second-hand: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral, informal
Quick answer
What does “second-hand” mean?
Previously owned or used by someone else.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Previously owned or used by someone else; not new.
Not directly experienced or obtained firsthand; received indirectly or via an intermediary.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The hyphen is standard in both (adjective/adverb), but 'secondhand' as one word is also accepted, especially in American English. Both varieties use the compound 'second-hand shop/store'.
Connotations
Can connote economy and sustainability, but also potential lower quality or wear.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties. The one-word spelling 'secondhand' may be slightly more common in American published sources.
Grammar
How to Use “second-hand” in a Sentence
Buy + [noun phrase] + second-handGet + [noun phrase] + second-handHear + [information] + second-handVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “second-hand” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- I rarely buy anything new; I prefer to shop second-hand.
- She heard the news second-hand from a colleague.
American English
- He acquired the guitar second-hand through a forum.
- I learned about it second-hand, so the details might be off.
adjective
British English
- She found a lovely second-hand dress at the charity shop.
- I get most of my books from second-hand bookshops.
American English
- He bought a second-hand truck from a dealer online.
- We furnished the apartment with second-hand furniture.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Describes a market for used goods (e.g., 'the second-hand car market').
Academic
Used critically to describe information sources (e.g., 'relying on second-hand accounts').
Everyday
Common when discussing shopping, possessions, and stories.
Technical
In public health, 'second-hand smoke' is a precise term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “second-hand”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “second-hand”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “second-hand”
- Using 'second-handed' (incorrect).
- Omitting the hyphen when used as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., 'a second hand car' is less standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but it usually is, especially before a noun (as a compound adjective). 'Secondhand' as one word is also common, particularly in American English.
'Second-hand' often implies a previous private owner and is common for consumer goods (cars, clothes, books). 'Used' is more general and can apply to anything from industrial machinery to software licenses.
Yes, in phrases like 'second-hand embarrassment' or 'second-hand stress', meaning an emotion felt empathetically by observing someone else's experience.
By definition, it is less reliable than firsthand information because it has been filtered or interpreted by an intermediary, which may introduce errors or bias.
Previously owned or used by someone else.
Second-hand is usually neutral, informal in register.
Second-hand: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɛkənd ˈhand/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɛkənd ˈhænd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Second-hand smoke”
- “Second-hand embarrassment”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a clock: the SECOND HAND comes after the first, just as a SECOND-HAND item comes after its first owner.
Conceptual Metaphor
OWNERSHIP IS A CHAIN (first link, second link). KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE IS A COMMODITY (can be passed on, but loses value).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following uses of 'second-hand' is CORRECT?