underused

adjective un·der·used \ ˌən-dər-ˈyüzd \

|Updated on: 17 Jul 2018

Definition of underused

: not fully used : having more potential than is currently being realized or utilized

underused land

an underused actress

See underused defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of underused from the Web

But aside from the occasional sweet tribute to Mrs. Helfrich, is there a more underused piece of cookware in your pantry?

— paul stephen, San Antonio Express-News, "6 ways to use a Bundt pan you probably haven’t tried," 20 June 2018
But Grand Park converted an underused, unappealing expanse between the Music Center and City Hall into an urban oasis populated with species from the world’s six plant kingdoms to symbolize the diversity of L.A.’s population.

— matt jaffe, SFChronicle.com, "Green travel in (gasp!) Los Angeles is easier than you think," 19 June 2018
The legendary Diana Rigg is fully resplendent, but woefully underused as Professor Higgins’s mother.

— constance grady, Vox, "Your guide to the 17 most important nominees at this year’s Tonys," 7 June 2018
The Giuliani administration in those years had taken to selling off underused land for profit.

— allegra hobbs, New York Times, "Gentrification’s Empty Victory," 1 June 2018
Supporters, however, contend the ordinance encourages redevelopment and creation of new housing on underused land and that its detractors are exaggerating.

— luke money, latimes.com, "Costa Mesa Planning Commission will again review proposed changes to city small-lot ordinance," 29 May 2018
The organic feel of the piece fits in perfectly at Noma, where chef René Redzepi pioneered foraging for underused local ingredients such as sea buckthorn and reindeer moss.

— james clasper, New York Times, "Artist to Know: the Danish Sculptor Making Objects for Noma," 13 June 2018
The area is mainly a collection of underused warehouses and vacant lots.

— tom daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Mequon's Foxtown brewery, housing project could get $4.5 million in city financing," 4 June 2018
Those include The Alexander Lofts, an underused retail and office building that was renovated into a new Milwaukee library branch on the first floor and 33 market-rate apartments on the upper floors.

— tom daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Sun Fair on Milwaukee's Historic Mitchell Street canceled after state law reduces funds," 10 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'underused.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of underused

1960

in the meaning defined above

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UNDERUSED Defined for English Language Learners

underused

adjective

Definition of underused for English Language Learners

: not used enough : not fully used

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