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use

noun verb

The act of using.

Quick reference

Word Facts

Word length
3
Starts with
U
Ends with
E
Contains
S
Scrabble score
3
Database source
OEWN 2025 Core

How it sounds

Pronunciation

juːs

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Audio Pronunciation

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Meaning

Definitions

noun

  1. The act of using.

    “The use of torture has been condemned by the United Nations.”

  2. The act of consuming alcohol or narcotics.

  3. (followed by "of") Usefulness, benefit.

    “What's the use of a law that nobody follows?”

  4. A function; a purpose for which something may be employed.

    “This tool has many uses.”

  5. Occasion or need to employ; necessity.

    “I have no further use for these textbooks.”

  6. Interest for lent money; premium paid for the use of something; usury.

  7. Continued or repeated practice; usage; habit.

  8. Common occurrence; ordinary experience.

  9. The special form of ritual adopted for use in any diocese.

    “the Sarum, or Canterbury, use; the Hereford use; the York use; the Roman use; etc.”

  10. (forging) A slab of iron welded to the side of a forging, such as a shaft, near the end, and afterward drawn down, by hammering, so as to lengthen the forging.

verb

  1. To utilize or employ.

  2. To accustom; to habituate. (Now common only in participial form. Uses the same pronunciation as the noun; see usage notes.)

    “soldiers who are used to hardships and danger”

  3. (except in past tense) To habitually do; to be wont to do. (Now chiefly in past-tense forms; see used to.)

    “I used to get things done.”

  4. To behave toward; to act with regard to; to treat.

    “to use an animal cruelly”

  5. To behave, act, comport oneself.

In context

Example Sentences

The use of torture has been condemned by the United Nations.
What's the use of a law that nobody follows?
This tool has many uses.
I have no further use for these textbooks.
the Sarum, or Canterbury, use; the Hereford use; the York use; the Roman use; etc.
soldiers who are used to hardships and danger
I used to get things done.
to use an animal cruelly

Similar words

Synonyms

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