usage
gb/jˈusɪd͡ʒ/ us/jˈusɪd͡ʒ/
A2
English
~ 3100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
manner of using something
The way someone uses something.
Usage pattern:
the usage of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'usage' with 'use'; 'use' can be a verb or noun, while 'usage' is only a noun and often refers to habitual or proper ways of using something.
Synonyms
application (Focuses more on the act or process of putting something into use.)
|
employment (More formal; often used for tools, methods, or skills.)
Antonyms
misuse (Refers to using something in a wrong or harmful way.)
Collocations
proper usage
|word usage
|common usage
|correct usage
|practical usage
Themes
language
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The manual explains the correct usage of the new software.
- This dictionary includes notes on word usage.
- Over time, the usage of this term has changed.
- He criticized the improper usage of company funds.
Learner examples
- The teacher showed the correct usage of the word.
- I read about the usage of this tool.
- We learned the usage of commas in class.
- The usage of water is high in summer.
Noun
B2
entity
2
customary way of using words
The usual way people use words in a language.
Usage pattern:
[adjective] usage in [language]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'usage' with 'grammar'; 'usage' refers to how language is actually used, not just rules.
Synonyms
convention (Refers generally to agreed-upon ways of doing something, including language.)
|
idiom (Refers to a common expression whose meaning may not be literal.)
Antonyms
nonstandard usage (Refers to language use that does not follow accepted norms.)
Collocations
modern usage
|American usage
|British usage
|formal usage
Themes
language
|grammar
|education
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- In modern English usage, 'they' can be singular.
- The book focuses on American English usage.
- Usage varies between British and Australian English.
- Formal usage is preferred in academic writing.
Learner examples
- In English usage, this word is polite.
- British and American usage can be different.
- The teacher explained formal usage.
- I read about modern word usage.
Noun
A2
quantity
3
amount of use over time
How much of something is used in a time period.
Usage pattern:
[high/low] usage of [something]
Synonyms
consumption (Often used for resources like energy, food, or fuel; slightly broader than 'usage'.)
Antonyms
conservation (Refers to using less of a resource to protect it.)
Collocations
energy usage
|water usage
|data usage
|fuel usage
Themes
business
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|science
Examples
- Water usage increases during hot weather.
- The app tracks your data usage.
- High energy usage leads to bigger bills.
- We need to reduce our fuel usage.
Learner examples
- My phone shows my data usage.
- Water usage is high in summer.
- We check our energy usage every month.
- Fuel usage is low in this car.
Grammar
Dictionary form
usage
IPA
GB/jˈusɪd͡ʒ/
US/jˈusɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
us - age (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (us)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: usage
- Plural: usage, usages
Word family
Forms
usages
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
Expressions
fall into disuse
1/fˈɔl ˈɪntu dɪsjˈus/
idiom
stop being used over time
To slowly stop being used by people.
Examples
- Many old words have fallen into disuse.
- The factory fell into disuse after it closed.
go out of use
1/ɡˈoʊ ˈaʊt əv jˈus/
fixed phrase
no longer used by people
To stop being used by people.
Examples
- This type of machine has gone out of use.
- Some traditions have gone out of use over the years.
in common usage
1/ˈɪn kˈɑmən jˈusɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
widely used by people
Used by many people often and regularly.
Examples
- This phrase is no longer in common usage.
- In common usage, this term means something different now.