noun · verb · 35 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:yo͞os
Received-Pronunciation:/juːs/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Canada, General-American:yo͞os
Canada, General-American:/jus/
Canada, General-American:[jɪu̯s]
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
/(j)ɪu̯s/Ottawa Valley
Australian, New-Zealand:yo͞os
Australian, New-Zealand:/jʉːs/
Northern-Ireland, Scotland:/jʉs/
rhymes with -uːs
Received-Pronunciation:yo͞oz
Received-Pronunciation:/juːz/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Canada, General-American:yo͞oz
Canada, General-American:/juz/
Canada, General-American:[jɪu̯z]
General-American:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
/(j)ɪu̯z/Ottawa Valley
Australian, New-Zealand:/jʉːz/
Northern-Ireland, Scotland:/jʉz/
Northern-Ireland, Scotland:[jʉːz]
homophone: ewes
homophone: yews (in most accents)
homophone: yous
homophone: youse
rhymes with -uːz
CMU ARPABET:Y UW1 S
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:Y UW1 Z
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The act of using.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
The use of torture has been condemned by the United Nations.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: employment, usage, note, nait
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
The act of consuming alcohol or narcotics.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
Usefulness, utility, benefit; purpose, point.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
Examples
Near-synonyms: meaning, meaningfulness
What's the use of a law that nobody follows?
There's no use in spewing a million words about it; whatever will be, will be.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: meaning, meaningfulness
Antonyms: no use, uselessness, pointlessness, purposelessness, meaninglessness
4
noun
Meaning 4
A function; a purpose for which something may be employed.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
This tool has many uses.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
Occasion or need to employ; necessity.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
I have no further use for these textbooks.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
Interest for lent money; premium paid for the use of something; usury.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, obsolete, rare, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
Continued or repeated practice; usage; habit.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic, countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
noun
Meaning 8
Common occurrence; ordinary experience.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, obsolete, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
noun
Meaning 9
A special form of a rite adopted for use in a particular context, often a diocese.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Topics: Christianity
Examples
the Sarum, or Canterbury, use; the York use; the Ordinariate use
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
noun
Meaning 10
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.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Qualifier: forging
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
11
verb
Meaning 11
To utilize or employ.
To employ; to apply; to utilize.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
Use this knife to slice the bread.
We can use this mathematical formula to solve the problem.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
12
verb
Meaning 12
To utilize or employ.
To expend; to consume by employing.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: often, transitive, with-up
Examples
I used the money they allotted me.
We should use up most of the fuel.
She used all the time allotted to complete the test.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
13
verb
Meaning 13
To utilize or employ.
To exploit.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
You never cared about me; you just used me!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
14
verb
Meaning 14
To utilize or employ.
To consume (alcohol, drugs, etc), especially regularly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
He uses cocaine.
I have never used drugs.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
15
verb
Meaning 15
To utilize or employ.
To consume a previously specified substance, especially a drug to which one is addicted.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
Richard began experimenting with cocaine last year; now he uses almost every day.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
16
verb
Meaning 16
To utilize or employ.
To benefit from; to be able to employ or stand.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
I could use a drink.
My car could use a new coat of paint.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
17
verb
Meaning 17
To utilize or employ.
To suggest or request that other people employ a specific set of gender pronouns when referring to the subject.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
I use they/them pronouns.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: go by
Antonyms: none provided
18
verb
Meaning 18
To accustom; to habituate. (Now common only in participial form. Uses the same pronunciation as the noun; see usage notes.)
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
soldiers who are used to hardships and danger
to use the soldiers to hardships and danger
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
19
verb
Meaning 19
To accustom; to habituate. (Now common only in participial form. Uses the same pronunciation as the noun; see usage notes.)
To accustom oneself.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete, reflexive
Examples
1742, Samuel Richardson, Pamela, London: S. Richardson, 4th edition, Volume 3, Letter 12, p. 53, So that reading constantly, and thus using yourself to write, and enjoying besides the Benefit of a good Memory, every thing you heard or read, became your own [...]
