hand-me-down
adjective
1
: put in use by one person or group after being used, discarded, or handed down by another
hand-me-down clothes
hand-me-down anecdotes
2
: ready-made and usually cheap and shoddy
hand-me-down
noun
Examples of hand-me-down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fit a Bow A new bow loses about a third of its value after leaving the shop, so a lot of new archers start with a hand-me-down.
—
The Editors, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
Mitzi Perdue, the double-heiress of Sheraton Hotels and Perdue Farms, grew up wearing hand-me-downs and getting a public education.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
The outfit was a hand-me-down from her beloved dog, Sophie, who is no longer with us.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
The brand has been a favorite among parents for decades because of its durable materials, elevated designs, and major hand-me-down potential.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hand-me-down
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The Editors, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
Mitzi Perdue, the double-heiress of Sheraton Hotels and Perdue Farms, grew up wearing hand-me-downs and getting a public education.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
The outfit was a hand-me-down from her beloved dog, Sophie, who is no longer with us.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
The brand has been a favorite among parents for decades because of its durable materials, elevated designs, and major hand-me-down potential.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hand-me-down
Cite this Entry
“Hand-me-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand-me-down. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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