Definition, synonyms and related words
plural of use
"After his father passed away and transferred the family estate's legal title to a trustee, John retained the life use of the property until he reached retirement age."
A form of equitable ownership peculiar to English law, by which one person enjoys the profits of lands, etc. whose legal title is vested in another in trust.
In plain English: Uses are the things that something is good for or can do.
"The new smartphone has several powerful uses for taking photos and editing videos."
Usage: The noun use refers specifically to an old legal concept where someone holds rights to land's profits while another keeps the official title; it should not be confused with the modern verb meaning "to employ." This term appears primarily in historical texts or discussions of English property law rather than everyday conversation.
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of use
"She uses a special filter to make her coffee taste better every morning."
In plain English: To use something means to put it to work for a specific purpose.
"Many people use smartphones to check their emails while commuting."
Derived from Old French us (use) via Anglo-Norman, this form represents the third-person singular present tense of the verb "to use." Its root traces back to Latin uti, meaning "to employ" or "to enjoy as a right.