1769, John Leland, Discourses on Various Subjects, London: W. Johnston and J. Dodsley, Volume 1, Discourse 16, p. 311, [...] we must be constant and faithful to our Words and Promises, and use ourselves to be so even in smaller Matters [...]
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
20
verb
Meaning 20
To habitually do; to be wont to do. (Now chiefly in past-tense forms; see used to.)
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Qualifier: archaic or literary except in past tense
Examples
I used to get things done.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
21
verb
Meaning 21
To behave toward; to act with regard to; to treat.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated
Examples
to use an animal cruelly
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
22
verb
Meaning 22
To behave, act, comport oneself.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete, reflexive
Examples
1551, Thomas More, Utopia, London: B. Alsop & T. Fawcet, 1639, “Of Bond-men, Sicke persons, Wedlocke, and divers other matters,” page 231, They live together lovingly: For no Magistrate is either haughty or fearefull. Fathers they be called, and like fathers they use themselves.
c. 1558, George Cavendish, The Life and Death of Thomas Wolsey, cardinal, edited by Grace H. M. Simpson, London: R. & T. Washbourne, 1901, page 57, I pray to God that this may be a sufficient admonition unto thee to use thyself more wisely hereafter, for assure thyself that if thou dost not amend thy prodigality, thou wilt be the last Earl of our house.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
23
noun
Meaning 23
exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
his manipulation of his friends was scandalous
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: manipulation
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: influence
Narrower terms: mind game
24
noun
Meaning 24
(psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
owls have nocturnal habits
she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair
long use had hardened him to it
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: habit
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: custom, usage, usance
Narrower terms: ritual, second nature, cleanliness
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
use your head!
we only use Spanish at home
I can't use this tool
Apply a magnetic field here
This thinking was applied to many projects
How do you utilize this tool?
I apply this rule to get good results
use the plastic bags to store the food
He doesn't know how to use a computer
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: utilize, utilise, apply, employ
Antonyms: none provided
Narrower terms: give, dedicate, consecrate, commit, devote, play, pull out all the stops, put, assign, ply, address, waste, misapply, misuse, avail, overuse, overdrive, cannibalize, cannibalise, recycle, reprocess, reuse, exploit, work, tap, strain, extend, exert, exercise, enjoy, take, share, put to work, implement, fall back, resort, recur
32
verb
Meaning 32
take or consume (regularly or habitually)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
She uses drugs rarely
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: habituate
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: consume, ingest, take in, take, have
Narrower terms: drink, tope, board
33
verb
Meaning 33
habitually do something (use only in the past tense)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
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
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: act, move
34
verb
Meaning 34
avail oneself to
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
apply a principle
practice a religion
use care when going down the stairs
use your common sense
practice non-violent resistance
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: practice, apply
Antonyms: none provided
Narrower terms: follow
35
verb
Meaning 35
seek or achieve an end by using to one's advantage
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
She uses her influential friends to get jobs
The president's wife used her good connections
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: exploit, work
Narrower terms: trespass, take advantage
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Italic *oissos Latin ūsus Old French usbor. Middle English use English use Inherited from Middle English use, from Old French us, from Latin ūsus (“use, custom, skill, habit”), from past participle stem of ūtor (“use”). Displaced native Middle English note (“use”) (see note) from Old English notu; Middle English nutte (“use”) from Old English nytt; as well as Old English fricu and Old English sidu.
Etymology tree Latin ūtī Early Medieval Latin ūsō Early Medieval Latin ūsāre Old French userbor. Middle English usen English use Inherited from Middle English usen, from Old French user (“use, employ, practice”), from Medieval Latin usare (“use”), frequentative form of past participle stem of Latin uti (“to use”). Displaced native Middle English noten, nutten (“to use”) (from Old English notian, nēotan, nyttian) and Middle English brouken, bruken (“to use, enjoy”) (from Old English brūcan).
