: familiar with something so that it seems normal or usual
I'm not used to driving this car yet.
He is used to criticism.
The dog will need a few days to become used to its new home.
She quickly got used to the warm weather.
1
—used to say a situation existed in the past but does not exist now
My grandmother said winters used to be harder here.
2
—used to say something happened repeatedly in the past but does not happen now
We used to go out more often.
They used to eat a lot of junk food but now they only eat healthy foods.
Examples of used to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 1 May 2026
Superjumbo used to also have an art gallery and sell movies, things that Mancuso said could come back at the new location.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The Burgess Shale is one of a small handful of Cambrian deposits that reach the level of Lagerstätten, a German term used to describe incredibly diverse and exceptionally preserved fossil sites.
—Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 1 May 2026
Most of the money in the agreements is required to be used to deal with the epidemic.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Base oils are the primary component used to produce high-performance lubricants for engine oils and industrial fluids.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 1 May 2026
People used to go there to read newspapers and show one another their pet birds.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Instead, technology can be used to uphold the very values of humility and responsibility that the tradition was built.
—Fmg Studios, Footwear News, 1 May 2026
Disney also is prepping the reopening of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios, where Muppets have taken over where Aerosmith used to rock and roller.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Verb
If needed, these personal alarms can be used to ward off threats, including people or animals, and serve to alert nearby rescue teams.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 1 May 2026
Superjumbo used to also have an art gallery and sell movies, things that Mancuso said could come back at the new location.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The Burgess Shale is one of a small handful of Cambrian deposits that reach the level of Lagerstätten, a German term used to describe incredibly diverse and exceptionally preserved fossil sites.
—Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 1 May 2026
Most of the money in the agreements is required to be used to deal with the epidemic.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Base oils are the primary component used to produce high-performance lubricants for engine oils and industrial fluids.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 1 May 2026
People used to go there to read newspapers and show one another their pet birds.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Instead, technology can be used to uphold the very values of humility and responsibility that the tradition was built.
—Fmg Studios, Footwear News, 1 May 2026
Disney also is prepping the reopening of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios, where Muppets have taken over where Aerosmith used to rock and roller.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Used to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/used%20to. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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