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 of unused

• 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

But of the $500,000 available every year, hundreds of thousands go unused. —Miranda Dunlap, jsonline.com, 3 Dec. 2025

The midfielder, who made his international debut against Liechtenstein in June, was an unused substitute in Scotland’s World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Denmark. —Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025

What To Know It has been found that only around 30 percent of MA recipients make the most of their OTC benefits, meaning that almost $5 billion worth of the benefits go unused each year, according to CHPA. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025

With three weeks of unused PTO left, her friends living in Hawaii invited her to visit and stay for a week — a gesture of care that has now sparked an unexpected conflict at home. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 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