Across languages
Translations
453 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Albanian:
përdor
— act of using
Arabic:
اِسْتِعْمَال
(istiʕmāl)
— act of using
Arabic:
اِسْتِخْدَام
(istiḵdām)
— act of using
Armenian:
օգտագործում
(ōgtagorcum)
— act of using
Asturian:
usu
— act of using
Basque:
erabilketa
— act of using
Belarusian:
ужыва́нне
(užyvánnje)
— act of using
Belarusian:
ўжыва́нне
(wžyvánnje)
— act of using
Bengali:
ব্যবহার
(bêbohar)
— act of using
Breton:
implij
— act of using
Bulgarian:
изпо́лзване
(izpólzvane)
— act of using
Bulgarian:
употре́ба
(upotréba)
— act of using
Catalan:
ús
— act of using
Cebuano:
gamit
— act of using
Chinese Cantonese:
用
(jung6)
— act of using
Chinese Cantonese:
使用
(si2 jung6)
— act of using
Chinese:
йүн
(yün)
— act of using
Chinese:
сыйүн
(sɨyün)
— act of using
Chinese Mandarin:
用
(yòng)
— act of using
Chinese Mandarin:
使用
(shǐyòng)
— act of using
Chinese Mandarin:
利用
(lìyòng)
— act of using
Czech:
použití
— act of using
Dutch:
gebruik
— act of using
Estonian:
kasutama
— act of using
Finnish:
käyttö
— act of using
French:
usage
— act of using
French:
emploi
— act of using
French:
utilisation
— act of using
Galician:
uso
— act of using
Georgian:
სარგებლობა
(sargebloba)
— act of using
Georgian:
გამოყენება
(gamoq̇eneba)
— act of using
Georgian:
ხმარება
(xmareba)
— act of using
German:
Benutzung
— act of using
German:
Anwendung
— act of using
German:
Gebrauch
— act of using
Greek:
χρήση
(chrísi)
— act of using
Ancient Greek:
χρῆσις
(khrêsis)
— act of using
Hebrew:
שימוש \ שִׁמּוּשׁ
(shimúsh)
— act of using
Higaonon:
gamit
— act of using
Hindi:
उपयोग
(upyog)
— act of using
Hungarian:
használat
— act of using
Hungarian:
felhasználás
— act of using
Hungarian:
alkalmazás
— act of using
Irish:
úsáid
— act of using
Italian:
uso
— act of using
Japanese:
使用
(shiyō)
— act of using
Japanese:
利用
(riyō)
— act of using
Kannada:
ಬಳಕೆ
(baḷake)
— act of using
Korean:
사용
(sayong)
— act of using
Central Kurdish:
بەکارھێنان
(bekarhênan)
— act of using
Northern Kurdish:
bi kar anîn
— act of using
Latin:
ūsus
— act of using
Latin:
usurpatio
— act of using
Latvian:
lietojums
— act of using
Livonian:
kȭlbatõ
— act of using
Macedonian:
употреба
(upotreba)
— act of using
Malay:
kegunaan
— act of using
Malayalam:
ഉപയോഗം
(upayōgaṁ)
— act of using
Marathi:
उपयोग
(upyog)
— act of using
Khiamniungan Naga:
kākèi
— act of using
Norwegian Bokmål:
bruk
— act of using
Norwegian Bokmål:
anvendelse
— act of using
Norwegian Nynorsk:
bruk
— act of using
Old English:
nytt
— act of using
Pannonian Rusyn:
хасен
(xasen)
— act of using
Pannonian Rusyn:
хаснованє
(xasnovanje)
— act of using
Persian:
کاربرد
(kârbord)
— act of using
Persian:
استفاده
(estefāde)
— act of using
Piedmontese:
usagi
— act of using
Polish:
użycie
— act of using
Polish:
stosowanie
— act of using
Polish:
użytek
— act of using
Portuguese:
uso
— act of using
Punjabi:
ਵਰਤੋਂ
(vartõ)
— act of using
Punjabi:
وَرْتوْں
(vartoṉ)
— act of using
Romanian:
folosire
— act of using
Romanian:
uz
— act of using
Romanian:
întrebuințare
— act of using
