# secondhand

/ˈsɛkəndˌhænd/ (US) · /sˈɛkəndhˌænd/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/secondhand
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I bought it secondhanded" but "I bought it secondhand" — Learners often incorrectly add '-ed' to the end; 'secondhand' is already the correct adjective and adverb form.

## Usage notes

- Can be used both before a noun or after a linking verb. Often written as 'second-hand' with a hyphen in British English.

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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.