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
Then, that fall, someone began a campaign to bring new attention to the months-old, secondhand reports about Khan. David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025 Upholstered Furniture Unlike damage furniture, buying secondhand upholstered pieces isn't as frowned upon, but Morse recommends looking over each piece with a careful eye to determine if this item will be a good investment. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
Adverb
Here’s how industry experts and fashion-forward shoppers shop secondhand sustainably — and how to find quality pieces that last while looking cool, too. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025 That section of the site helps users quickly access items that fit emerging trends, in an effort to engage them in purchasing trending items secondhand rather than new via fast-fashion companies. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
The pilot watch’s dial features a team’s primary color, like the Detroit Lions’s Honolulu Blue, and the second hand its secondary color—in this case, silver. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2025 One-hand dispensing The majority of coffee urns require one hand to hold the cup and the second hand to operate the lever on the spout. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Secondhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secondhand. Accessed 21 Oct. 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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