ENGLISH
REFERENCE

secondhand

adj.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈsɛkəndˌhænd// UK //sˈɛkəndhˌænd// sec·ond·hand

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.


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.

Synonyms
Origin

From second + hand.

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 secondhandedI bought it secondhandLearners often incorrectly add '-ed' to the end; 'secondhand' is already the correct adjective and adverb form.

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