usage
Usage (noun) means the act or amount of using something, such as electricity, data, or a resource. Example: “Their water usage spiked during the summer months.”
How to use usage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither how much of something gets used, or the accepted way a word or phrase is normally used.
Word forms
usages plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Their water _____ spiked during the summer months.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman and Old French usage, built from use + -age.
Related words
Rhymes for usage
See all rhymes for usage →Frequently asked questions
What does “usage” mean?
The word “usage” means the act or amount of using something, such as electricity, data, or a resource. In plain terms, either how much of something gets used, or the accepted way a word or phrase is normally used.
How do you pronounce “usage”?
“Usage” is pronounced YOO-sihj (/ˈjuːsɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “usage” in a sentence?
Here is “usage” used in a sentence: “Their water usage spiked during the summer months.”
What part of speech is “usage”?
“Usage” is a noun.
Where does the word “usage” come from?
The word “usage” comes from Old French. From Anglo-Norman and Old French usage, built from use + -age.
Is “usage” a common word?
“Usage” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “usage” have?
“Usage” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act or amount of using something, such as electricity, data, or a resource.
What is the difference between "usage" and "use"?
"Use" is the broad, everyday word for the act of using something, while "usage" often refers to the amount of a resource consumed, such as data or electricity, or to the customary way words are used by speakers.
When should you use "usage" instead of "use"?
Choose "usage" when you mean the measured amount of a resource consumed, or when discussing accepted conventions of language. Use "use" for the simple act or purpose of using an object.
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