used

used
I MODAL USES AND PHRASES
♦♦
(Pronounced [[t]ju͟ːst[/t]] in used 1, and [[t]ju͟ːzd[/t]] in used 2.)
1) PHR-MODAL If something used to be done or used to be the case, it was done regularly in the past or was the case in the past.

People used to come and visit him every day...

He used to be one of the professors at the School of Education...

I feel more compassion and less anger than I used to.

2) PHR-MODAL: with neg If something used not to be done or used not to be the case, it was not done in the past or was not the case in the past. The forms did not use to and did not used to are also found, especially in spoken English.

Borrowing used not to be recommended...

At some point kids start doing things they didn't use to do. They get more independent...

He didn't used to like anyone walking on the lawns in the back garden.

3) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n/-ing If you are used to something, you are familiar with it because you have done it or experienced it many times before.

I'm used to having my sleep interrupted...

It doesn't frighten them. They're used to it.

4) PHRASE: V inflects If you get used to something or someone, you become familiar with it or get to know them, so that you no longer feel that the thing or person is unusual or surprising.

This is how we do things here. You'll soon get used to it...

He took some getting used to...

You quickly get used to using the brakes.

II ADJECTIVE USES
(Pronounced [[t]ju͟ːst[/t]] in used 1, and [[t]ju͟ːzd[/t]] in used 2.)
1) ADJ: usu ADJ n A used object is dirty or spoiled because it has been used, and usually needs to be thrown away or washed.

...a used cotton ball stained with makeup...

He took a used envelope bearing an Irish postmark.

Ant:
2) ADJ: usu ADJ n A used car has already had one or more owners.

Would you buy a used car from this man?...

His only big purchase has been a used Ford.

Syn:

English dictionary. 2008.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • used to — W2S1 [ˈju:st tu:] modal v 1.) if something used to happen, it happened regularly or all the time in the past, but does not happen now ▪ He used to go to our school. ▪ We re eating out more often than we used to. did not use to do sth ▪ You didn t …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • used to — used to1 [ just tu ] modal verb *** Used to is usually followed by an infinitive: We used to swim in the river. But sometimes the following infinitive is left out: I don t play golf now, but I used to. Used to only exists as a past tense.… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Used — may refer to:*Used good, goods of any type that have been used before *Used (Huesca), a village in Huesca, Aragon, Spain *Used, Zaragoza, a town in Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain *Used (song), a song by Rocket from the Crypt from their 1995 album Scream …   Wikipedia

  • used — [juːzd] adjective used car/​clothes etc cars, clothes etc that have had one or more previous owners; = pre owned AmE; SECOND HAND * * * used UK US /juːzd/ adjective ► COMMERCE used goods, cars, etc. have belonged to someone else and are not new… …   Financial and business terms

  • used — [ juzd ] adjective *** 1. ) owned by someone else before you: SECOND HAND: a used car salesman 2. ) no longer completely clean because of having been used: a used towel …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • used — (adj.) second hand, 1590s, pp. adjective from USE (Cf. use) (v.). To be used to “accustomed, familiar” is recorded by 1520s. Verbal phrase used to formerly did or was (as in I used to love her) represents a construction attested from c.1300,… …   Etymology dictionary

  • used to — (something/doing something) familiar with something. He s used to beginning without me because I m almost always late. His clothes and manners show he s used to being a celebrity. It s not easy getting used to cold weather if you ve been brought… …   New idioms dictionary

  • used-up — used upˈ adjective Exhausted • • • Main Entry: ↑use * * * used up «YOOZD UHP», adjective. 1. Informal. thoroughly exhausted by physical exertion; tired out. 2. worn out or made useless, as by hard work, age, or dissipation: »[He] is by now a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • used\ to\ be — • used to be • did use to be v. phr. Formerly or once was. Mary used to be small; but she has grown up. Dick used to be the best pitcher on the team last year; now two other pitchers are better than he is …   Словарь американских идиом

  • used to — (do something) to have done something in the past. A young lady who used to work in my office had seven brothers! We used to visit our parents at Christmas every year …   New idioms dictionary

  • used — ► ADJECTIVE 1) having already been used. 2) second hand …   English terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”