used
yoozd
Used (adj) means Previously owned or employed by someone else; not new. Example: “They bought a used car to save money.”
adj
1
Previously owned or employed by someone else; not new.
"They bought a used car to save money."
"She found a used bicycle in good condition at the market."
"Many students buy used textbooks because they cost much less."
2
In the phrase "used to," describing something that happened regularly in the past but no longer does.
"I used to live in Manchester before I moved south."
"We used to play football in the park every Sunday morning."
"My grandfather used to tell us stories before we went to sleep."
How to use used
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot brand new (a used car), or — as "used to" — describing a past habit that has since stopped.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "I used to swim" (a past habit) with "I am used to swimming" (being accustomed to something now) — they mean different things despite looking similar.
Common pairings
used car
used to
get used to
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more used
- Superlative
- most used
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They bought a _____ car to save money.
Etymology
From use + -ed.
Synonyms
View more →
second-hand
pre-owned
previously owned
secondhand
hand-me-down
not new
worn
exploited
victimized
victimised
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for used
See all rhymes for used →Frequently asked questions
What does “used” mean?
The word “used” means previously owned or employed by someone else; not new. In plain terms, not brand new (a used car), or — as "used to" — describing a past habit that has since stopped.
How do you pronounce “used”?
“Used” is pronounced yoozd (/juzd/ in IPA).
How do you use “used” in a sentence?
Here is “used” used in a sentence: “They bought a used car to save money.”
What part of speech is “used”?
“Used” is an adjective.
Is “used” a common word?
“Used” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “used” have?
“Used” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: previously owned or employed by someone else; not new.
What is the difference between used and new?
'Used' means an item has already been owned or operated by someone else, so it's no longer new. 'New' means unused and freshly made or bought, never previously owned. A used car has had at least one owner and some wear, while a new one comes straight from the maker or dealer, untouched.
Is 'used' the same as 'second-hand'?
Essentially yes — both mean an item has had a previous owner and isn't new. 'Second-hand' is simply a more explicit way of saying 'used,' common in British English. 'Pre-owned' is a polished marketing term for the same idea, often used for cars and luxury goods to sound more appealing than 'used.'
What is the difference between used and refurbished?
'Used' simply means previously owned, sold as-is in whatever condition it happens to be. 'Refurbished' means a used item has been inspected, repaired, cleaned, and restored to good working order, often by the maker. So all refurbished goods are used, but they've been reconditioned rather than passed on untouched.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing used in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Beth Brown regularly used tanning beds since 2018, when she was 22 years old, switching between utilizing them either twice a month or once a week.
From
People · Jul 25, 2026
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