use

Meanings

• the act of using
  • "he warned against the use of narcotic drugs"
• what something is used for
  • "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?"
• a particular service
  • "he put his knowledge to good use"
  • "patrons have their uses"
• (economics) the utilization of economic goods to satisfy needs or in manufacturing
• (psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition
  • "long use had hardened him to it"
• exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage
• (law) the exercise of the legal right to enjoy the benefits of owning property
  • "we were given the use of his boat"
• put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
  • "use your head!"
  • "we only use Spanish at home"
  • "I can't use this tool"
  • "use the plastic bags to store the food"
  • "He doesn't know how to use a computer"
• take or consume (regularly or habitually)
  • "She uses drugs rarely"
• use up, consume fully
• seek or achieve an end by using to one's advantage
  • "She uses her influential friends to get jobs"
  • "The president's wife used her good connections"
• avail oneself to
  • "use care when going down the stairs"
  • "use your common sense"
• habitually do something (use only in the past tense)
  • "She used to call her mother every week but now she calls only occasionally"
  • "I used to get sick when I ate in that dining hall"
  • "They used to vacation in the Bahamas"

Synonyms

apply, consumption, economic consumption, employ, employment, enjoyment, exercise, expend, function, habit, habituate, manipulation, practice, purpose, role, usage, usance, use of goods and services, utilisation, utilise, utilization, utilize