use

See also used to

Pronunciation

verb

• (UK) enPR: yo͞oz, IPA ^(key): /juːz/, SAMPA: /ju:z/
• (US) enPR: yo͞oz, IPA ^(key): /juz/, SAMPA: /juz/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Homophones: ewes, yews

noun

• (UK) enPR: yo͞os, IPA ^(key): /juːs/, SAMPA: /ju:s/
• (US) enPR: yo͞os, IPA ^(key): /jus/, SAMPA: /jus/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form use

Third-person singular uses

Past tense used

Past participle used

Present participle using

1. Make use of; apply.
   • Synonyms: implement, make use of, put to use and apply
   • Antonym: ignore

   I use oil to cook.

   This hammer is used to hit the nails.

2. To treat as unimportant, abuse; used about people.
   • Synonym: abuse
   • Antonyms: cherish and respect

   She only uses him to do the house chores.

Related words

• misuse
• reuse
• disuse
• used
• unused
• user

Noun

Singular use

Plural uses

1. A way to apply something; an application.

   They put it to good use.

2. A time when something is applied.

   This battery will last for 2000 uses.

Related words

• useful
• usefulness
• useless
• uselessness