What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unusable
Example
The computer is unusable because the hard drive crashed. [unusable: adjective]
Example
The old car parts were unusable and had to be replaced. [unusable: adjective]
useless
Example
The broken pencil sharpener is useless now. [useless: adjective]
Example
The advice he gave me was useless and didn't help at all. [useless: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Useless is more commonly used than unusable in everyday language. Useless is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while unusable is more specific and less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unusable and useless?
Both unusable and useless are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
