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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
One-quarter of customers who traded in used vehicles for new ones in the last three months of 2024 owed more than the trade-in was worth, according to Edmunds. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025 Gas prices had declined, and so did airline tickets and used cars. Alina Selyukh, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025 The Grammy winner is so used to spending long stretches of time on the most competitive tallies, that this latest feat is actually fairly commonplace. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 Kelley Blue Book reported that the average car dealer had a 43-day supply of used cars at the beginning of March, which had declined to 39 days at the end of the month. Nerdwallet, Oc Register, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for used

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Used.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/used. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!