Word
secondhand
Phoneticssec·ond·hand, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɛkəndˌhænd/
UK/sˈɛkəndhˌænd/
Definition
adj. describing something that was owned or used by someone else before you. You buy these things in thrift stores or from friends instead of buying them new.
adj. previously owned or used by another party; not new. Often used to describe goods purchased from a previous owner or the indirect acquisition of information.
Examples
“I bought a secondhand car to save money.”
“The bookstore specializes in rare secondhand novels that are no longer in print.”
“While some consumers avoid secondhand clothing due to perceived quality issues, others embrace it as a sustainable alternative to the environmental impact of fast fashion.”
Examples
simple
“I bought a secondhand car to save money.”
contextual
“The bookstore specializes in rare secondhand novels that are no longer in print.”
complex
“While some consumers avoid secondhand clothing due to perceived quality issues, others embrace it as a sustainable alternative to the environmental impact of fast fashion.”
Usage
Can be used both before a noun or after a linking verb. Often written as 'second-hand' with a hyphen in British English.
Pitfall
I bought it secondhanded
I bought it secondhand
Learners often incorrectly add '-ed' to the end; 'secondhand' is already the correct adjective and adverb form.
Etymology
From second + hand.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/secondhand