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

use

∞ 1.0
The purpose or job that something has
  • noun
  • /juːs/
: uso
  • Is this the best use of this money?
  • make use of
  • technology use
  • computer use

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Examples

  • That is probably the best use of your energy.

    Evan Carmichael

  • So what's the best use of our work here?

  • I need to find a better use of my time.

    Austin Evans

  • Maybe we can find something of use in there.

    Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies (2012)

  • Excellent use of firm resources.

    Joey & Rex Save the Church (2022)

  • What would be the use of it, otherwise?

    Sleuth (1972)

  • And now... I realize, what's the use of having it?

    HIM (2025)

  • The priority is making the best use of sourcing leads.

  • Hine wrote the articles himself, discussing the use of photography as a teaching aid.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Finding a good use for my skills will help me contribute more effectively.

Synonyms

purpose
vsuse
∞ 1.6

The reason something is done or made

is not limited to reason also covering the act and practical benefit
function
vsuse
347 2.9

The job or purpose of something

is about role and aim while the broader idea also covers act and benefit
consumption
vsuse
280 3.9

To use, eat, or drink something

is more general covering purpose and benefit beyond mere depletion
application
vsuse
184 3.1

Using something for a certain purpose, for example a skill or tool

is wider including general function benefit and the act itself
usage
vsuse
126 1.8

The usual way people use something in everyday life

is focused on purpose and the act rather than only manner
utility
vsuse
67 3.5

The quality of being useful for a particular purpose

is about being practical rather than the act or the aim
usefulness
vsuse
40 1.6

How much something helps people in practical situations

is broader adding the idea of intended aim and the action itself
avail
vsuse
31 7.7

Help or benefit that something gives

is broader covering purpose act and function not only advantage
utilization
vsuse
  • US
23 4.3

Using something for a purpose

is broader covering purpose and benefit as well as the act
employment
vsuse
  • Formal
4 2.1

Using something for a certain purpose

is the broad idea of purpose and advantage beyond the act
availment
vsuse
  • Indian
8.1

The use of something like a loan or scholarship to get money

is more general covering purpose and function rather than only gaining benefit
usance
vsuse
  • Specialized
9.9

Companies turn materials or resources into goods when making things

is the wider term for purpose function benefit or general act

Antonyms

abandonment
18 3.6

Leaving someone or something and not coming back

Idioms

no use
188 2.5

An action that will not help

in use
74 1.0

Taken by someone so it is not free or available

what's the use
  • Informal
19 7.6

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

to use your words
  • Informal
15 5.3

Tell someone what you feel or need instead of using actions

to use one's head
  • Informal
1 3.7

To think carefully and act sensibly

to use a carrot
  • Informal
1 4.2

Offer a reward to encourage someone to do something

neither use nor ornament
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A thing that is not useful and not attractive

use nor ornament
  • Archaic
9.9

Something that is not useful and not pleasant to look at

to use one's noggin
  • Slang
8.0

To think carefully before you act or decide

Compounds

drug use
  • NSFW
95 3.1

To take illegal or harmful drugs

fair use
  • Specialized
17 3.9

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

dual-use
5 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

context of use
1 4.6

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

derogatory use
  • Offensive
1 7.8

Saying a word or phrase to insult other people

How Useful

essential
49 2.4
use
∞ 1.0
limited
103 1.9
no use
188 2.5

Surface Forms

use singular
uses plural

Etymology

Use as a noun means the 'purpose' or 'benefit' of something and comes from the same root uti meaning 'to use'. So when you ask about the use of an object you are asking what it does or how it helps.