past and past participle verb
Made something help someone do a task or get a result.
She used this app to track her spending.
They used the back room for meetings.
American English
How to pronounce used
verb · adjectiveA1Very common word
YOOZD
/juzd̚/
One syllable.
Form of use
Used is both the past form and the past participle of use. It is also an adjective for something that is not new.
Made something help someone do a task or get a result.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
past and past participle verb
Spent or consumed something such as time, money, water, or energy.
The old truck used a lot of fuel.
We used all the hot water.
past and past participle verb
Treated a person like a tool to get what someone wanted, without caring about that person.
He used me to get a better job.
They used her for her money.
Good to know
This meaning is usually negative: the person is treated like a tool.
adjective
Describes something that was owned or used before and is not new.
I bought a used car.
This store sells used books.
Useful expressions
to finish all of something by taking or consuming it
We used up all the milk.
to have done something regularly in the past, but not now
I used to walk to work.
to be familiar with something and not find it difficult or strange
She's used to working late.
Related words & forms
In using, drop the final e: use → using.