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Unused vs Misused - What's the difference?

unused | misused |

As adjectives the difference between unused and misused

is that unused is not used while misused is used in an incorrect or inappropriate manner.

As a verb misused is

past tense of misuse.

unused

English

Usage notes

The second pronunciation () pronunciation, which is acceptable for either sense and is normally used for the "not used" sense in all registers.

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • not used
    • I have two unused vouchers for a free meal.
  • not accustomed
    • I am unused to the dark nights of the countryside.

    Anagrams

    *

    misused

    English

    Adjective

    (head)
  • Used in an incorrect or inappropriate manner.
    • The oft misused word didn't mean what he thought it meant, but everyone else misunderstood it too.

    Verb

    (head)
  • (misuse)