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ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Use

/juːs/ · noun

Meaning

The act of using..

Definitions by Sense

  1. The act of using.
  2. (uncountable) The act of consuming alcohol or narcotics.
  3. (uncountable, followed by of) Usefulness, benefit.
  4. A function; a purpose for which something may be employed.
  5. Occasion or need to employ; necessity.
  6. (obsolete, rare) Interest for lent money; premium paid for the use of something; usury.
  7. (archaic) Continued or repeated practice; usage; habit.
  8. (obsolete) Common occurrence; ordinary experience.

Example Sentences

The use of torture has been condemned by the United Nations.
[…]long john underwear, heavy socks, rubber boots, thick flannel shirts, oilskins — it all wore and tore and sprung holes from the hard use of battling storm and bad weather.
In his submission to the UN, Heyns points to the experience of drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles were intended initially only for surveillance, and their use for offensive purposes was prohibited, yet once strategists realised their perceived advantages as a means of carrying out targeted killings, all objections were swept out of the way.
Heavy alcohol use (2.5 drinks per day or more) at any age is unhealthy and should be avoided.
What's the use of a law that nobody follows?
God made two great lights, great for their use / To man.
'Tis use alone that sanctifies expense.
This tool has many uses.

Synonyms for use

Antonyms for use

Related Words

Word Forms

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does use mean?

Use means The act of using..

What is a synonym for use?

Common synonyms include apply, employ, engage, utilise.

What is the opposite of use?

The opposite depends on the specific sense.

How do you use use in a sentence?

The use of torture has been condemned by the United Nations.

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.