# used

Pronunciation: say "YOOZD" US /juzd/, UK /juːzd/

## Verb

1. Simple past and past participle of use. — simple past and past participle of use
   - Simple: Simple past and past participle of use. Use it for the past, or after has, have, had, is, was or were.
   - _The chef used fresh herbs in nearly every dish._
   - _We used the old map to find the hidden trail._
3. Indicating an action or state that occurred regularly or was true in the past but does not continue into the present. (pronounced: say "YOOST" US /just/, UK /juːst/)
   - Simple: Tells about something that happened often before but does not happen now.
   - _There used to be a bakery on this corner before the fire._
   - _People used to send long letters when telephones were rare._

## Adjective

2. Previously owned or possessed by another person, rather than being new.
   - Simple: Owned by someone before you, not brand new.
   - _They saved money by buying a used car instead of a new one._
   - _The dealership keeps a separate lot for used vehicles._
4. Accustomed to something through repeated experience, so it no longer seems strange or difficult. (pronounced: say "YOOST" US /just/, UK /juːst/)
   - Simple: Familiar with something because you have done or felt it many times.
   - _After a month abroad, he was used to the unfamiliar food._
   - _Nurses on night shifts grow used to working while the city sleeps._
5. Having already been put to use, and so no longer fresh, clean, or unused.
   - Simple: Already put to use, so not fresh or clean anymore.
   - _The sink was piled high with used dishes after the party._
   - _She tossed the used tissue into the trash and reached for a clean one._

## Origin

From Middle English used, equivalent to use plus the suffix -ed.

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