USAGE Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

usage

[yoo-sij, -zij]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a customary way of doing something; a custom or practice.
the usages of the last 50 years.
Synonyms: , ,
the customary manner in which a language or a form of a language is spoken or written.
English usage; a grammar based on usage rather than on arbitrary notions of correctness.
a particular instance of this.
a usage borrowed from French.
any manner of doing or handling something; treatment.
rough usage.
habitual or customary use; long-continued practice.
immemorial usage.
an act of using or employing; use.

usage

/ -zɪdʒ, ˈjuːsɪdʒ /

noun

the act or a manner of using; use; employment
constant use, custom, or habit
something permitted or established by custom or practice
what is actually said in a language, esp as contrasted with what is prescribed

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Confusables Note

The nouns usage and use are related in origin and meaning and to some extent overlap in their use. Usage usually refers to habitual or customary practices or procedures: Some usages of the Anglican Church are similar to those of the Roman Catholic Church. It is also commonly used in reference to language practices: English usage is divided in the pronunciation of aunt. Use refers to the act of using or employing (something): She put her extra money to good use. Perhaps in the belief that it is the more impressive term, usage is sometimes used where use would be more natural: Has your usage of a personal computer made the work any easier?

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

nonusage noun

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of usage¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Medieval Latin ū��پ��ܳ�, equivalent to Latin ū��(�ܲ�) ( use ) + -��پ��ܳ� -age

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of usage¹

C14: via Old French, from Latin ū��ܲ� _use (n)

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Magee said the school paid only a “small usage fee” for the venue.

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The installation features over seven decades of work by the two artists, highlighting their parallel energies and color usage.

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Many water companies will be hoping for a wet summer to redress the balance and help avoid the need to introduce restrictions to water usage in the months ahead.

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But when usage spiked during the pandemic, nitrous oxide manufacturers began selling much larger canisters online – as large as 2kg – and, eventually, in shops selling electronic vapes and other smoking paraphernalia.

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They said one way of reducing water usage would be to shift from water-intensive crops like alfalfa to other crops that use less.

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Related 51�Թ�s

management��

U.S.A.F.R.usageaster

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