Used Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈjuːzd/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

An item or resource that has been employed, invoked, or utilized for a particular purpose or in a specific context.

Examples

• The old bike was used for charity.
• The politician used his experience to inform his decision-making process.

Synonyms

• Employed
• Prompted
• Activated

Antonyms

• Closed
• Unused
• Inactive

Etymology

The word “used” originates from the Old English word “wesan,” which means “to be” or “to exist.” It is related to the Proto-Germanic word “*wesanaz” and ultimately descends from the Proto-Indo-European root “*es-,” which conveyed the idea of existence or being.

Usage Notes

In formal writing, the word “used” should be avoided in favor of more precise language. It is best used in informal contexts or in cases where a strong emphasis is placed on the utilization of an item or resource.

However, the word “used” is commonly employed in everyday conversation and is often used to indicate that an item has been previously employed or has a history of use.

Cultural References

The concept of “used” has been referenced in various forms of media. For example, in the movie “Inception,” the idea of shared dreaming and the blurring of reality and fantasy explores the notion of “used” as a tool for invading one’s memories and shaping perceptions.

Additionally, the term has been used in music to describe the process of repurposing or reusing old sounds and samples to create new compositions.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Some common idioms or phrases that include the word “used” include:

• Used to: This phrase is often used to describe a habit or practice that was once common but is no longer.
• Get used to: This phrase is often used to advise someone to become accustomed to something or someone.
• Data used by: This phrase is often used in computing to indicate the source of data used in a particular application or system.

Related Words or Phrases

Some related words or phrases that are closely linked to “used” include:

• Employed: This word refers to an individual who is using their abilities or skills in a particular occupation or field.
• Prompted: This word implies that something was used to elicit a particular reaction or response.
• Activated: This word refers to an item or system that has been turned on or otherwise engaged.

Collocations

Some common collocations with the term “used” include:

• used car
• used book
• used electronics
• used machinery

Frequency of Use

The word “used” is a very common word in everyday conversation and is often used to indicate the employment or utilization of an item or resource.

According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, “used” is among the top 100 most frequently used words in American English, with a usage frequency of approximately 0.15%.

Common Misspellings

Some common misspellings and variations of the word “used” include:

• us’d
• usid
• useed