Pronunciations (2)
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/ˌsɛk(ə)n(d)ˈhænd/
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/ˈsɛk(ə)n(d)ˌhænd/
Adjective
Not new; previously owned and used by another.
Usage- not-comparable
- of goods
Dealing in such merchandise.
Usage- not-comparable
- of a dealer
Indirect; from a secondary source; not firsthand.
Usage- Figurative
- not-comparable
- Examples
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More examples (1)
In the light of recent history it is somewhat curious that this decisive power of the professional secondhand dealers in ideas should not yet be more generally recognized.
What's love got to do, got to do with it? / What's love but a secondhand emotion?
More examples (1)
So nearly every name comes from a second hand source. The exception to this rule has been the vigilantes themselves. Rube Mathis and Jack Wells, both admitted to participating, and Mathis identified his brother.
However, Partridge’s information is second-hand, and requires verification.
More examples (1)
The relation of Tristram's death is thus distanced from the narrative to which it belongs, and it is also distanced in that we do not see it happen with our own eyes, but hear of it by a second-hand report which introduces it incidentally, not for its own sake.
Inhaled from the air near someone else smoking.
Usage- not-comparable
- of cigarette or cigar smoke
- Examples
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exposure to secondhand smoke from cigarette-smoking colleagues
Noun
Secondhand goods (especially clothes) collectively.
Usage- Uncountable
- Examples
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More examples (1)
Childrenswear is now the fastest growing sector of secondhand. […] The huge increase in the market for childrenswear shows another way in which older generations are getting into secondhand.
Adverb
In a used or previously-owned condition.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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It was almost an article of faith with McEwen never to buy new if he could buy secondhand.
He glanced back at the Jeep, which he'd bought secondhand a dozen years ago and now, fifteen years old, was gaining on "classic" status.
Indirectly.
Usage- not-comparable
Adjective
derived from what is primary or original; not firsthand
- Examples
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a secondhand report
a secondhand account of a memory of something once read
More examples (1)
most of our knowledge is secondhand
previously used or owned by another
- Synonyms
- Examples
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bought a secondhand (or used) car
Adverb
by indirect means
- Examples
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I heard about it only secondhand or thirdhand
he prefers to buy secondhand