Use - definition, pronunciation, transcription

*
Amer.  |juːz|  American pronunciation of the word use
Brit.  |juːz|  British pronunciation of the word use

noun

- the act of using (syn: employment, exercise, usage, utilization)
he warned against the use of narcotic drugs
- what something is used for (syn: function, purpose, role)
ballet is beautiful but what use is it?
- a particular service
he put his knowledge to good use
patrons have their uses
- (economics) the utilization of economic goods to satisfy needs or in manufacturing (syn: consumption, usance)
- (psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition (syn: habit)
long use had hardened him to it
- exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage (syn: manipulation)
- (law) the exercise of the legal right to enjoy the benefits of owning property (syn: enjoyment)
we were given the use of his boat

verb

- put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose (syn: apply, employ, utilize)
use your head!
we only use Spanish at home
I can't use this tool
use the plastic bags to store the food
He doesn't know how to use a computer
- take or consume (regularly or habitually) (syn: habituate)
She uses drugs rarely
- use up, consume fully (syn: expend)
- seek or achieve an end by using to one's advantage
She uses her influential friends to get jobs
The president's wife used her good connections
- avail oneself to (syn: apply, practice)
use care when going down the stairs
use your common sense
- habitually do something or be in a certan state or place (use only in the past tense)
She used to call her mother every week but now she calls only occasionally
I used to get sick when I ate in that dining hall
They used to vacation in the Bahamas
she used to be his best friend and now they are enemies

Extra examples

Two players were suspended for illegal drug use.

Doctors have found a new use for the drug.

According to the dictionary, the word has two uses.

I need to use the phone when you're done.

The machine is easy to use.

After the accident, she could no longer use her legs.

We use only organic fertilizers on our farm.

They make paper using traditional Japanese methods.

He used his time there well.

Which accountant do you use?

A new kind of light bulb that uses very little electricity

Did you use all the eggs?

Who used the last match?

Let's use paper plates for the picnic.

Here, you can use this box as a table to rest the papers on.

Phrasal verbs

use up  — use up (resources or materials)

Word forms

verb
I/you/we/they: use
he/she/it: uses
present participle: using
past tense: used
past participle: used
noun
singular: use
plural: uses
Current translation version is made automatically. You can suggest your own version. Changes will take effect after the administrator approves them.
Original text in English:
Our translation to English:
Community translations to English:
    This feature is allowed to authorized users only.
    Please, register on our website at registration page. After registration you can log in and use that feature.
    Registration   Login   Home  
    ×