- 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 conversation8 DRUGS to regularly take illegal drugs9 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/ noun1 (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 metaphor3 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 use5 (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 used14 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 useful17 (C) one of the meanings of a word, or the way that a particular word is used3 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?
Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.