2 use
Pronounced:
/ˈju:s/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural us·esMeaning:
1 [noncount] a : the act of using something ▪ The knife has become dull from constant use. [=from being used very often over a period of time] ▪ Two players were suspended for illegal drug use. —often + of ▪ The law requires the use of seat belts. [=the law requires people to wear seat belts] ▪ We talked about the author's use of irony in the novel. b : the state of being used ▪ All of the computers are currently in use. [=are currently being used] ▪ When did the word first come into use? [=when was the word first used?] ▪ Typewriters have practically gone out of use. [=almost no people use typewriters anymore]
2 a [count] : a way in which something is or can be used ▪ This tool has many uses. [=you can do many things with this tool] ▪ Doctors have found a new use for the drug. ▪ According to the dictionary, the word has two uses. ▪ The technique has its uses [=the technique is useful in some ways], but better methods are available. b [singular] : a way to use something or someone —usually + for ▪ I thought you might be able to find a use for this lamp. [=I thought that you might be able to use this lamp for some purpose] ▪ Thanks for volunteering. I'm sure we'll be able to find a use for someone with your skills and experience. ▪ Do you have a/any use for this old computer?
3 [noncount] : the opportunity or right to use something ▪ She gave me the use of her car [=she allowed me to use her car] while she was away. ▪ The pool is for the use of hotel guests only. [=only hotel guests are allowed to swim in the pool]
4 [noncount] —used to say that something or someone is or is not helpful or useful ▪ It's too small to be of use. ▪ I don't think that dreams are of much use in predicting the future. [=I don't think that dreams help people predict the future] ▪ Go home and rest. You're no use to us if you're sick. [=you cannot help us if you're sick] ▪ He's been of no use at all to me. [=he hasn't helped me at all] ▪ I felt that I could be of some use to her. [=that I could help her in some way] ▪ There's no use (in) worrying about the past. [=worrying about the past will not help, make anything better, etc.] ▪ “You should talk to her.” “What's the use? [=talking to her will not help] She's not going to change her mind.” ▪ What's the use of trying? It won't help.
5 [noncount] : the ability or power to use something —+ of ▪ He lost (the) use of his legs in a car accident.
2 a [count] : a way in which something is or can be used ▪ This tool has many uses. [=you can do many things with this tool] ▪ Doctors have found a new use for the drug. ▪ According to the dictionary, the word has two uses. ▪ The technique has its uses [=the technique is useful in some ways], but better methods are available. b [singular] : a way to use something or someone —usually + for ▪ I thought you might be able to find a use for this lamp. [=I thought that you might be able to use this lamp for some purpose] ▪ Thanks for volunteering. I'm sure we'll be able to find a use for someone with your skills and experience. ▪ Do you have a/any use for this old computer?
3 [noncount] : the opportunity or right to use something ▪ She gave me the use of her car [=she allowed me to use her car] while she was away. ▪ The pool is for the use of hotel guests only. [=only hotel guests are allowed to swim in the pool]
4 [noncount] —used to say that something or someone is or is not helpful or useful ▪ It's too small to be of use. ▪ I don't think that dreams are of much use in predicting the future. [=I don't think that dreams help people predict the future] ▪ Go home and rest. You're no use to us if you're sick. [=you cannot help us if you're sick] ▪ He's been of no use at all to me. [=he hasn't helped me at all] ▪ I felt that I could be of some use to her. [=that I could help her in some way] ▪ There's no use (in) worrying about the past. [=worrying about the past will not help, make anything better, etc.] ▪ “You should talk to her.” “What's the use? [=talking to her will not help] She's not going to change her mind.” ▪ What's the use of trying? It won't help.
5 [noncount] : the ability or power to use something —+ of ▪ He lost (the) use of his legs in a car accident.
have no use for or not have any use for
: to not like or value (someone or something) ▪ I have no use for such rude people. ▪ I'm a logical person. I have no use for sentimentality.
it's no use
—used to say that something you have tried to do cannot be done ▪ It's no use—the door won't open. ▪ We tried our hardest, but it was no use.
make use of
: to use (something) ▪ She made use of the money to pay for college. ▪ He tried to make good/better use of his spare time. [=he tried to use it in a better and more productive way]
put (something) to (good) use
: to use (something) in an effective way ▪ I'm looking forward to putting my new skills to use. [=to using my new skills; to doing what I have just learned to do] ▪ Thanks for the donation. We'll put it to good use. [=we'll do something good with it]