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🛠️ To employ 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 To exploit 🎯 A purpose 📜 Legal right
to use

to use

∞ 1.0
To put something to work for a purpose
  • verb
  • /juːz/
translation icon : usar
  • Teachers are encouraged to think of creative ways to use computer software beyond its primary function.
  • commonly used
  • use technology
  • use data

Google plus now lets you use any name you want.

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Examples

  • It means that you can use B to solve A.

  • We could really use the extra money.

    Babes (2024)

  • And that means you have to use other ways.

  • In what world would you use any of these?

  • Is that really how you want to use your own mind?

    Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

  • I could use the exercise, apparently.

    Unfavorable Odds (2022)

  • Google plus now lets you use any name you want.

    Linus Tech Tips

  • Well, of course we can use AI, right?

  • The results indicate that many of the respondents used an empowerment-oriented approach to management.

    Academic text (2011)

  • To solve the puzzle, you must use all the clues provided.

Synonyms

to take
vsto use
∞ 1.0

Use or receive something regularly

is the broader action not focused on acquiring or finishing items for oneself
to spend
vsto use
∞ 1.0

To give money to buy something or pay for services

is the broader action not limited to paying or dedicating time
to apply
vsto use
374 2.8

Use something for a particular purpose, for example a rule or method

is the broader action not limited to rules or methods
to utilize
vsto use
  • Formal
224 4.9

To use something for a particular purpose

is the general action without stressing practical effectiveness
to employ
vsto use
203 2.2

To use something for a particular purpose

is the broader action without implying planning or purpose specificity
to consume
vsto use
172 3.2

To use up resources until none are left

is the broader action not necessarily causing complete depletion
to wield
vsto use
124 4.4

To have and use something like a tool or power effectively

is the general action not requiring holding or physical control
to exploit
vsto use
95 4.1

To use resources or chances well to get a good result

is the general action without implying benefit seeking or advantage
to expend
vsto use
50 5.0

To use money, time, or energy for a purpose

is the broader action without implying formal allocation or payment
to eat up
vsto use
  • Informal
23 3.1

Use up money or time quickly

is the broader action not necessarily rapid or total in effect

Antonyms

to disuse
2 4.2

To stop using something

Idioms

no use
133 2.5

An action that will not help

in use
49 1.0

Taken by someone so it is not free or available

to use your words
  • Informal
9 5.3

Tell someone what you feel or need instead of using actions

what's the use
  • Informal
1 7.6

You say something is not worth doing because it will not help

to use one's noggin
  • Slang
1 8.0

To think carefully before you act or decide

neither use nor ornament
  • Archaic
9.9

A thing that is not useful and not attractive

to use a carrot
  • Informal
4.2

Offer a reward to encourage someone to do something

use nor ornament
  • Archaic
9.9

Something that is not useful and not pleasant to look at

to use one's head
  • Informal
3.7

To think carefully and act sensibly

Phrasal Verbs

to use the bathroom
  • US
77 1.1

To go to the toilet to pee or poo

to use up
69 2.7

To finish all of something so nothing is left

to use the potty
  • Baby Talk
2 3.0

To pee or poo in a small toilet for children while learning toilet habits

to use the washroom
  • Canadian
1 1.9

To go to a room with a toilet to pee or poo

to use a dictionary
1 1.0

Look in a book or on a website to find a word's meaning and spelling

to use the loo
  • UK
1 8.0

To go to the toilet to pee or poo

to critique the use of
7.7

To look carefully at how words or ideas are used and judge them

to use one's words
  • Informal
4.1

To say how you feel or what you need instead of using actions

Compounds

drug use
  • NSFW
88 3.1

To take illegal or harmful drugs

fair use
  • Specialized
12 3.9

The right to use small parts of someone else's work without permission for teaching, news, or criticism

dual-use
4 7.1

A thing made to be used for two different purposes, like civilian and military

use immunity
  • Formal
1 8.9

A legal protection that stops a witness's forced testimony or evidence from being used to find them guilty

derogatory use
  • Offensive
1 7.8

Saying a word or phrase to insult other people

context of use
4.6

The words and situation around a word that help show its meaning

How Often

constantly
740 1.0
to use
∞ 1.0
often
∞ 1.0
occasionally
438 2.0
nonuse
4.4

Surface Forms

use infinitive
used past
used past participle
using present participle
uses third person singular

Etymology

Use comes from the Latin root uti, which means 'to use'. Think of familiar words like useful and utility that share the same root, so to use something is to put it to work to get a result.