user

¹

[ yoo-zer ]

noun

1. a person or thing that uses.
2. a person who is addicted to or abuses a controlled substance or alcohol; one who uses illegal or addictive drugs, as in drug user
3. Digital Technology. a person who uses a computer, device, or application:

   This interface should be more intuitive for users.

user

²

[ oo-zer ]

noun

, Law.

1. the exercise of a right to the enjoyment of property.

user

/ ˈjuːzə /

noun

1. law
   1. the continued exercise, use, or enjoyment of a right, esp in property
   2. a presumptive right based on long-continued use

      right of user

2. often in combination a person or thing that uses

   a road-user

3. informal.
   a drug addict

Word History and Origins

Origin of user¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English usere; use, -er ¹

Origin of user²

Noun use of Anglo-French user to use

Example Sentences

"In my view, this kind of talk from the Minister in the Presidency is disgraceful and dangerous hate speech," one user said.

From BBC

“Don’t worry,” replied another user on Xiaohongshu, a Chinese photo and video sharing app similar to Instagram.

From Los Angeles Times

Like their American counterparts, Russian police operate on a system of quotas, and to meet those demands a common tactic was to catch a low-level seller or user, then put the squeeze on them till they turn in their buddies.

From Salon

Patient zero for this ad experiment appears to be X user @FearedBuck, who started as a Milwaukee Bucks fan account but later pivoted to posting Kick clips full time.

From Slate

Viewers, seemingly tired of the account’s engagement-baiting antics and appalled by the obvious money grab, Community Noted all of @FearedBuck’s Stake-sponsored posts, explaining that the user was violating X’s guidelines on undisclosed promotions as well as violating the Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines on gambling advertisements.

From Slate

Related Words

• addict
• drug abuser
• drug addict
• drug user
• junkie
• narcotics addict