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

However, while secondhand prices for EVs have been plummeting, evidence is building that their batteries could last longer than the eight-year warranties most come with. —James Morris, WIRED, 8 Dec. 2024

Every battle scene, basic training montage, or sequence of R&R has a secondhand quality, as if they were hastily cobbled together from memories of other war films. —Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024

Adverb

Because each of them lives in exile, their homeland is accessible only secondhand, through anecdotes and their family’s memories. —Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024

Shopping Spree Everyone who loves to buy things secondhand has a reason for doing so. —Elissaveta M. Brandon, WIRED, 4 Dec. 2024

Noun

The chronograph second hand, as is customary, is centrally mounted and on this watch bears a varnished orange airplane shape at its tip. —Chris Hall, WIRED, 10 Dec. 2024

Here, West can’t lose anything and may gain by playing his king, second hand high, on the first club. —Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 16 July 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