preloved

American

[pree-luhvd] / priˈlʌvd /

adjective

Informal.

previously used or owned; secondhand.

preloved British

/ ˈpriːˌlʌvd /

adjective

informal previously owned or used; second-hand

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does preloved mean? Preloved is an informal word that describes an item that was previously owned.Preloved is a euphemism, which is a milder way to say something to make it less harsh or blunt. Preloved is typically used to describe something for sale to avoid calling it used or secondhand.Example: I prefer buying preloved dishes—they just have more character than the cheap new stuff they sell these days.

Etymology

Origin of preloved

pre- + loved

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Wearing preloved clothing carries memory forward and also calls us back.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2024

In Glasgow city centre, rails and rails of preloved kid's clothing hang in a huge warehouse run by social enterprise, Apparel Xchange.

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2023

Contestants in this year's show will dress in a mix of new and preloved clothing.

From BBC • May 23, 2022

"The perception of preloved clothing has changed. Where it was once a case of only buying it if you couldn't afford anything else, it's now become trendy to wear second hand," Dr Khan explained.

From BBC • May 23, 2022

It’ll be more affordable when it’s been gently preloved.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 15, 2020

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023