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

• unacclimated
• unaccustomed
• unadapted
• unadjusted

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

Officials at Brunswick say that the port has been contacted by companies as an interim solution while the Baltimore port is partially blocked, and that the port has unused capacity to process another 200,000 vehicles per year. —Camila Domonoske, NPR, 28 Mar. 2024

Renting out a portion of one's property can provide additional income during retirement, effectively monetizing unused space and maximizing the value of home equity. —Jamie Hopkins, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

The body, governed by city councilmembers, focuses its energies on buying up unused land and offloading it to developers to construct affordable residences. —Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2024

At the same time, subleasing activity is up as companies look to save money and offload unused office space thanks to hybrid work. —Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024

In the aftermath, some of the state’s clinics stopped all IVF treatments; others halted just the practice of discarding unused embryos. —Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024

Each unit easily velcros around a rod and features five cubbies for extra shelving, taking advantage of vertical unused space in your closet instead of over-stuffing it with hangers. —Ali Faccenda, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024

The Alaska Airlines jet suffered an explosive decompression above Portland, Oregon, after the panel, or door plug, covering an unused emergency exit, flew off mid-flight. —Alan Levin, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024

This results in a more efficient shopping experience for customers, less unused shelf-space and manpower requirements, and advanced command and control capabilities for store managers. —Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unused

• unused to

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