used

1 of 2

adjective

ˈyüzd How to pronounce used (audio)
 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

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
From January 2020 to January 2024, the cost of a new vehicle rose more than 20 percent, and the cost of used cars was up even more, while vehicle repair overall increased 32 percent. Talmon Joseph Smith, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 The alpha male fox is very used to humans and has begged me for food before. John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024 Ivan Drury, director of insights at auto market research firm Edmunds, said that the urgency and higher values for used cars seen earlier in the pandemic is on the decline. Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024 Mobile manipulators – Mobile autonomous robots like those in used warehouses to move inventory are increasingly being fitted with arms and actuators to add flexibility to work done on either end of a trip. Kevin O'Marah, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 She’s gotten used to brushing off online commenters who say her renovations are a waste of money. Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024 Some used car buyers facing more stress than others Another key point: Used car loans in general have performed worse than new auto loans, according to experts, particularly for used auto loans taken out in 2021, 2022 and some in 2023. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 29 Feb. 2024 Interstate 5 and the Grapevine — a heavily used roadway that is often closed during heavy storms — could get around an inch of snow. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Unlike with new vehicles, there's still a limited supply of used cars, trucks and SUVs, which will likely serve to limit any price declines. Tom Krisher, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'used.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of used was in 1683

Dictionary Entries Near used

Cite this Entry

“Used.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/used. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

used

adjective
ˈyüzd How to pronounce used (audio)
 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

More from Merriam-Webster on used

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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