What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disuse
Example
The old factory fell into disuse after the company went bankrupt. [disuse: noun]
Example
The language had fallen into disuse and was no longer spoken by anyone. [disuse: noun]
unused
Example
The unused equipment was still in its original packaging. [unused: adjective]
Example
The unused vacation days will expire at the end of the year. [unused: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unused is more commonly used than disuse in everyday language. Unused is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while disuse is less common and is typically used to describe practices, skills, or languages that have fallen out of use.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disuse and unused?
Both disuse and unused are neutral and can be used in formal and informal contexts.
