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
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Did your skin start crawling off your body in secondhand embarrassment as Mark and Helly just kind of wobbled around in that hallway almost kissing for almost 40 damn seconds?
—Brian Grubb, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025
Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2025
Kelly Riley, the founder of June Taylor in Lakeland, Florida, will source lots of her art books secondhand.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025
Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
The dial of a 36- to 38-millimeter watch usually showcases just the hour, minute and second hands, and possibly a simple date window.
—Roberta Naas, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secondhand
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
According to research compiled by Statista, the global apparel secondhand market was estimated to be worth $211 billion in 2023, and is expected to rise to more than $350 billion by 2027.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Did your skin start crawling off your body in secondhand embarrassment as Mark and Helly just kind of wobbled around in that hallway almost kissing for almost 40 damn seconds?
—Brian Grubb, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025
Adverb
Sara Hillery, the founder of Sara Hillery Interior Design in Richmond, Virginia, likes to source these types of tables secondhand.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2025
Kelly Riley, the founder of June Taylor in Lakeland, Florida, will source lots of her art books secondhand.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025
Noun
With his left leg moving to an invisible beat, Isbell wielded his right hand akin to the second hand of a clock, keeping steady time and brushing against strings with varying degrees of force to shape the sound.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
The dial of a 36- to 38-millimeter watch usually showcases just the hour, minute and second hands, and possibly a simple date window.
—Roberta Naas, New York Times, 12 Feb. 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 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share