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

Did people lay out their used sweaters and second-hand audio equipment, hoping someone would claim them? —Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026

Another way to reduce the price of a vehicle is to consider used cars, which are less than three years old. —Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026

In addition, Coulter Blunt needs a gently used car after hers was destroyed in a hit-and-run wreck. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026

This is particularly dangerous for North Texas, which is more used to brief cold snaps. —Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 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