used

1 of 2

adjective

ˈyüzd 

 in the phrase "used to" usually  ˈyüs(t)

1

: having been used before

one of the most used quotes

: such as

a

: already exhausted for its intended purpose

a used tissue

b

: having had a previous owner : secondhand

a used car

used clothing/furniture

2

: accustomed, habituated

… showing how used he was to papers with lies on them …

—Gilbert Millstein

used

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of use entry 1

Synonyms

Adjective

• accustomed
• given
• habituated
• wont

Examples of used in a Sentence

Adjective

The books on this shelf are used.

my grandmother has spent her whole life on the farm and is used to working hard

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Even users going through the most severe TikTok withdrawal would be hard-pressed to buy a used phone for the price of a 2025 Toyota Prius. —Hank Sanders, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025

One Florida family sued NASA last year for the damage caused when a bit of space junk from a pallet of used batteries that came from the International Space Station came through their roof. —Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025

So before rushing to replace your used Swedish dishcloth, here's how to wash it to extend its usage. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2025

The study looks at the odometer readings of used vehicles to determine which models offer the longest usable lifespan. —Karl Brauer, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing used

• got used to
• take some getting used to
• used not to
• used to
• what it used to be

Kids Definition

used

adjective

ˈyüzd 

 in the phrase  ",

 used to  ",

 usually  ˈyüs(t)

1

: employed in accomplishing something

a much used excuse

2

: that has been used

especially : secondhand sense 2a

used cars

3

: having the habit of doing or experiencing

is used to flying