What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
secondhandedness
Example
I don't like the secondhandedness of buying a used car. [secondhandedness: noun]
Example
He only knows about the event through secondhandedness, as he wasn't there himself. [secondhandedness: noun]
used
Example
I bought a used book from the thrift store. [used: adjective]
Example
She used to smoke but quit last year. [used: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Used is more commonly used than secondhandedness in everyday language. Used is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while secondhandedness is less common and more colloquial.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between secondhandedness and used?
Used is more formal than secondhandedness. While used can be used in both formal and informal contexts, secondhandedness is more colloquial and less formal.
