English Reference

Word

user

Phoneticsus·er, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈjuzɝ/

UK/jˈuːzɐ/

Definitions

01computing/technology

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Computing

n. a person who uses a computer, an app, or a website.

n. an individual who operates a computer system or software, typically via a registered account.

“The new app is very easy for the average user to understand.”

“The system administrator reset the password after the user failed to authenticate their identity through the secure portal.”

02general consumer

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. someone who uses a specific product or service.

n. a person who makes use of a particular facility, product, or service.

“Regular users of the library can borrow up to ten books at a time.”

“The city council conducted a survey to determine if frequent users of public transport were satisfied with the new bus routes.”

Antonyms

03an exploiter

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a person who uses other people in a selfish or unfair way.

n. an individual who habitually exploits others for personal gain or emotional support without offering anything in return.

“She eventually realised he was just a user who only called when he needed money.”

“In her memoir, she describes her former business partner as a cold-hearted user who discarded colleagues once they were no longer profitable.”

Synonyms

exploitermanipulator

Antonyms

giveraltruist

04drug user

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine

n. a person who uses illegal drugs.

n. an individual who habitually consumes controlled substances or illegal drugs.

“The local clinic provides support and clean needles for drug users.”

“Public health initiatives often focus on harm reduction strategies for long-term intravenous drug users within the urban core.”

Synonyms

05username

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Computing Informal

n. the name you use to log in to a website or app.

n. a shortened form of 'username', referring to the unique identifier for a digital account.

“I forgot my user, so I had to ask the website to email it to me.”

“Please ensure your user and password do not contain any special characters that might conflict with the database syntax.”

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “user” in context.

01. allow user 02. group user 03. help user 04. user want

Etymology

From Middle English usere, equivalent to use + -er. Cognate with Scots usar, uiser (“user”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

user(A2)

Related words

Domains

ComputingInternetLawProgramming

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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English Reference