secondhand

[sek-uhnd-hand]

adjective

1. not directly known or experienced; obtained from others or from books.

   Most of our knowledge is secondhand.

2. previously used or owned.

   secondhand clothes.

3. dealing in previously used goods.

   a secondhand bookseller.

adverb

1. after another user or owner.

   He bought it secondhand.

2. indirectly; at second hand.

   He heard the news secondhand.

Other Word Forms

• secondhandedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of secondhand¹

First recorded in 1645–55; second ¹ + hand

Example Sentences

The bandmates dressed in secondhand suits that made them look posh to some and, perhaps more damningly, refused to flatten their class identity into something easily legible.

From Los Angeles Times

But Labubus can sell for double or triple their price on the secondhand market due to their popularity.

From Los Angeles Times

"I was not there. I didn't witness it with my own eyes. I heard about it through secondhand reporting. But again, we've moved on from that. The president has moved on from that."

From Salon

Do you choose not to support her book sales, but keep the editions you have, or buy secondhand copies that would support a local bookseller?

From Salon

And they collected all of their first-time parenting materials like cribs and strollers secondhand.

From Salon