Use vs. Usage: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 18, 2024
'Use' refers to the act of employing something for a purpose, while 'usage' denotes the way in which something is used or the customary practices.
Key Differences
Use implies the act of employing something for a specific purpose. Usage refers to the manner or the customary practice of using something.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Use is often a verb describing an action. Usage is typically a noun, indicating the manner or conditions of using something.
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Jan 18, 2024
Use in language refers to the act of employing words or phrases. Usage denotes the conventional way in which language is used, often referring to grammatical and stylistic practices.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Use of technology implies actively operating or engaging with it. Usage in technology context often refers to the extent or pattern of use over time.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Use can be societal, like using public transport. Usage often implies broader societal patterns, like the usage of social media in different demographics.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Act of employing something.
Manner or conditions of using something.
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Jan 18, 2024
Examples in Language
"I use this pen for writing."
"The usage of 'whom' is declining in modern English."
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Jan 18, 2024
Application in Technology
"I use this app daily."
"Data usage on this device is high."
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Jan 18, 2024
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Use and Usage Definitions
Usage
Customary practice in language
Her writing reflects proper English usage.
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Jan 03, 2024
Use
The act of utilizing something
She frequently uses her skills in coding.
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Jan 03, 2024
Usage
The way in which something is used
The usage of solar panels is increasing.
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Jan 03, 2024
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Usage
Conventional deployment of tools or resources
Water usage in agriculture is a critical issue.
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Jan 03, 2024
Use
Function or purpose of an object
The primary use of a hammer is to drive nails.
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Jan 03, 2024
Usage
Application in a particular context
The usage of this term varies across cultures.
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Jan 03, 2024
Use
To put into service or employ for a purpose
I used a whisk to beat the eggs. The song uses only three chords.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Usage
The act, manner, or amount of using; use
Patterns of computer usage.
An instrument that measures water usage.
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Jan 02, 2024
Usage
The act or manner of treating; treatment
Subjected the car to rough usage.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
To conduct oneself toward; treat or handle
"the peace offering of a man who once used you unkindly" (Laurence Sterne).
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Jan 02, 2024
Usage
Habitual or accepted practice
Customs that have faded from common usage.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
To seek or achieve an end by means of; exploit
Used their highly placed friends to gain access to the president.
Felt he was being used by seekers of favor.
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Jan 02, 2024
Usage
A usual, habitual, or accepted practice
Manners and other social usages.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
To take or consume for a purpose
She used her savings to buy a computer.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Usage
The way in which words or phrases are actually used, spoken, or written in a speech community
"Dictionaries are but the depositories of words already legitimated by usage" (Thomas Jefferson).
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
(ys, yst) Used in the past tense followed by to in order to indicate a former state, habitual practice, or custom
Mail service used to be faster.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
The act of using something; the application or employment of something for a purpose
With the use of a calculator.
Skilled in the use of the bow and arrow.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
The permission, privilege, or benefit of using something
Gave us the use of their summerhouse.
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Jan 02, 2024
Usage
The established custom of using language; the ways and contexts in which spoken and written words are used, especially by a certain group of people or in a certain region.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
The need or occasion to use or employ something
I have no use for these old clothes.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Usage
The act of using; mode of using or treating; treatment; conduct with respect to a person or a thing; as, good usage; ill usage; hard usage.
My brotherIs prisoner to the bishop here, at whose handsHe hath good usage and great liberty.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
The quality of being suitable or adaptable to an end; usefulness
I tried to be of use in the kitchen.
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Jan 02, 2024
Usage
Manners; conduct; behavior.
A gentle nymph was found,Hight Astery, excelling all the crewIn courteous usage.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
A purpose for which something is used
A tool with several uses.
A pretty bowl, but of what use is it?.
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Jan 02, 2024
Usage
Long-continued practice; customary mode of procedure; custom; habitual use; method.
It has now been, during many years, the grave and decoroususage of Parliaments to hear, in respectful silence, all expressions, acceptable or unacceptable, which are uttered from the throne.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
Gain or advantage; good
There's no use in discussing it. What's the use?.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Usage
Customary use or employment, as of a word or phrase in a particular sense or signification.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
Accustomed or usual procedure or practice
"We are but creatures of use and custom" (Mark Twain).
