I. MODAL USES AND PHRASES
/ju:st/
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
If something used to be done or used to be the case, it was done regularly in the past or was the case in the past.
People used to come and visit him every day...
He used to be one of the professors at the School of Education...
I feel more compassion and less anger than I used to.
PHRASE
2.
If something used not to be done or used not to be the case, it was not done in the past or was not the case in the past. The forms did not use to and did not used to are also found, especially in spoken English.
Borrowing used not to be recommended...
At some point kids start doing things they didn’t use to do. They get more independent...
He didn’t used to like anyone walking on the lawns in the back garden.
PHRASE : with neg
3.
If you are used to something, you are familiar with it because you have done it or experienced it many times before.
I’m used to having my sleep interrupted...
It doesn’t frighten them. They’re used to it.
PHRASE : V inflects , PHR n / -ing
4.
If you get used to something or someone, you become familiar with it or get to know them, so that you no longer feel that the thing or person is unusual or surprising.
This is how we do things here. You’ll soon get used to it...
He took some getting used to...
PHRASE : V inflects
II. ADJECTIVE USES
/ju:zd/
1.
A used object is dirty or spoiled because it has been used, and usually needs to be thrown away or washed.
...a used cotton ball stained with makeup...
He took a used envelope bearing an Irish postmark.
≠ unused
ADJ : usu ADJ n
2.
A used car has already had one or more owners.
Would you buy a used car from this man?...
His only big purchase has been a used Ford.
= second-hand
ADJ : usu ADJ n