Definition

1. 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., ).

usedAdjectivepreviously used or owned by anotherbought a secondhand (or used) carof persons; taken advantage ofafter going out of his way to help his friend get the job he felt not appreciated but usedemployed in accomplishing somethingthe principle of surprise is the most used and misused of all the principles of war- H.H.Arnold & I.C.Eaker