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Jan 02, 2024
Usage
The act of using;
He warned against the use of narcotic drugs
Skilled in the utilization of computers
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
The benefit or profit of lands and tenements of which the legal title is vested in another.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
The arrangement establishing the equitable right to such benefits and profits.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
A liturgical form practiced in a particular church, ecclesiastical district, or community.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
The act of using.
The use of torture has been condemned by the United Nations.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
A function; a purpose for which something may be employed.
This tool has many uses.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
Occasion or need to employ; necessity.
I have no further use for these textbooks.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
(Christianity) The special form of ritual adopted for use in any diocese.
The Sarum, or Canterbury, use; the Hereford use; the York use; the Roman use; etc.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
(forging) A slab of iron welded to the side of a forging, such as a shaft, near the end, and afterward drawn down, by hammering, so as to lengthen the forging.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
(transitive) To employ; to apply; to utilize.
Use this knife to slice the bread.
We can use this mathematical formula to solve the problem.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
To expend; to consume by employing.
I used the money they allotted me.
We should use up most of the fuel.
She used all the time allotted to complete the test.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
(transitive) To consume (alcohol, drugs, etc), especially regularly.
He uses cocaine. I have never used drugs.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
(intransitive) To consume a previously specified substance, especially a drug to which one is addicted.
Richard began experimenting with cocaine last year; now he uses almost every day.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
To benefit from; to be able to employ or stand.
I could use a drink. My car could use a new coat of paint.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
To accustom; to habituate. Now common only in participial form. Uses the same pronunciation as the noun; see usage notes.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
To suggest, request, demand or expect that other people use a specific set of gender pronouns when referring to the subject.
I use they/them pronouns.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
To habitually do; to be wont to do. (Now chiefly in past-tense forms; see used to.)
I used to get things done.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
(dated) To behave toward; to act with regard to; to treat.
To use an animal cruelly
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
The act of employing anything, or of applying it to one's service; the state of being so employed or applied; application; employment; conversion to some purpose; as, the use of a pen in writing; his machines are in general use.
Books can never teach the use of books.
This Davy serves you for good uses.
When he framedAll things to man's delightful use.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
Occasion or need to employ; necessity; as, to have no further use for a book.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
Yielding of service; advantage derived; capability of being used; usefulness; utility.
God made two great lights, great for their useTo man.
'T is use alone that sanctifies expense.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
Continued or repeated practice; customary employment; usage; custom; manner; habit.
Let later age that noble use envy.
How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable,Seem to me all the uses of this world!
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
Common occurrence; ordinary experience.
O Cæsar! these things are beyond all use.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
The special form of ritual adopted for use in any diocese; as, the Sarum, or Canterbury, use; the Hereford use; the York use; the Roman use; etc.
From henceforth all the whole realm shall have but one use.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
The premium paid for the possession and employment of borrowed money; interest; usury.
Thou art more obliged to pay duty and tribute, use and principal, to him.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
The benefit or profit of lands and tenements. Use imports a trust and confidence reposed in a man for the holding of lands. He to whose use or benefit the trust is intended shall enjoy the profits. An estate is granted and limited to A for the use of B.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
A stab of iron welded to the side of a forging, as a shaft, near the end, and afterward drawn down, by hammering, so as to lengthen the forging.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
To make use of; to convert to one's service; to avail one's self of; to employ; to put a purpose; as, to use a plow; to use a chair; to use time; to use flour for food; to use water for irrigation.
Launcelot Gobbo, use your legs.
Some other means I have which may be used.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
To behave toward; to act with regard to; to treat; as, to use a beast cruelly.
How wouldst thou use me now?
Cato has used me ill.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
To practice customarily; to make a practice of; as, to use diligence in business.
Use hospitality one to another.
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
To accustom; to habituate; to render familiar by practice; to inure; - employed chiefly in the passive participle; as, men used to cold and hunger; soldiers used to hardships and danger.
I am so used in the fire to blow.
Thou with thy compeers,Used to the yoke, draw'st his triumphant wheels.
I would, my son, that thou wouldst use the powerWhich thy discretion gives thee, to controlAnd manage all.
To study nature will thy time employ:Knowledge and innocence are perfect joy.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
To be wont or accustomed; to be in the habit or practice; as, he used to ride daily; - now disused in the present tense, perhaps because of the similarity in sound, between "use to," and "used to."
They use to place him that shall be their captain on a stone.
Fears use to be represented in an imaginary.
