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<div id="LDOCE6_use_1"><div class="chwd"><a href="#LDOCE6_use_1"><span class="kw">use<sup>1</sup></span> <i>verb</i></a><a href="#LDOCE6_use_2"><span class="kw">use<sup>2</sup></span> <i>noun</i></a></div><span class="entry" id="use_1"><span class="entryhead"><span class="hwd">use</span><span class="hyphenation frequent">use</span><span class="homnum frequent">1</span><proncodes><span class="neutral"> /</span><span class="pron">juːz</span><span class="neutral">/</span></proncodes><span class="level tooltip" title="Core vocabulary: High-frequency"> ●●●</span> <span class="freq" title="Top 1000 spoken words" h:class="tooltip">S1</span> <span class="freq" title="Top 1000 written words" h:class="tooltip">W1</span><span class="pos"> verb</span> <a href="sound://hwd/bre/c/use_v0205.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_r.png"></a> <a href="sound://hwd/ame/1/l3use.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_b.png"></a><span class="buttons"><a class="popup-button" href="entry://@entrymenu_use_1">Entry menu</a> <a class="popup-button" href="entry://@etymologies_use_1">Word Origin</a> <a class="popup-button" href="entry://@verbs_use_1">Verb Table</a> <a class="popup-button" href="entry://@examples_use_1">Examples</a> <a class="popup-button" href="entry://@thesaurus_m_use_1">Thesaurus</a> <a class="popup-button" href="entry://@collocations_use_1">Collocations</a> <a class="popup-button" href="entry://@phrases_use_1">Phrases</a> <a class="popup-button" href="entry://@wordfamilies_0625">Word family</a> </span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_1_s1"><span class="sensenum">1</span><span class="signpost">use something</span><span class="gram"> [transitive]</span><span class="def"> 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</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/5/p008-000527231.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Can I use your phone?</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/b/p008-000527232.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> I’ll show you which room you can use.</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/5/p008-001620179.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> I always use the same shampoo.</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/e/p008-001620180.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Use your imagination when planning meals.</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/9/p008-001620181.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> She booked the flight using a false name.</span><span class="colloexa"><span class="collo">easy/difficult/simple etc to use</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/a/p008-001620175.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Drop-down menus make the program very easy to use.</span></span><span class="gramexa"><span class="propform">use something for (doing) something</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/3/p008-000527236.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> They were using animals for scientific experiments.</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/a/p008-001620184.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Bob uses the van for picking up groceries.</span></span><span class="gramexa"><span class="propform">use something as something</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/6/p008-000527239.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> My parents use the house as a holiday home.</span></span><span class="gramexa"><span class="propform">use something to do something</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/d/p008-001620189.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Most people now use their cars to go shopping.</span></span><span class="colloexa"><span class="collo">use force</span><span class="gloss"><span class="neutral"> (=</span>use violent methods<span class="neutral">)</span></span></span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_1_s2"><span class="sensenum">2</span><span class="signpost">amount of something</span><span class="gram"> [transitive]</span><span class="def"> to take an amount of something from a supply of food, gas, money etc</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/e/p008-000527247.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> We use about £40 worth of electricity a month.</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/0/p008-001620191.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Standard washing machines use about 40 gallons of water.</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_1_s3"><span class="sensenum">3</span><span class="signpost">treat somebody unfairly</span><span class="gram"> [transitive]</span><span class="def"> to make someone do something for you in order to get something you want</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/3/p008-001620193.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Can’t you see that Howard is just using you?</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/b/p008-001620194.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Gerald had been <span class="colloinexa">using</span> her <span class="colloinexa">for</span> his <span class="colloinexa">own ends</span>.</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_1_s4"><span class="sensenum">4</span><span class="signpost">an advantage</span><span class="gram"> [transitive]</span><span class="def"> to take advantage of a situation</span><span class="gramexa"><span class="propform">use something to do something</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/9/p008-000527267.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> She used her position as manager to get jobs for her friends.