Nearby Words
noun
1.
a customary way of doing something; a custom or practice: the usages of the last 50 years.
2.
3.
a particular instance of this: a usage borrowed from French.
4.
any manner of doing or handling something; treatment: rough usage.
5.
EXPANDhabitual or customary use; long-continued practice: immemorial usage.
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French < Medieval Latin ūsāticum, equivalent to Latin ūs(us) (see use) + -āticum -age
1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French < Medieval Latin ūsāticum, equivalent to Latin ūs(us) (see use) + -āticum -age
Related forms
non·us·age, noun
Can be confused: use, usage, utilize (see usage note at the current entry; see synonym note at use).
Synonyms
1. tradition, habit, convention.
1. tradition, habit, convention.
Usage 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. EXPANDUse 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?
COLLAPSE
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. EXPANDUse 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?
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To Usage
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Usage
is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
Example Sentences
- The speaker's meaning may depend on various factors including context, tone of voice, local custom and historical usage.
- In general, the machine's handwriting features aren't quite good enough yet for the ideal usage.
- As communications integrate, usage is bound to soar further.
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
usage
c.1300, "established practice, custom," from Anglo-Fr. and O.Fr. usage "custom, habit, experience," from us, from L. usus "use, custom" (see use).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Word Dynamo Rating For Usage
Matching Quote
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