use up

verb

used up; using up; uses up

transitive verb

: to exhaust of strength or useful properties

land that has been used up

Synonyms of use up

• spend
• consume
• drain
• exhaust
• play out
• draw down
• run out of
• reduce
• use
• absorb
• burn

Examples of use up in a Sentence

we used up the last of the flour when we made the waffles

Recent Examples on the Web

And that is an amazing cake that uses up a lot of egg yolks. —Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Jan. 2026

Fry up some ham, or simply use up cold breakfast ham, and you're set with quite the traditional lunch that many Southern kids are familiar with. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026

Traditionally, bakers in European countries used up all their fats and sugar ahead of the Lenten season since religious observances forbid indulgences during the season. —Jelissa Burns, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026

The tradition reportedly began in Spain in the late 1800s, possibly as a way to use up a surplus of grapes harvested that year. —Brandi D. Addison, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for use up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

Kids Definition

use up

verb

: to make complete use of : exhaust

used up all the supplies