Reuse

/ˌriːˈjuːz/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To use something again, often for the same or a similar purpose.

/ˌriːˈjuːz/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To use something again after it has been used.

We should reuse plastic bags whenever possible.

💡 Simply: Imagine you have an empty water bottle. Instead of throwing it away, you fill it up again and drink from it. That's reusing! You're giving something a second chance.

👶 For kids: To use something again, like using a toy or a paper bag more than once.

More Examples

2

The company is committed to reusing its packaging materials.

3

Can you reuse the empty jars for storage?

How It's Used

Environmental Science

"Companies are encouraged to reuse materials to reduce waste."

Everyday Life

"She decided to reuse the plastic container to store leftovers."

2

The action or practice of using something again, often with little or no alteration.

/ˈriːˌjuːs/

nounneutralBeginner
Concept

The act of using something again.

Reuse is an important part of being environmentally conscious.

💡 Simply: Reuse is the concept of using things over again, like using a paperclip multiple times instead of throwing it away after just one use. It's all about saving resources.

👶 For kids: When you use something again and again, like your favorite toy!

More Examples

2

The city promotes reuse of materials to reduce landfill waste.

3

We are focusing on reuse rather than disposal.

How It's Used

Environmentalism

"Reuse is a key strategy in waste reduction."

Business

"The company's plan focuses on reuse of materials in production."

Tip:Consider the action: reusing things!

Idioms & expressions

reuse and reduce

A phrase that encourages environmentally friendly practices of using items multiple times and lessening consumption.

"The three R's are reduce, reuse, and recycle."

From re- (meaning "again") + use (from Old French user, from Latin uti "to use").

The word 'reuse' has become increasingly common in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, reflecting growing environmental awareness and concern for sustainability.

Memory tip

Think of the prefix 're-' meaning again. So reuse means to use again.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"To use"

reuse materialsreuse productsreuse containerspromote reuseencourage reuse

Common misspellings

re-usere use

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written