[ verb yooz or, for past tense form of 9, yoost; noun yoos ]
/ verb yuz or, for past tense form of 9, yust; noun yus /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR use ON THESAURUS.COM
verb (used with object),used,us·ing.
to employ for some purpose; put into service; make use of: to use a knife.
to avail oneself of; apply to one's own purposes: to use the facilities.
to expend or consume in use: We have used the money provided.
to treat or behave toward: He did not use his employees with much consideration.
to take unfair advantage of; exploit: to use people to gain one's own ends.
to drink, smoke, or ingest habitually: to use drugs.
to habituate or accustom.
Archaic. to practice habitually or customarily; make a practice of.
verb (used without object),used,us·ing.
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.
Archaic. to resort, stay, or dwell customarily.
noun
the act of employing, using, or putting into service: the use of tools.
the state of being employed or used.
an instance or way of employing or using something: proper use of the tool; the painter's use of color.
a way of being employed or used; a purpose for which something is used: He was of temporary use. The instrument has different uses.
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.
service or advantage in or for being employed or used; utility or usefulness: of no practical use.
help; profit; resulting good: What's the use of pursuing the matter?
occasion or need, as for something to be employed or used: Would you have any use for another calendar?
continued, habitual, or customary employment or practice; custom: to follow the prevailing use of such occasions.
Law.
the enjoyment of property, as by the employment, occupation, or exercise of it.
the benefit or profit of lands and tenements in the possession of another who simply holds them for the beneficiary.
the equitable ownership of land to which the legal title is in another's name.
Liturgy. the distinctive form of ritual or of any liturgical observance used in a particular church, diocese, community, etc.
usual or customary experience.
Verb Phrases
use up,
to consume entirely.
to exhaust of vigor or usefulness; finish: By the end of the war he felt used up and sick of life.
Idioms for use
have no use for,
to have no occasion or need for: She appears to have no use for the city.
to refuse to tolerate; discount: He had no use for his brother.
to have a distaste for; dislike: He has no use for dictators.
make use of, to use for one's own purposes; employ: Charitable organizations will make use of your old furniture and clothing.
of no use, of no advantage or help: It's of no use to look for that missing earring. It's no use asking her to go.Also no use.
put to use, to apply; employ to advantage: What a shame that no one has put that old deserted mansion to use!
Origin of use
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
1. Use,utilize mean to make something serve one's purpose. Use is the general word: to use a telephone; to use a saw and other tools; to use one's eyes; to use eggs in cooking. (What is used often has depreciated or been diminished, sometimes completely consumed: a used automobile; All the butter has been used. ) As applied to persons, use implies some selfish or sinister purpose: to use another to advance oneself.Utilize implies practical or profitable use: to utilize the means at hand, a modern system of lighting.
There is no such thing as speech so hateful or offensive it somehow “justifies” or “legitimizes” the use of violence.
Trolls and Martyrdom: Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie|Arthur Chu|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In Israel, however, a new law took effect January 1st that banned the use of underweight models.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In the meantime, Epstein has tried to use his charitable projects to float him back to the top.
Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking|M.L. Nestel|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And in order for them to realize their vision, they are willing to use any means.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Following the Apatow references, Marge informs Homer that she needs to use the “Porta Potty.”
Here’s the Lost Judd Apatow ‘Simpsons’ Episode, Penned by Judd Apatow|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They use these almadias for catching fish, and for transporting themselves up or down the river.
A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. II|Robert Kerr
Many say that the use of opium is no evil, but those who say that have never known India, or else they are blind.
Letters of a Javanese Princess|Raden Adjeng Kartini
Human nature is a hateful, ugly thing; there is no use in thinking about it.
The Good Comrade|Una L. Silberrad
It'd take all he's worth to feed him through the winter, and he'd be no use to you at all.
The Hills of Desire|Richard Aumerle Maher
A few copies of these letters were printed for the use of the Abbotsford Club.
The Book-Hunter|John Hill Burton
British Dictionary definitions for use
use
verb (juːz) (tr)
to put into service or action; employ for a given purposeto use a spoon to stir with
to make a practice or habit of employing; exercisehe uses his brain
to behave towardsto use a friend well
to behave towards in a particular way for one's own endshe uses people
to consume, expend, or exhaustthe engine uses very little oil
mainlyUS and Canadianto partake of (alcoholic drink, drugs, etc) or smoke (tobacco, marijuana, etc)
noun (juːs)
the act of using or the state of being usedthe carpet wore out through constant use
the ability, right, or permission to use
the occasion to use; needI have no use for this paper
an instance or manner of using
usefulness; advantageit is of no use to complain
custom; practice; habitlong use has inured him to it
the purpose for which something is used; end
Christianitya distinctive form of liturgical or ritual observance, esp one that is traditional in a Church or group of Churches
the enjoyment of property, land, etc, by occupation or by deriving revenue or other benefit from it
lawthe beneficial enjoyment of property the legal title to which is held by another person as trustee
law an archaic word for trust (def. 7)
philosophylogiclinguisticsthe 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 mentionedCompare mention (def. 7) See also material mode
have no use for
to have no need of
to have a contemptuous dislike for
make use of
to employ; use
to exploit (a person)
See also used to, use up
Word Origin for use
C13: from Old French user to use, from Latin ūsus having used, from ūtī to use
“Use To” vs. “Used To”: What’s The Difference?Use this article to clear up any confusion you have over the uses of "used to" and "use to." You'll soon make it a habit to use each one correctly.
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