Thus we use to say, it is the room that smokes, when indeed it is the fire in the room.
Now Moses used to take the tent and to pitch it without the camp.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
To be accustomed to go; to frequent; to inhabit; to dwell; - sometimes followed by of.
He useth every day to a merchant's house.
Ye valleys low, where the mild whispers useOf shades, and wanton winds, and gushing brooks.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
The act of using;
He warned against the use of narcotic drugs
Skilled in the utilization of computers
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
A particular service;
He put his knowledge to good use
Patrons have their uses
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
What something is used for;
The function of an auger is to bore holes
Ballet is beautiful but what use is it?
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
(economics) the utilization of economic goods to satisfy needs or in manufacturing;
The consumption of energy has increased steadily
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
A pattern of behavior acquired through frequent repetition;
She had a habit twirling the ends of her hair
Long use had hardened him to it
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
(law) the exercise of the legal right to enjoy the benefits of owning property;
We were given the use of his boat
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Jan 02, 2024
Use
Exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage;
His manipulation of his friends was scandalous
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
Put into service; make work or employ (something) for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose;
Use your head!
We only use Spanish at home
I can't make use of this tool
Apply a magnetic field here
This thinking was applied to many projects
How do you utilize this tool?
I apply this rule to get good results
Use the plastic bags to store the food
He doesn't know how to use a computer
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
Seek or achieve an end by using to one's advantage;
She uses her influential friends to get jobs
The president's wife used her good connections
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
Use up, consume fully;
The legislature expended its time on school questions
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
Avail oneself to;
Apply a principle
Practice a religion
Use care when going down the stairs
Use your common sense
Practice non-violent resistance
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Use
Habitually do something (use only in the past tense);
She used to call her mother every week but now she calls only occasionally
I used to get sick when I ate in that dining hall
They used to vacation in the Bahamas
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 02, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How does "use" function in a sentence as a verb?
As a verb, "use" denotes the act of employing something, e.g., "He uses a pen to write."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
What does "usage" imply in a sentence?
"Usage" implies the way something is used or the customary practices associated with it, e.g., "The usage of the word is evolving."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Is "usage" ever used as a verb?
No, "usage" is only used as a noun, not a verb.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
What is the primary difference between "use" and "usage"?
"Use" refers to the act of employing something for a purpose, while "usage" denotes the manner or the extent to which something is used.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Is "usage" related to language?
Yes, "usage" often refers to the way words or phrases are used in a language.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
How does "use" differ in meaning when used as a noun?
As a noun, "use" refers to the action of using something or the state of being used, e.g., "The use of plastic bags is discouraged."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Can "use" be a verb and a noun?
Yes, "use" can function as both a verb (e.g., to use a tool) and a noun (e.g., the use of a tool).
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Can "use" imply exploitation?
Yes, particularly when used as a verb, it can imply taking advantage of something, e.g., "He used his position for personal gain."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Can "use" denote utility or usefulness?
Yes, especially as a noun, it can imply the usefulness of something, e.g., "The use of solar energy is beneficial."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Can "use" imply habit?
Yes, when used as a noun, it can imply a habit, e.g., "His use of caffeine is excessive."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Does "usage" have a technical connotation?
It can, especially when referring to specific practices in fields like technology or linguistics.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Can "usage" refer to consumption?
Yes, it can refer to the amount or the way in which something is consumed, e.g., "Electricity usage increases in summer."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Is "use" commonly used in everyday speech?
Yes, "use" is a common term in both spoken and written English.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
How is "usage" applied in terms of services?
It refers to the utilization of services, e.g., "Internet usage has surged recently."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Does "use" have different forms?
Yes, it has different verb tenses like used, using, and has/have used.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
How is "use" employed in the context of software?
It refers to operating or employing software, e.g., "She frequently uses graphic design software."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Can "use" imply effectiveness?
Yes, it can imply how effective something is, e.g., "The use of this method proved successful."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Is "usage" used in the context of resources?
Yes, especially regarding the consumption or exploitation of resources, e.g., "Water usage in agriculture is a critical issue."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Is "usage" a term used in legal contexts?
Yes, it can refer to customary practices or rules in legal terms, e.g., "According to customary usage, the tenant is responsible for minor repairs."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Can "usage" refer to a habit in speaking or writing?
Yes, particularly in the context of language usage, e.g., "His usage of archaic terms is notable."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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