unused
adj.-
1 new or not yet used (adj.) B1 Intermediatenot used yet; still new or in its original condition.
not having been put to use; remaining in a pristine or original state.
ExampleThe guest bedroom had several unused towels neatly folded on the bed.
ExampleThe company decided to sell off its unused equipment to recover some of the initial investment costs before the end of the fiscal year.
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2 not accustomed to (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediate Formalnot used to something; not having experience with a situation.
not accustomed or habituated to a particular condition or environment; typically followed by the preposition 'to'.
ExampleHe was unused to the heat of the desert and felt tired quickly.
ExampleBeing unused to such public scrutiny, the young author found the sudden media attention both overwhelming and intrusive.
UsageAlways followed by the preposition 'to' and a noun or gerund.
Teacher's tipIn modern speech, 'not used to' is much more common than 'unused to', which can sound quite formal or literary.
- unaccustomed
- unfamiliar
- new
- accustomed
- used to
PitfallHe was unused at the cold weather.He was unused to the cold weather.The adjective 'unused' requires the preposition 'to' when it means 'not accustomed'.
From un- + used.