What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unspent
Example
I still have some unspent money from my last paycheck. [unspent: adjective]
Example
She had unspent energy after finishing her workout. [unspent: adjective]
Example
The unspent time allowed him to catch up on his reading. [unspent: adjective]
unused
Example
The unused gym equipment was collecting dust in the corner. [unused: adjective]
Example
He had many unused talents that he never pursued. [unused: adjective]
Example
The unused room in the house was being used for storage. [unused: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unused is more commonly used than unspent in everyday language. Unused is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unspent is less common and is mostly used in financial or temporal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unspent and unused?
Both unspent and unused are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.