Etymology Map
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Use

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to employ for a purpose

Where does the word "use" come from? It comes from Latin usus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
usus
Latin · ancient
"use"
from 'uti', to use
2
Stage 2 of 3
user
Old French · medieval
"to use"
also meant to be accustomed to
3
Stage 3 of 3
use
English · 1200s
"to employ"
'used to' for past habit dates from the 1300s
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Read the full story

Use’s story begins in Latin: usus meant “use.” From 'uti', to use. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as user. Also meant to be accustomed to. It reached English by 1200s as use. 'used to' for past habit dates from the 1300s. Today, use means to employ for a purpose.