to use
Third Person
uses
Present Participle
using
Past Tense
used
Past Participle
used
1
to do something with an object, method, etc. to achieve a specific result
transitive
- He is using his phone to take a picture.
- I am making a smoothie using frozen fruit and yogurt.
- I use my keys to unlock the door.
- The sharp blade makes the knife easy to use for chopping vegetables.
- What type of oil do you use for cooking?
2
to consume or take a particular amount from a limited supply of a liquid, substance, etc.
transitive
- Don't use too much soap when you wash the dishes.
- She used most of the paint on her canvas.
- The printer uses a lot of ink, which can be expensive to replace.
- The sunscreen is expensive, so use it sparingly to make it last.
- They used all the hot water in the shower.
Synonyms:
3
to speak or write with specific words or a particular style
transitive
- He often uses slang when talking to his friends.
- She reminded him to not use profanity in front of their guests.
- The play uses poetic dialogue.
- The story uses short sentences and basic vocabulary.
- The teacher told us to use active voice in our essays.