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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | us, from Latin usus; USE1 |
Related topics:1 [singular, uncountable] the action or fact of using something : 
an exit for use in emergencies
an exit for use in emergencies2 [countable] a purpose for which something can be used :
3 to use something that is available in order to achieve something or get an advantage for yourself : We will make use of her vast experience. There is an answering machine for you to make use of.
make use of something
We will make use of her vast experience.There is an answering machine for you to make use of.4 to use something such as knowledge or skills for a particular purpose : a job where her management skills can be put to good use
put something to (good) use
a job where her management skills can be put to good use5 the ability or right to use something : Joe's given me the use of his office till he gets back.
the use of something
Joe's given me the use of his office till he gets back.6 to be completely useless : You needed blankets to keep warm because the heating was no use. Take this - it's of no use to me any more.
be (of) no use (to somebody)
You needed blankets to keep warm because the heating was no use.Take this - it's of no use to me any more.7 used to tell someone not to do something because it will have no effect : It's no use complaining.
it's no use doing something
spokenIt's no use complaining.8 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.
it's no use!
spokenOh, it's no use! I can't fix it.9 used to say that something seems to be a waste of time : What's the use of decorating the house if we are going to sell it?
what's the use (of something)
spokenWhat's the use of decorating the house if we are going to sell it?10 a machine, place etc that is in use is being used : Electric vehicles built in 1920 were still in use in the 1950s.
be in use
Electric vehicles built in 1920 were still in use in the 1950s.11 provided for a particular person or group of people to use : a bar for the use of the guests
for the use of somebody
a bar for the use of the guests12 to be useful : He was charged with having information likely to be of use to terrorists.
be of use (to somebody/something)
He was charged with having information likely to be of use to terrorists.13 to start being used, or to start using something : Computers first came into use in the early 1950s.
come into use
also bring something into useComputers first came into use in the early 1950s.14 a machine, place etc that goes out of use or is out of use is not being used : Some 4,000 railway stations have gone out of use since the 1960s.
go/be out of use
Some 4,000 railway stations have gone out of use since the 1960s.15 to have no respect for someone or something : She has no use for people who are always complaining.
have no use for somebody/something
She has no use for people who are always complaining.16 used, often humorously, to say that something or someone can sometimes be useful, even though it may not seem that way : Being stubborn can have its uses.
something/somebody has their uses
spokenBeing stubborn can have its uses.17 [countable]SL one of the meanings of a word, or the way that a particular word is used