</span></span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_1_s5"><span class="sensenum">5</span><span class="lexunit" id="use_1_s6">could use something</span><span class="registerlab"> spoken</span><span class="def"> if you say you could use something, you mean you would really like to have it</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/e/p008-000527273.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> I could use a drink.</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_1_s7"><span class="sensenum">6</span><span class="signpost">word</span><span class="gram"> [transitive]</span><span class="def"> to say or write a particular word or phrase</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/4/p008-000527283.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> We use the word ‘hardware’ to describe the actual machine.</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/8/p008-001620209.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Don’t <span class="colloinexa">use</span> bad <span class="colloinexa">language</span>.</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_1_s8"><span class="sensenum">7</span><span class="signpost">drugs</span><span class="gram"> [intransitive, transitive]</span><span class="def"> to regularly take illegal drugs</span><span class="crossref"><span class="neutral"> →</span><a goto="used_to"> <span class="refhwd">used to</span></a></span></span><span class="tail"><span class="thesbox" id="use_1_s9"><span class="heading">THESAURUS</span><span class="section"><span class="exponent"><span class="exp display">use</span><span class="def"> to use something for a particular purpose</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>Do you mind if I use your phone?</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>They rebuilt the church using local stone.</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>We use a range of different methods.</span></span><span class="exponent"><span class="exp display">make use of something</span><span class="def"> to use something that is available to you</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>Staff can make use of a wide range of facilities.</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>She made full use of her contacts within the organization.</span></span><span class="exponent"><span class="exp display">employ</span><span class="registerlab"> formal</span><span class="def"> to use a particular method or skill in order to achieve something</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>The surgeons employed a new technique.</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>They employed every means at their disposal<span class="gloss"><span class="neutral"> (=</span>every available method<span class="neutral">)</span></span>.</span></span><span class="exponent"><span class="exp display">utilize</span><span class="registerlab"> formal</span><span class="def"> to use something that is available to you, for a practical purpose</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>The company has developed a new way to utilize solar energy.</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>a better way of utilizing the space</span></span><span class="exponent"><span class="exp display">exploit</span><span class="def"> to use something as fully and effectively as possible, or to use something that will give you an advantage over your opponent</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>The country’s natural resources have not yet been fully exploited.</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>He was quick to exploit any weakness in his opponent’s argument.</span></span><span class="exponent"><span class="exp display">apply</span><span class="def"> to use something such as a method, idea, or system in a particular situation</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process.</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>I wanted to apply the things that I had learned on the course.</span></span><span class="exponent"><span class="exp display">draw on something</span><span class="def"> to use information, knowledge, or experience that you have learned in the past</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>He was able to draw on his own experience as a diplomat when he was writing the book.</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>Journalists draw on information from many different sources.</span></span><span class="exponent"><span class="exp display">resort to something</span><span class="def"> to use violence, force, threats etc as a way of achieving something</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>Extremists on both sides resort to violence.</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>We are prepared to resort to force if necessary.</span></span></span><span class="section last"><span class="secheading">to use your power or your rights</span><span class="exponent"><span class="exp display">exercise</span><span class="registerlab"> formal</span><span class="def"> to use your rights, authority, influence etc</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>Only 40% of the population exercised their right to vote.</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>Congress must decide whether to exercise its veto.</span></span><span class="exponent"><span class="exp display">wield</span><proncodes><span class="neutral"> /</span><span class="pron">wiːld</span><span class="neutral">/</span></proncodes><span class="registerlab"> formal</span><span class="def"> to use great power or influence</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>The central banks wield enormous power.</span></span></span></span></span><span class="phrvbentry" id="use_1_s10"><span class="entryhead"><span class="phrvbhwd">use<object> something ↔</object> up</span><span class="pos"> phrasal verb</span></span><span class="sense" id="use_1_s11"> <span class="def">to use all of something</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/9/p008-000527304.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> She’s used up all the hot water.