# third hand

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/third-hand
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Not new, having more than one previous owner.

## Examples

- I bought this third hand car for a very low price.
- The jacket was third hand by the time I got it, but it was still in great condition.
- He searched through the dusty shelves of the antique shop, hoping to find a rare book that was at least third hand.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.