use
noun
1. the act of using
- he warned against the use of narcotic drugs
Similar word(s): employment, exercise, usage, utilisation, utilization
Definition categories: act, activity
2. what something is used for
- ballet is beautiful but what use is it?
Similar word(s): function, purpose, role
Definition categories: attribute, usefulness, utility
3. a particular service
- he put his knowledge to good use
- patrons have their uses
Definition categories: attribute, usefulness, utility
4. (economics) the utilization of economic goods to satisfy needs or in manufacturing
Similar word(s): consumption, usance
Definition categories: process, demand
5. (psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition
- long use had hardened him to it
Similar word(s): habit
Definition categories: act, custom, usage, usance
6. exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage
Similar word(s): manipulation
Definition categories: act, influence
7. (law) the exercise of the legal right to enjoy the benefits of owning property
- we were given the use of his boat
Similar word(s): enjoyment
Definition categories: attribute
Sentences with use as a noun:
- 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.
verb
1. put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
- use your head!
- we only use Spanish at home
- I can't use this tool
Similar word(s): apply, employ, utilise, utilize
Definition categories: consumption
2. take or consume (regularly or habitually)
- She uses drugs rarely
Similar word(s): habituate
Definition categories: consumption, consume, have, ingest, take
3. use up, consume fully
Similar word(s): expend
Definition categories: consumption
4. 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
Definition categories: social, exploit, work
5. avail oneself to
- use care when going down the stairs
- use your common sense
Similar word(s): apply, practice
Definition categories: social
6. 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
Definition categories: social, act, move
Sentences with use as a verb:
- soldiers who are used to hardships and danger
- Use this knife to slice the bread.
- We can use this mathematical formula to solve the problem.
- We should use up most of the fuel.
- You never cared about me; you just used me!
- to use an animal cruelly
- to use diligence in business
- I used to get things done.