What does reuse mean?
Reuse means to use something again, especially an object, material, resource, or piece of information that has already been used once. The word appears in practical instructions such as “reuse existing materials,” in technical writing about reusing code, and in discussions of environmental responsibility. It often suggests that something still has value and can serve another purpose, although the phrase does not necessarily imply that the reused item has been physically recycled. As a noun, reuse can refer both to the act of using something again and to the resulting repeated or repurposed use. Compared with recycle, reuse is broader: it can apply to digital files, software, designs, furniture, containers, and ideas. The word is especially useful when discussing efficiency, sustainability, and making full use of available resources.
To use something again, especially after it has already been used, or to use it for a different purpose.
"The museum reused the old display cases for a new exhibition."
Often used with objects, materials, resources, designs, and digital content.
The act of using something again, or using an existing resource for another purpose.
"The reuse of the old materials reduced the project's cost and waste."
The plural is “reuses,” though it is less common than the singular and is often avoided in technical contexts.
Used for separate instances or acts of using something again.
"The designer found several reuses for the discarded fabric."
Reuse is a quiet act of ingenuity: it gives an existing object, idea, or resource a second life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reuse come from?
Reuse was formed in English by combining the prefix re-, meaning “again,” with use. The base use comes through Old French user, ultimately from the Latin usare, meaning “to use” or “to employ,” which is also the source of related English words such as usable, useful, and utility. The prefixed form became established as a general word for using something again or putting it to a new purpose.
Related word forms
How reuse is actually used
Reuse is common in formal, technical, and environmental contexts. It is generally neutral, though it often carries the implication of avoiding waste or unnecessary duplication.
Easily confused with reuse
Reuse means to use something again, while refuse means to decline an offer or to reject something.