used

1 of 2

adjective

ˈyüzd 

in the phrase "used to" usually ˈyüs(t)

1

: having been used before

one of the most used quotes

: such as

a

: already exhausted for its intended purpose

a used tissue

b

: having had a previous owner : secondhand

a used car

used clothing/furniture

2

: accustomed, habituated

… showing how used he was to papers with lies on them …

—Gilbert Millstein

used

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of use entry 1

Synonyms of used

Adjective

• accustomed

Examples of used in a Sentence

Adjective

The books on this shelf are used.

my grandmother has spent her whole life on the farm and is used to working hard

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The pandemic dealt a severe blow to the total supply of new cars, which has rippled down to the used market. —Robert Ferris, CNBC, 10 June 2026

Right now, quite a few performance cars that might have been out of reach for you when new can be had for less than $25,000 on the used market. —ABC News, 10 June 2026

They will have been married for 23 years in June, and Maggie has gotten quite used to her husband’s philanthropy. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026

Ironically, some of the factors helping make used EVs such a good deal are the same issues that have hampered sales of new EVs. —Bloomberg, Oc Register, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing used

• got used to
• take some getting used to
• used not to
• used to
• what it used to be

Rhymes for used

• abused
• accused
• amused
• bemused
• confused
• contused
• defused
• diffused
• disused
• effused
• enthused
• excused

Kids Definition

used

adjective

ˈyüzd 

in the phrase "

used to "

usually ˈyüs(t)

1

: employed in accomplishing something

a much used excuse

2

: that has been used

especially : secondhand sense 2a

used cars

3

: having the habit of doing or experiencing

is used to flying