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
Gilbert Millsteinused
2 of 2past 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
Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
Kresch pointed out that lawmakers are currently considering two different pieces of legislation, Senate Bill 416 and House Bill 5153, that would amend the eligibility requirements of the CHEAPR program to be more geared toward low-income buyers and used vehicles.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
At the start of Bloodline, a former used car salesman, Winston Alcorn, has moved his wife, Mandy, and their two young sons from Lexington, Kentucky, to rural Lebanon, Tennessee.
—Francine Prose, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Whereas most Americans believe that 25% of the federal budget goes to foreign aid, only 1% actually does, with even less used to aid in global poverty.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for used
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show current usage.
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Adjective
CarMax Auto Finance is one online lender that specializes in used car sales and helps match you to a lender that fits your needs.
—Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
Kresch pointed out that lawmakers are currently considering two different pieces of legislation, Senate Bill 416 and House Bill 5153, that would amend the eligibility requirements of the CHEAPR program to be more geared toward low-income buyers and used vehicles.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
At the start of Bloodline, a former used car salesman, Winston Alcorn, has moved his wife, Mandy, and their two young sons from Lexington, Kentucky, to rural Lebanon, Tennessee.
—Francine Prose, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Whereas most Americans believe that 25% of the federal budget goes to foreign aid, only 1% actually does, with even less used to aid in global poverty.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for used
Cite this Entry
“Used.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/used. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
3
: having the habit of doing or experiencing
is used to flying
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