use

use1 [ juz ] verb ***

▸ 1 do something with tool etc.

▸ 2 get benefit from something

▸ 3 take amount from supply

▸ 4 treat someone in unfair way

▸ 5 take illegal drugs

▸ 6 say particular words

▸ 7 call yourself something

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) transitive to do something using a machine, tool, skill, method, etc. in order to do a job or achieve a result:

Using a computer is so much quicker.

What type of soap do you use?

Using all his charm, he managed to persuade them.

use something for something: Psychological tests are used for selection purposes.

use something for doing something: Methane gas is used for heating and generating power.

use something as something: I had to use a ski as a tent pole.

use something as an excuse/reason: They used the recession as an excuse to get rid of workers.

2. ) transitive to get a benefit for yourself from something that is available to you:

Only about 30 people regularly used the club.

3. ) transitive to take an amount from a supply of something in order to do a job or achieve a result:

You've used all the hot water again.

Most of that paint was used on the kitchen.

4. ) transitive to treat someone in an unfair way, for example by pretending to care about them so that they do what you want:

You know he's just using you.

use someone for your own ends (=to get what you want): Liz has always used people for her own ends.

5. ) intransitive or transitive to take illegal drugs regularly:

In jail, he continued to deal and use drugs.

6. ) transitive to say or write particular words:

Don't use language like that in front of your little brother.

use something to do something: McClaren used the same words to describe his feelings.

7. ) transitive if you use a particular name, you call yourself by a different name from your usual one

could use something SPOKEN

used for saying that someone or something needs a particular thing very much:

You both look as if you could use a drink.

use your head

to think carefully in order to understand something or avoid making a mistake

,use `up phrasal verb transitive

to use all of a supply of something:

I've used up all my vacation days, and it's only August.

use

use 2 [ jus ] noun ***

▸ 1 act of using something

▸ 2 way of using something

▸ 3 right etc to use something

▸ 4 ability to use mind/body

▸ 5 meaning etc. of word

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) singular or uncount the act of using something:

use of: the use of resources/technology/computers

Farmers are reducing the use of pesticides on food crops.

Their unnecessary use of force has endangered peace efforts.

2. ) count or uncount a way of using something:

These rollers have a variety of manufacturing uses.

use of: This is not the best use of your talents.

use for: I kept hoping to find a use for it.

3. ) uncount the right, an opportunity, or permission to use something:

have the use of something: We can have the use of the hall every Thursday.

for the use of someone (=only for them to use): The pool was built for the exclusive use of residents.

4. ) uncount the ability to use a part of your body or mind:

lose the use of something: He lost the use of his legs in a car accident.

5. ) count a meaning of a word or a way of speaking or writing a word:

This use is now fairly common among young people.

be of use

to be helpful or useful:

Can I be of any use?

be of use to: This information may be of use to him.

be (of) no use

to be unhelpful or useless:

This book is no use whatever.

be (of) no use to: Get some rest or you'll be of no use to anyone.

come into use

to start being used by people:

Computers first came into use in the early 1950s.

go out of use MAINLY BRITISH

to stop being used

have its/your uses OFTEN HUMOROUS

to be useful in some situations or in some ways:

I know you don't like him, but he has his uses.

have no use for

1. ) used for saying that you do not want or need someone or something because they could never be helpful to you:

The new owners may decide they have no use for the present management.

2. ) INFORMAL to dislike someone or something:

I have no use for a liar.

in/out of use

being used regularly/not being used any longer:

I'll be glad to see the building in use again.

it's no use SPOKEN

used for saying that something is not likely to have a successful result:

It's no use. We'll never get there on time.

it's no use doing something: It's no use asking me what I don't know.

make use of

to use someone or something for a particular purpose, especially one that brings a benefit to you:

Why doesn't she make use of her singing talent?

make good use of someone/something: Michael makes good use of his opportunities.

put something to good use

to use something that you have for a sensible purpose that brings a benefit to you:

Do you promise to put the money to good use?

there's no use (in) doing something SPOKEN

used for saying that something you do is not likely to have a successful result:

She realized there was no use arguing with him.

what's the use? SPOKEN

used for saying that something is not likely to have a successful result, so there is no point in doing it:

What's the use? We're sure to lose anyway.

what's the use of doing something?: What's the use of complaining?