unused

adjective

un·​used ˌən-ˈyüzd 

in the phrase "unused to" usually -ˈyüs(t)

1

: not habituated : unaccustomed

unused to crowds

2

: not used: such as

a

: fresh, new

set an unused canvas on the easel

b

: not put to use : idle

unused land

c

: not consumed : accrued

unused sick leave

Synonyms of unused

• unadjusted
• unadapted
• unaccustomed

Examples of unused in a Sentence

The library has been unused for 10 years.

I have four days of unused vacation time left.

Recent Examples on the Web

The through-line is the removal of items from the countertop and their relocation to otherwise unused vertical or hidden space. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

In schools, lead can come from deteriorating paint or from old plumbing, where water that sits unused in pipes can pick up lead. — Rebecca Smullin Dawson, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026

That's because Saudi Arabia and other Gulf producers quickly found alternative routes and reached for unused pipeline capacity. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

As Variety exclusively reported at the time, producers decided to keep Garlin’s character on the show for the rest of the season by using off-camera dialogue and unused takes pulled from earlier episodes, as well as previously shot images of Garlin. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unused

• unused to

Rhymes for unused

• disabused
• overused
• underused
• unexcused
• abused
• accused
• amused
• bemused
• confused
• contused
• defused
• diffused

Kids Definition

unused

adjective

un·​used ˌən-ˈyüzd 

ˈən-

in the phrase "

unused to "

usually -ˈyüs(t)

1

: not accustomed

unused to crowds

2

a

: not having been used before

an unused paintbrush

b

: not being in use : idle

c

: available for future use

unused vacation time