary’s Roth individual retirement account, without triggering income taxes or penalties, as long as the 529 plan has been open for at least 15 years. —Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2024

Through the program’s first two years, the agency couldn’t gather enough applications to award all the planning dollars, meaning about $200 million was sitting unused at the start of this year. —Austin Fast, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024

Thorpe is among those who believe a binding treaty should be created to address the historical abuse of Aboriginal people, to return unused land to its original owners and to establish standalone Senate seats for Indigenous representatives. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Regulators believe that the practice led to a piece of fuselage used to cover unused emergency exit door openings to fall off a 737 Max 9 mid-flight this January. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unused

• unused to

Kids Definition

unused

adjective

un·​used ˌən-ˈyüzd 

ˈən-,

 in the phrase  ",

 unused to  ",

 usually  -ˈyüs(t)

1

: not accustomed

unused to crowds

2

a

: not having been used before

an unused paintbrush

b

: not being in use : idle

c

: available for future use

unused vacation time