# unused

/ənˈjuzd/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unused
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. new or not yet used

adjective · CEFR B1

not used yet; still new or in its original condition.

For teachers: not having been put to use; remaining in a pristine or original state.

- The guest bedroom had several unused towels neatly folded on the bed.
- The company decided to sell off its unused equipment to recover some of the initial investment costs before the end of the fiscal year.

### 2. not accustomed to

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

not used to something; not having experience with a situation.

For teachers: not accustomed or habituated to a particular condition or environment; typically followed by the preposition 'to'.

- He was unused to the heat of the desert and felt tired quickly.
- Being unused to such public scrutiny, the young author found the sudden media attention both overwhelming and intrusive.

Usage: Always followed by the preposition 'to' and a noun or gerund.

Teaching tip: In modern speech, 'not used to' is much more common than 'unused to', which can sound quite formal or literary.

## Examples

- The guest bedroom remains unused most of the year.
- The company decided to sell its unused office equipment to save money on storage fees.
- The architect's plan incorporated several unused industrial spaces, transforming them into vibrant community hubs while preserving the original structural integrity of the buildings.

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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.