# usage

/ˈjusədʒ/ (US) · /jˈuːsɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/usage
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. language use

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the way that words and phrases are actually used by people when they speak or write.

For teachers: the established manner in which a language is spoken or written within a particular community.

- The dictionary provides many examples of modern English usage.
- The professor noted that while the phrasing was technically grammatical, it did not align with standard academic usage in the field of linguistics.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to general language patterns.

### 2. the act of using

noun · CEFR B2

the act of using something, or the amount that it is used.

For teachers: the action of using something or the fact of being used; often relates to the consumption of a resource.

- The new car is designed to reduce fuel usage during long trips.
- The city council implemented new regulations to monitor industrial water usage during the peak of the summer drought.

Usage: Commonly found in technical or official contexts regarding resources like water or electricity.

### 3. treatment of others

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

the way you treat a person or a thing.

For teachers: the manner of treating a person or thing; often used in legal or formal contexts regarding fair or unfair treatment.

- The prisoners complained about their harsh usage by the guards.
- The humanitarian report detailed the rough usage of displaced civilians by the local militia forces during the conflict.

Usage: Usually modified by an adjective like 'fair', 'harsh', or 'rough'.

## Examples

- The phone's battery life depends on your daily usage.
- The new software tracks internet usage to help families manage their time online more effectively.
- While the dictionary records how words were used in the past, modern usage often shifts rapidly due to the influence of social media and global communication.

---

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.