secondhand

1 of 4

adjective

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

secondhand

2 of 4

adverb

1

: at second hand : indirectly

heard about it secondhand

2

: as a secondhand item

bought the couch secondhand

second hand

3 of 4

noun (1)

ˌse-kən(d)-ˈhand 

: an intermediate person or means : intermediary

—usually used in the phrase at second hand

second hand

4 of 4

noun (2)

ˈsek-ən(d)-ˌhand 

: the hand marking seconds on a timepiece

Synonyms

Adjective

• derivative
• secondary

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

Adjective

The company’s research indicates that 80 percent of secondhand purchases on Vestiaire are instead of a firsthand purchase, which means about 10 million new items not purchased. —Rhonda Richford, WWD, 14 Oct. 2024

What's next: Boomerangs by More Than Words will sell secondhand clothes, accessories, books, home goods and music — much like the old Boomerangs. —Steph Solis, Axios, 7 Oct. 2024

Adverb

Most trustworthy sellers understand that an investment, even secondhand, is worth consideration. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2024

For those who prefer buying trends secondhand, may the vintage suiting odds be ever in your favour. —Ebony-Renee Baker, refinery29.com, 30 Apr. 2024

Noun

This means that one new watch face, an attractive analog face called Reflections, has a second hand that keeps ticking by even when your watch is by your side. —David Phelan, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

To eliminate parallax errors, the minute and second hands are thoughtfully curved at the ends, a feature on all of Hanhart’s watches. —Bhanu Chopra, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1759, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing secondhand

• secondhand smoke

Kids Definition

secondhand

1 of 2 adjective

sec·​ond·​hand

ˌsek-ən-ˈhand

1

: not original : taken from someone else

secondhand reports

2

a

: having had a previous owner

a secondhand car

b

: selling used goods

a secondhand store

secondhand adverb

second hand

2 of 2 noun

: the hand marking seconds on a timepiece