use

[ verb yooz yoost; noun yoos ]

verb (used with object)

, used, us·ing.

1. to employ for some purpose; put into service; make use of:

   to use a knife.

2. to avail oneself of; apply to one's own purposes:

   to use the facilities.

3. to expend or consume in use:

   We have used the money provided.

   Synonyms: waste, exhaust

4. to treat or behave toward:

   He did not use his employees with much consideration.

5. to take unfair advantage of; exploit:

   to use people to gain one's own ends.

6. to drink, smoke, or ingest habitually:

   to use drugs.

7. to habituate or accustom.

   Synonyms: inure, familiarize

8. Archaic. to practice habitually or customarily; make a practice of.

verb (used without object)

, used, us·ing.

1. to be accustomed or customarily found (used with an infinitive expressed or understood, and, except in archaic use, now only in the past):

   He used to go every day.

2. Archaic. to resort, stay, or dwell customarily.

noun

1. the act of employing, using, or putting into service:

   the use of tools.

2. the state of being employed or used.

   Synonyms: utilization, exercise, application, employment

3. an instance or way of employing or using something:

   proper use of the tool; the painter's use of color.

   Synonyms: handling

4. a way of being employed or used; a purpose for which something is used:

   He was of temporary use. The instrument has different uses.

5. the power, right, or privilege of employing or using something:

   to lose the use of the right eye; to be denied the use of a library card.

6. service or advantage in or for being employed or used; utility or usefulness:

   of no practical use.

7. help; profit; resulting good:

   What's the use of pursuing the matter?

8. occasion or need, as for something to be employed or used:

   Would you have any use for another calendar?

9. continued, habitual, or customary employment or practice; custom:

   to follow the prevailing use of such occasions.

10. Law.
    1. the enjoyment of property, as by the employment, occupation, or exercise of it.
    2. the benefit or profit of lands and tenements in the possession of another who simply holds them for the beneficiary.
    3. the equitable ownership of land to which the legal title is in another's name.
11. Liturgy. the distinctive form of ritual or of any liturgical observance used in a particular church, diocese, community, etc.
12. usual or customary experience.

verb phrase

1. 1. to consume entirely.
   2. to exhaust of vigor or usefulness; finish:

      By the end of the war he felt used up and sick of life.

use

verb

1. to put into service or action; employ for a given purpose

   to use a spoon to stir with

2. to make a practice or habit of employing; exercise

   he uses his brain

3. to behave towards

   to use a friend well

4. to behave towards in a particular way for one's own ends

   he uses people

5. to consume, expend, or exhaust

   the engine uses very little oil

6. to partake of (alcoholic drink, drugs, etc) or smoke (tobacco, marijuana, etc)

noun

1. the act of using or the state of being used

   the carpet wore out through constant use

2. the ability, right, or permission to use
3. the occasion to use; need

   I have no use for this paper

4. an instance or manner of using
5. usefulness; advantage

   it is of no use to complain

6. custom; practice; habit

   long use has inured him to it

7. the purpose for which something is used; end
8. Christianity a distinctive form of liturgical or ritual observance, esp one that is traditional in a Church or group of Churches
9. the enjoyment of property, land, etc, by occupation or by deriving revenue or other benefit from it
10. law the beneficial enjoyment of property the legal title to which is held by another person as trustee
11. law an archaic word for trust
12. philosophy logic linguistics the occurrence of an expression in such a context that it performs its own linguistic function rather than being itself referred to. In " Fido " refers to Fido, the name Fido is 'used' only on the second occurrence, first being mentioned Compare mention See also material mode
13. have no use for
    1. to have no need of
    2. to have a contemptuous dislike for
14. make use of
    1. to employ; use
    2. to exploit (a person)

Confusables Note

See usage none.

Other Words From

• multi·use adjective
• non·use noun
• non·using adjective
• re·use verb reused reusing noun
• under·use verb (used with object) underused underusing noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of use¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; (verb) Middle English usen, from Old French user, from Latin ūsus, past participle of ūtī “to use”; (noun) Middle English, from Old French, from Latin ūsus “act of using a thing, application, employment,” equivalent to ūt-, stem of ūtī “to use” + -tus suffix of verbal action, with tt becoming s

Word History and Origins

Origin of use¹

C13: from Old French user to use, from Latin ūsus having used, from ūtī to use

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. have no use for,
   1. to have no occasion or need for:

      She appears to have no use for the city.

   2. to refuse to tolerate; discount:

      He had no use for his brother.

   3. to have a distaste for; dislike:

      He has no use for dictators.

2. make use of, to use for one's own purposes; employ:

   Charitable organizations will make use of your old furniture and clothing.

3. of no use, of no advantage or help: Also no use.

   It's of no use to look for that missing earring. It's no use asking her to go.

4. put to use, to apply; employ to advantage:

   What a shame that no one has put that old deserted mansion to use!

More idioms and phrases containing use

• have no use for
• make use of
• no use
• put to good use
• used

Example Sentences

“I think people should be concerned, in the military and out of it, about the politicization of the military, and the attempt to use it to do the president’s personal will,” said Benjamin Friedman, policy director of the Washington-based think tank Defense Priorities, which advocates for restraint in U.S. foreign policy.

From Los Angeles Times

In announcing his choice of the “courageous and patriotic” Hegseth for the top defense job, Trump again touted his self-described policy of “peace through strength” — deterrence underpinned by a willingness to use military force when necessary.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Florida’s law, it remains a felony to perform or actively participate in an abortion six weeks after gestation, with limited exceptions that are designed to be difficult to use and frequently act as another burden for patients to overcome.

From Salon

And such is the pace of linguistic change, many words in current use today are too new to make it in.

From BBC

Now the OfS says by 2025-26, 72% could be spending more money than they have coming in and may have to use an overdraft or financial reserves.

From BBC

Related Words

• benefit
• function
• help
• need
• purpose
• value