Usait (en. Used)

/y.zɛ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench
verb
To make use of something, to exploit it.
He always made use of his skills to solve problems.
Il usait toujours de ses compétences pour résoudre des problèmes.
To make excessive or abusive use of something.
She used her influence to get what she wanted.
Elle usait de son influence pour obtenir ce qu'elle voulait.
Used in a figurative sense to describe a habit or a routine.
He relied on his old strategies to win.
Il usait de ses vieilles stratégies pour gagner.

Etymology

From the verb 'user', derived from the Latin 'usare'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

to make use of something
To make use of something.
user de quelque chose
to use something to the core
To exploit something to its last limit.
user jusqu'à la moelle
to exhaust one's resources
To use all one's abilities.
user ses ressources

Related Words

user
To make use of something.
user
wear
The action of wearing out, damaging something through use.
usure
worn
Referring to something that has suffered deterioration through use.
usé

Slang Meanings

To use excessively
He was using his phone non-stop.
Il usait son téléphone sans arrêt.
To twist a situation to one’s advantage
She was using her connections to advance her career.
Elle usait de ses relations pour avancer dans sa carrière.