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

• unadjusted
• unadapted
• unaccustomed

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

Adds to manager Daniel Farke’s centre-back options but has been an unused substitute in their first three Premier League games so seems likely to be a squad player. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025

And the developers do not own the property, which has sat unused and in disrepair since the club closed nearly a decade ago. —Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025

Don’t let any marrow still attached to the bones or in the strainer go unused! —Cody Godwin, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025

Photovoltaics, in particular, play a crucial role since they can be deployed on rooftops and on vertical surfaces that would otherwise remain unused. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unused

• unused to

Rhymes for unused

• disabused
• overused
• underused
• unexcused
• abused
• accused
• amused
• bemused
• confused
• contused
• defused
• diffused

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