used

pronunciation

How to pronounce used in British English: UK [juːzd , juːst]word uk audio image

How to pronounce used in American English: US [juːzd , juːst] word us audio image

  • Adjective:
    employed in accomplishing something
    of persons; taken advantage of
    previously used or owned by another

Word Origin

used (adj.)
"second-hand," 1590s, past participle adjective from use (v.). To be used to "accustomed, familiar" is recorded by late 14c. Verbal phrase used to "formerly did or was" (as in I used to love her) represents a construction attested from c. 1300, and common from c. 1400, from use (intransitive) "be accustomed, practice customarily," but now surviving only in past tense form. The pronunciation is affected by the t- of to. Used-to-be (n.) "one who has outlived his fame" is from 1853.

Example

1. I admit that I used banned substances .
2. Kids used to go out and play after school and resolve problems on their own .
3. These were used packaging , plucked chicken feathers , tattered cotton and spent toothpaste tubes .
4. It fails when used too much .
5. You know who else used vcrs ?

more: >How to Use "used" with Example Sentences