use
gb/jˈus/ us/jˈus/
A1
Inglés
~ 300
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Verbo
A1
action
1
Employ something for a purpose
To do something with an object, tool, or idea to achieve a goal.
Patrón de uso:
to use [something] to [do something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'use' with 'spend' when talking about time or money. 'Use' focuses on the action or function, while 'spend' refers to giving up time or money.
Sinónimos
utilize (More formal and often used in technical contexts.)
Antónimos
ignore (Not making use of something available.)
Colocaciones
use a computer
|use a phone
|use a tool
|use time wisely
|use force
Temas
daily life
|work
|education
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- I use my laptop for both work and entertainment.
- She used a knife to cut the bread.
- You can use this key to open the garage.
- They used the money to buy new equipment.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I use my phone every day.
- He uses a pen to write.
- We use water to cook rice.
- She uses a bag for her books.
Sustantivo
A2
entity
2
Act of employing something
The act of doing something with an object, tool, or idea.
Error frecuente:
Learners may confuse 'use' as a noun with 'usage'. 'Usage' often refers to the way something is used, especially language.
Sinónimos
application (More formal; often used in technical or academic contexts.)
Antónimos
disuse (The state of not being used.)
Colocaciones
make use of
|in common use
|put to use
Temas
daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The use of plastic bags is being reduced in many cities.
- This machine is for laboratory use only.
- The dictionary is of great use when learning new words.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The use of phones is not allowed here.
- We learned about the use of tools.
- This pen is for office use.
Verbo
A2
action
3
Consume or expend a resource
To take and finish something like time, money, or fuel.
Patrón de uso:
to use [resource] [up/in doing something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes forget 'use up' is needed when emphasizing that nothing remains.
Sinónimos
expend (More formal; often used in business or technical contexts.)
Antónimos
save (To keep rather than consume a resource.)
Colocaciones
use energy
|use fuel
|use money wisely
Temas
daily life
|economy
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- This car uses a lot of fuel.
- We used all our savings to buy the house.
- She uses too much sugar in her tea.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I use much water when I cook pasta.
- He uses all his money on games.
- We use too much paper at school.
Verbo
B1
action
4
Exploit someone unfairly
To get what you want from someone in an unfair way.
Patrón de uso:
to use [someone] for [benefit]
Error frecuente:
Learners may confuse this with the neutral meaning of 'use'. Context usually makes the negative tone clear.
Sinónimos
exploit (Stronger connotation of unfairness and harm.)
Antónimos
help (To support someone without selfish motives.)
Colocaciones
use someone for money
|use someone for personal gain
Temas
relationships
|ethics
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- He was just using her to get a promotion.
- They accused the company of using its workers.
- She felt he had used her trust for his own gain.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- He uses her to get money.
- They use people to get power.
- She uses friends to get help.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
use
AFI
GB/jˈus/
US/jˈus/
Sílabas y acento
use (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (use)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: use
- Plural: use, uses
Verb
- Base: use
- 3rd Person Singular: uses
- Present Participle: using
- Past: used
Familia de palabras
Expresiones
be of use
1/bˈi əv jˈus/
fixed phrase
Be helpful or useful
To be helpful in some way.
Ejemplos
- I hope this information will be of use to you.
- His advice was of little use in solving the problem.
used to
1/jˈust tə/
fixed phrase
Past habit or state no longer true
Shows that something happened often in the past but does not happen now.
Ejemplos
- I used to play tennis every weekend.
- She used to live in New York.
make use of
1/mˈeɪk jˈus əv/
fixed phrase
Employ something effectively
To use something in an effective way.
Ejemplos
- We should make use of the free materials provided.
- We should make use of the free resources available online.
- She made good use of her time abroad.
- She made use of her contacts to find a new job.
use up
1/jˈuz ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Consume completely a resource
To finish all of something so there is none left.
Ejemplos
- We used up all the milk making pancakes.
- She used up all the flour making bread.
- Don't use up all your energy before the race.
- Do not use up all your energy on the first task.
- We’ve used up our data for this month.