</span></span></span></span></div><div id="LDOCE6_use_2"><div class="chwd"><a href="#LDOCE6_use_1"><span class="kw">use<sup>1</sup></span> <i>verb</i></a><a href="#LDOCE6_use_2"><span class="kw">use<sup>2</sup></span> <i>noun</i></a></div><span class="entry" id="use_2"><span class="entryhead"><span class="hwd">use</span><span class="hyphenation frequent">use</span><span class="homnum frequent">2</span><proncodes><span class="neutral"> /</span><span class="pron">juːs</span><span class="neutral">/</span></proncodes><span class="level tooltip" title="Core vocabulary: High-frequency"> ●●●</span> <span class="freq" title="Top 1000 spoken words" h:class="tooltip">S1</span> <span class="freq" title="Top 1000 written words" h:class="tooltip">W1</span><span class="pos"> noun</span> <a href="sound://hwd/bre/f/use_n0205.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_r.png"></a> <a href="sound://hwd/ame/2/l3use2.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_b.png"></a><span class="buttons"><a class="popup-button" href="entry://@etymologies_use_2">Word Origin</a> <a class="popup-button" href="entry://@examples_use_2">Examples</a> <a class="popup-button" href="entry://@thesaurus_m_use_2">Thesaurus</a> <a class="popup-button" href="entry://@collocations_use_2">Collocations</a> <a class="popup-button" href="entry://@phrases_use_2">Phrases</a> <a class="popup-button" href="entry://@wordfamilies_0625">Word family</a> </span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s1"><span class="sensenum">1</span><span class="gram">[singular, uncountable]</span><span class="def"> the action or fact of using something</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/9/p008-001620211.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> an exit for use in emergencies</span><span class="gramexa"><span class="propformprep">use of</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/1/p008-001620212.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> the increasing use of computers in education</span></span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s2"><span class="sensenum">2</span><span class="gram">[countable]</span><span class="def"> a purpose for which something can be used</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/9/p008-000530929.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Robots <span class="colloinexa">have</span> many different <span class="colloinexa">uses</span> in modern industry.</span><span class="colloexa"><span class="collo">have/find a use for something</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/c/p008-001620215.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> The cupboard is full of things I can never find a use for.</span></span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s3"><span class="sensenum">3</span><span class="lexunit" id="use_2_s4">make use of something</span><span class="def"> to use something that is available in order to achieve something or get an advantage for yourself</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/e/p008-000530942.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> We will make use of her vast experience.</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/e/p008-000530943.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> There is an answering machine for you to make use of.</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/f/p008-001620216.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Try to <span class="colloinexa">make good use of</span> your time.</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s5"><span class="sensenum">4</span><span class="lexunit" id="use_2_s6">put something to (good) use</span><span class="def"> to use something such as knowledge or skills for a particular purpose</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/6/p008-000530952.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> a job where her management skills can be put to good use</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s7"><span class="sensenum">5</span><span class="lexunit" id="use_2_s8">the use of something</span><span class="def"> the ability or right to use something</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/d/p008-000530957.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Joe’s given me the use of his office till he gets back.</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/7/p008-000530958.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> He <span class="colloinexa">lost the use of</span> both <span class="colloinexa">legs</span> as a result of the accident.</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s9"><span class="sensenum">6</span><span class="lexunit" id="use_2_s10">be (of) no use (to somebody)</span><span class="def"> to be completely useless</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/8/p008-000530967.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> You needed blankets to keep warm because the heating was no use.</span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/6/ldoce6exa_00946.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Take this – it’s of no use to me anymore.</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s11"><span class="sensenum">7</span><span class="lexunit" id="use_2_s12">it’s no use doing something</span><span class="registerlab"> spoken</span><span class="def"> used to tell someone not to do something because it will have no effect</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/8/p008-000530976.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> It’s no use complaining.</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s13"><span class="sensenum">8</span><span class="lexunit" id="use_2_s14">it’s no use!</span><span class="registerlab"> spoken</span><span class="def"> used to say that you are going to stop doing something because you do not think it will be successful</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/9/p008-000530982.