use

1 /ju:z/ verb (T)

1 USE STH if you use a particular tool, method, service, ability etc, you do something with that tool, by means of that method etc, for a particular purpose: Can I use your phone? | More people are using the library than ever before. | I can't tell you what to do - you must use your own discretion. | use sth for doing sth: We use this room for keeping all our junk in. | use sth as: My mother uses old socks as dusters. | use force (=use violent methods)

2 AMOUNT OF STH to take something from a supply of food, gas, money etc with the result that there is less left: We use about £40 worth of electricity a month.

3 USE A PERSON to make someone do something for you in order to get something you want: use sb to do sth: Smugglers use innocent people to carry drugs through customs. | use sb for your own ends: Gerald had been using her for his own ends.

4 AN ADVANTAGE to take advantage of a situation: use sth for: Gordon used his family's wealth for his own publicity. | use sth to do sth: She used her position as manager to get jobs for her friends.

5 could use spoken if you say you could use something, you mean you would really like to have it: I could use a drink.

6 PRODUCT to buy a particular product regularly: I always use the same deodorant.

7 WORD to say or write a particular word or phrase: an expression that would never be used in polite conversation

8 DRUGS to regularly take illegal drugs

9 NAME to call yourself by a name that is not yours in order to keep your name secret: Grant had checked into a Miami hotel using a false name.

use sth up phrasal verb (T) to use all of something: Don't use up all the hot water. 2 /ju:s/ noun

1 (C) a way in which something can be used, or a purpose for which it can be used: Robots have many different uses in modern industry.

2 (singular, uncountable) the act of using something or the amount that is used

(+ of): the increasing use of computers in education | the poet's use of metaphor

3 make use of to use something that is available in order to achieve something or get an advantage for yourself: Not enough people are making use of the children's play scheme. | The artist makes use of scrap iron in her sculpture. | make good use of (=get as much advantage as possible from something): We must make the best possible use of the resources we have.

4 put sth to (good) use to use knowledge, skills etc for a particular purpose: an opportunity to put her medical training to good use

5 (U) the ability or right to use something: Joe's given me the use of his office till he gets back. | He lost the use of both legs as a result of the accident.

6 be no use also be of no use formal to be completely useless: This map's no use - it doesn't show the minor roads. | be (of) no use to sb: Have this sweater - it's of no use to me any more.

7 it's no use doing sth spoken used to tell someone not to do something because it will have no effect: It's no use arguing with her - she won't listen.

8 it's no use! spoken used to say that you are going to stop doing something because you do not think it will be successful: Oh, it's no use! I can't fix it.

9 what's the use (of)? spoken used to say that something seems to be a waste of time: What's the use of getting so angry?

10 be in use a machine, place etc that is in use is being used: All the machines are in use at the moment.

11 for the use of provided for a particular person or group of people to use: This parking lot is for the use of employees only.

12 come into use/go out of use to start or stop being used: New printing techniques have recently come into use.

13 out of use a machine, place etc that is out of use is not being used

14 be of use formal to be useful: I wondered if this book might be of use to you.

15 have no use for to have no respect for someone or something: She has no use for people who are always complaining.

16 he/she/it has its uses spoken often humorous used to say that something or someone can sometimes be useful

17 (C) one of the meanings of a word, or the way that a particular word is used

3 verb negative form of usedn't, usen't old-fashioned BrE used to do sth if something used to happen, it happened regularly or all the time in the past, but does not happen now: I used to go to the cinema a lot, but I never get the time now. | Beth used to like rock 'n' roll when she was young. | used to: “Do you play golf?” “No, but I used to.” | did not use to also used not to BrE old-fashioned: I'm surprised to see you smoking. You didn't use to. | The shops usedn't to open on Sundays. | used to be (=something was true in the past but is not true now): She used to be such a happy lively girl. | did there use to be?: also used there to be? formal: Did there use to be a hotel on that corner?