sec·ond·hand
ˈse-kən(d)-ˈhand 
1
a
: received from or through an intermediary : borrowed
b
: derivative
secondhand ideas
2
a
: acquired after being used by another : not new
secondhand books
b
: dealing in secondhand merchandise
a secondhand bookstore
1
: at second hand : indirectly
heard about it secondhand
2
: as a secondhand item
bought the couch secondhand
: an intermediate person or means : intermediary
—usually used in the phrase at second hand
: the hand marking seconds on a timepiece
Examples of secondhand in a Sentence
Adjective
a dealer in secondhand furniture
He's always haunting the secondhand shops for bargains.
Recent Examples on the Web
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 31 Mar. 2025
Second, normcore pieces are widely available in secondhand markets.
—Zoe Bayliss Wong, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Joan Verdon, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
The company’s data shows that just less than half of consumers said personalization and stronger search functions put secondhand and buying new on a level playing field.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 19 Mar. 2025
Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Eternal Time, set on a pedestal, was a version of Clock Piece that had a ticking second hand but no minute or hour hands.
—David Sheff, ARTnews.com, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secondhand
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Adjective
Watching the two of them on screen together, still cohabiting despite the impending split, is peak secondhand discomfort.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 31 Mar. 2025
Second, normcore pieces are widely available in secondhand markets.
—Zoe Bayliss Wong, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Adverb
In 2024, 58% of shoppers bought secondhand, up from 52% in 2023, which was the first time in the history of ThredUp reports that secondhand shoppers exceeded 50%.
—Joan Verdon, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
The company’s data shows that just less than half of consumers said personalization and stronger search functions put secondhand and buying new on a level playing field.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
Three models form the core collection with a classic black and white dial or a deep blue dial, both with a steel bracelet and a red central second hand.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Eternal Time, set on a pedestal, was a version of Clock Piece that had a ticking second hand but no minute or hour hands.
—David Sheff, ARTnews.com, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secondhand
Cite this Entry
“Secondhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secondhand. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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