used
/ju:zd/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Previously owned or utilized: Describing an object that has had a prior owner or has been employed for a purpose before.
- Familiar with; accustomed to: Describing a state of being familiar or habituated to something through repeated experience. (Note: This sense is typically used in the phrase "used to").
- Employed; put to use: Describing something that is utilized for a specific purpose.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- She bought a used car to save money. (Describing a previously owned object).
- He is used to the cold weather after living there for years. (Describing a state of being accustomed).
- The used towels were collected for laundry. (Describing items that have been utilized).
Advanced Usage
"to be/get used to (something/doing something)": To be or become accustomed or familiar with something.
- I am used to waking up early. (I am accustomed to it).
- It took her a month to get used to the new software. (She became accustomed to it).
"used to (do something)": Indicates a past habit or state that is no longer true. This is a separate, fixed verbal phrase.
- I used to play the piano when I was a child. (I played it in the past, but I do not now).
Variants and Related Words
Use (verb/noun): The act of employing something or the state of being employed.
- The use of smartphones is widespread. (Noun form).
- May I use your pen? (Verb form).
Usable (adjective): Capable of being used.
- The old computer is still usable for basic tasks.
Disused (adjective): No longer used or in service.
- The disused factory was overgrown with weeds.
Synonyms
- Secondhand: Previously owned by someone else.
- Accustomed: Familiar with something through habit.
- Utilized: Made use of; employed.
Related Phrases
Well-used: Showing signs of much use; worn.
- The book was well-used, with dog-eared pages and notes in the margins.
Little-used: Rarely used or employed.
- He took a shortcut down a little-used path.
Important Notes
- The adjective used meaning "accustomed" is almost always followed by the preposition "to" (e.g., ).
- The phrase "used to" + base verb (e.g., ) is a distinct grammatical structure for describing past habits or states. It is not an adjective phrase.
- The adjective used meaning "previously owned" does not require a following preposition (e.g., ).