# use

Pronunciation: say "YOOZ" US /juz/, UK /juːz/

## Verb

1. To employ, apply, or put something to a purpose.
   - Simple: To do something with a thing, word, or method for a particular purpose.
   - _We use the formula to solve the problem._
   - _He uses public transport every day._
3. Now only in the form used to with an infinitive, to have done something regularly, or to have been the case, in the past but usually no longer. (pronounced: say "YOOS" US /jus/, UK /juːs/)
   - Simple: To have done something often or to have been true in the past, now mostly in 'used to'.
   - _They used to meet here every Friday._
   - _She used to sing in the choir._
7. With 'could', to benefit from or be able to employ or stand something.
   - Simple: With 'could', to want or need something.
   - _You could use a haircut, you know._
   - _We could all use some good news._
8. To accustom or habituate, now common only in the past participle. (pronounced: say "YOOS" US /jus/, UK /juːs/)
   - Simple: To make someone accustomed to something, now mostly in 'used to'.
   - _She is used to working late._
   - _The new workers got used to the noise of the factory within a week._
9. To exploit, or employ a person or thing selfishly.
   - Simple: To take advantage of a person for your own benefit.
   - _Don't let him use you; he only calls when he needs money._
   - _He uses everyone around him._
10. To expend or consume by employing, often with 'up'.
   - Simple: To finish or spend something, often with 'up'.
   - _They use up the whole budget by March._
   - _He used the last of the flour on Sunday._
11. To take alcohol or drugs, especially illegal or addictive drugs on a regular basis ('I have never used drugs'; 'addicts who use once more').
   - Simple: To take drugs or alcohol, especially often or because you are addicted.
   - _I have never used drugs of any kind._
   - _Teenagers who use alcohol early face more risks._

## Noun

2. The act of employing something; employment. (pronounced: say "YOOS" US /jus/, UK /juːs/)
   - Simple: The act of using something for a purpose.
   - _The use of cars in the city center is falling._
   - _The hotel offers guests free use of its pool and gym during their stay._
4. A purpose for which something can be used, or a need to use it, as in several medical uses or no use for an old printer. (pronounced: say "YOOS" US /jus/, UK /juːs/)
   - Simple: A purpose something can be used for, or a need for it, as in I have no use for this.
   - _The plant has several medical uses._
   - _Does this button have any use, or is it just for show?_
5. Usefulness, benefit, or point, usually followed by 'of'. (pronounced: say "YOOS" US /jus/, UK /juːs/)
   - Simple: How helpful something is, usually with 'of'.
   - _There is no use in waiting any longer._
   - _Of what use is money to the dead?_
6. The capacity or the right to make use of something, particularly a part of the body, one of the senses, or property owned by someone else.
   - Simple: Being able or allowed to use something, especially a body part, one of your senses, or someone else's things.
   - _Months of physical therapy helped her regain the use of her legs._
   - _Guests at the hotel have the use of the pool and the tennis courts._
12. The act of consuming drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. (pronounced: say "YOOS" US /jus/, UK /juːs/)
   - Simple: The taking of alcohol or drugs.
   - _Long-term use of painkillers can cause harm._
   - _The clinic asks about tobacco use._

## Noun

13. Continued or repeated practice; custom or habit. *(archaic)* (pronounced: say "YOOS" US /jus/, UK /juːs/)
   - Simple: Something done often, as a habit or custom.
15. Common occurrence; ordinary experience. *(obsolete)* (pronounced: say "YOOS" US /jus/, UK /juːs/)
   - Simple: What usually happens in ordinary life.
17. Interest on lent money; a premium paid for borrowing something, or usury. *(obsolete)* (pronounced: say "YOOS" US /jus/, UK /juːs/)
   - Simple: Money paid for borrowing money.

## Verb

14. To behave toward or treat someone or something. *(dated)*
   - Simple: To treat someone or something in a certain way.
   - _They use their servants kindly in that house._
   - _She felt she had been ill used by her friends._
16. With a reflexive pronoun, to behave, act, or comport oneself. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To behave in a certain way, with 'myself', 'themselves' and so on.

## Other meanings

- (noun) In Christianity, a particular form of a rite adopted in a given context, often a diocese.
- (noun) In forging, a slab of iron welded to the side of a forging such as a shaft near its end, then drawn down by hammering to lengthen it.

## Origin

For the noun, Latin ūsus ("use, custom, skill, habit"), related to the verb ūtor ("use"), passed through Old French us into Middle English use. For the verb, Medieval Latin usare, built on Latin uti ("to use"), became Old French user and then Middle English usen. Together they pushed out native English words such as note and brouken.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/use (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).