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Oh, it’s no use! I can’t fix it.</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s15"><span class="sensenum">9</span><span class="lexunit" id="use_2_s16">what’s the use (of something)</span><span class="registerlab"> spoken</span><span class="def"> used to say that something seems to be a waste of time</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/1/p008-000530988.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> What’s the use of decorating the house if we are going to sell it?</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s17"><span class="sensenum">10</span><span class="lexunit" id="use_2_s18">be in use</span><span class="def"> a machine, place etc that is in use is being used</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/2/p008-000530993.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Electric vehicles built in 1920 were still in use in the 1950s.</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s19"><span class="sensenum">11</span><span class="lexunit" id="use_2_s20">for the use of somebody</span><span class="def"> provided for a particular person or group of people to use</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/6/p008-000530998.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> a bar for the use of the guests</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s21"><span class="sensenum">12</span><span class="lexunit" id="use_2_s22">be of use (to somebody/something)</span><span class="def"> to be useful</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/f/p008-000531014.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> He was charged with having information likely to be of use to terrorists.</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s23"><span class="sensenum">13</span><span class="lexunit" id="use_2_s24">come into use</span><span class="variant"><span class="neutral"> (</span><span class="linkword">also</span><span class="lexvar"> bring something into use</span><span class="neutral">)</span></span><span class="def"> to start being used, or to start using something</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/7/p008-000531004.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Computers first came into use in the early 1950s.</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s25"><span class="sensenum">14</span><span class="lexunit" id="use_2_s26">go/be out of use</span><span class="def"> a machine, place etc that goes out of use or is out of use is not being used</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/9/p008-001620226.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Some 4,000 railway stations have gone out of use since the 1960s.</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s27"><span class="sensenum">15</span><span class="lexunit" id="use_2_s28">have no use for somebody/something</span><span class="def"> to have no respect for someone or something</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/0/p008-000531019.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> She has no use for people who are always complaining.</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s29"><span class="sensenum">16</span><span class="lexunit" id="use_2_s30">something/somebody has their uses</span><span class="registerlab"> spoken</span><span class="def"> used, often humorously, to say that something or someone can sometimes be useful, even though it may not seem that way</span><span class="neutral">: </span><span class="example"><a href="sound://exa/bre/2/p008-001620227.mp3"><img src="img/spkr_g.png"></a> Being stubborn can have its uses.</span></span><span class="sense newline" id="use_2_s31"><span class="sensenum">17</span><span class="gram">[countable]</span><span class="def"> one of the meanings of a word, or the way that a particular word is used</span></span><span class="tail"><span class="collobox"><span class="heading">COLLOCATIONS</span><span class="section last"><span class="secheading">adjectives</span><span class="collocate"><span class="colloc collo">widespread/extensive use</span><span class="collgloss"><span class="neutral"> (=</span>when something is used in many places or situations, or among many people<span class="neutral">)</span></span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>The widespread use of computers changed business completely.</span></span><span class="collocate"><span class="colloc collo">efficient use</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>Doing the work in stages makes the most efficient use of resources.</span></span><span class="collocate"><span class="colloc collo">effective use</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>We need to consider whether there could be a more effective use of our time.</span></span><span class="collocate"><span class="colloc collo">heavy/frequent use</span><span class="collgloss"><span class="neutral"> (=</span>when something is used a lot<span class="neutral">)</span></span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>The heavy use of pesticides in the area led to severe health problems.</span></span><span class="collocate"><span class="colloc collo">regular use</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>These drugs are not recommended for regular use.</span></span><span class="collocate"><span class="colloc collo">greater use</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>We want to encourage employees to make greater use of the sports facilities.</span></span><span class="collocate"><span class="colloc collo">land use</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>Our department is responsible for establishing the guidelines for land use in the county.</span></span><span class="collocate"><span class="colloc collo">drug/alcohol use</span><span class="example"><span class="neutral">· </span>Drug use among teenage boys is on the increase.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><script src="entry.js"></script>