use to

phrase

—used to say that something existed or repeatedly happened in the past but does not exist or happen now

—used with did

Did you use to work there?

It didn't use to be like that.

He didn't use to smoke.

Cite this Entry

Style

“Use to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/use%20to. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

boondoggle

Listen to the pronunciation of boondoggle

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

See More

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?