Romansh:
niz
— act of using
Russian:
употребле́ние
(upotreblénije)
— act of using
Russian:
примене́ние
(primenénije)
— act of using
Russian:
испо́льзование
(ispólʹzovanije)
— act of using
Scots:
uiss
— act of using
Scots:
uise
— act of using
Serbo-Croatian:
у̏потреба
— act of using
Serbo-Croatian:
при̏мена
— act of using
Serbo-Croatian:
ȕpotreba
— act of using
Serbo-Croatian:
prȉmena
— act of using
Slovak:
použitie
— act of using
Slovene:
uporaba
— act of using
Slovene:
raba
— act of using
Somali:
isticmaal
— act of using
Spanish:
uso
— act of using
Spanish:
usanza
— act of using
Spanish:
utilización
— act of using
Spanish:
empleo
— act of using
Spanish:
usaje (disused)
— act of using
Swahili:
matumizi
— act of using
Swedish:
användning
— act of using
Swedish:
bruk
— act of using
Swedish:
nyttjande
— act of using
Turkish:
kullanma
— act of using
Turkish:
kullanım
— act of using
Turkish:
kullanış
— act of using
Ukrainian:
вжива́ння
(vžyvánnja)
— act of using
Urdu:
اِسْتِعْمال
(istiʿmāl)
— act of using
Vietnamese:
sự dùng
— act of using
Volapük:
geb
— act of using
Yiddish:
ניצן
(nitsn)
— act of using
Zazaki:
kar kerdış
— act of using
Zyphe:
hmang
— act of using
Albanian:
përdorshmëria
— usefulness
Armenian:
օգուտ
(ōgut)
— usefulness
Azerbaijani:
xeyir
— usefulness
Azerbaijani:
fayda
— usefulness
Azerbaijani:
mənfəət
— usefulness
Azerbaijani:
səmərə
— usefulness
Bulgarian:
полза
(polza)
— usefulness
Chinese Cantonese:
用
(jung6)
— usefulness
Dutch:
nut
— usefulness
Finnish:
hyödyllisyys
— usefulness
Finnish:
hyöty
— usefulness
French:
utilité
— usefulness
Galician:
utilidade
— usefulness
German:
Nutzen
— usefulness
Gothic:
𐌱𐍉𐍄𐌰
(bōta)
— usefulness
Greek:
χρησιμότητα
(chrisimótita)
— usefulness
Hindi:
उपयोगिता
(upyogitā)
— usefulness
Hungarian:
értelem
— usefulness
Hungarian:
haszon
— usefulness
Hungarian:
cél
— usefulness
Hungarian:
mire jó...?
— usefulness
Japanese:
効用
(kōyō)
— usefulness
Japanese:
為
(tame)
— usefulness
Central Kurdish:
کەڵک
(kellk)
— usefulness
Malay:
kegunaan
— usefulness
Malayalam:
ഉപയോഗം
(upayōgaṁ)
— usefulness
Malayalam:
ഉപകാരം
(upakāraṁ)
— usefulness
Norwegian:
nytte
— usefulness
Persian:
فایده
(fâyede)
— usefulness
Persian:
کاربرد
(kârbord)
— usefulness
Persian:
استفادن
— usefulness
Polish:
użytek
— usefulness
Polish:
użyteczność
— usefulness
Portuguese:
uso
— usefulness
Portuguese:
utilidade
— usefulness
Romanian:
utilitate
— usefulness
Romanian:
folosință
— usefulness
Romanian:
folos
— usefulness
Russian:
по́льза
(pólʹza)
— usefulness
Russian:
прок
(prok)
— usefulness
Scots:
uiss
— usefulness
Scottish Gaelic:
math
— usefulness
Shor:
туза
(tuza)
— usefulness
Spanish:
utilidad
— usefulness
Swedish:
mening
— usefulness
Swedish:
syfte
— usefulness
Swedish:
nytta
— usefulness
Tajik:
фоида
(foyida)
— usefulness
Turkish:
fayda
— usefulness
Turkish:
yarar
— usefulness
Urdu:
فائدہ
(fā'idah)
— usefulness
Vietnamese:
ích
— usefulness
Albanian:
përdorim
— function
Armenian:
կիրառություն
(kiraṙutʻyun)
— function
Asturian:
usu
— function
Bulgarian:
предназначение
(prednaznačenie)
— function