used for a bad purpose: There was widespread abuse of power. I drug abuse
USED TO/ ACCUSTOMED TO
when something seems normal to you because you have often done
it or experienced it before
^ if you mean 'did something regularly in the past', go to past 2
used to something
be used to sth /bi: ju:st tu: (sth); if you are used to something, you have often done it or experienced it before, so it does not seem strange, new, or difficult to you be used to doing sth She's used to getting up early because she lives on a farm.
be used to sth At first Omar hated the rain in England but he's used to it now. get used to (doing) sth Mary never really got used to living on her own after her husband died. I It's quite a simple system - you'll soon get used to it.
Д Don't confuse | used to do it (=1 regularly did it in the past, but I don't do it
A
now) and I am used to doing it (=1 often do it, so it doesn't seem unusual to me): When I worked on a farm. I used to get up early every day. t I work on a farm, ю I'm used to getting up early.
Don't say 'I am used to do this'. Say I am used to doing this: I'm used to making all my own food.
be accustomed to sth /bi: э kAstomd
tu: (sth)/ formal to be used to something, especially because it is a normal part of your life: Zara was accustomed to a life of luxury.
be accustomed to doing sth Larry remained completely relaxed - he was accustomed to dealing with difficult customers.
become/grow accustomed to sth After a time, she became accustomed to all the media attention.
adjust to Sth /s'd3Ast tu: (sth)/ \phrasal
verb T] to gradually get used to a new situation, by changing your attitudes or the way you do things: It took us a while to adjust to the tropical climate. I Some ofthe staff found it hard to adjust to all the changes in technology and working methods.
settle in /setl in/ [phrasal verb I] to gradually get used to a new place or a new way of life, so that you feel relaxed and confident: Paul never really settled in at his last school.
settle into stH It didn't take Charlie long to settle into his new job.
/amiliar /fa'milisv [adj\ a familiar place,
idea, situation etc is one that you are used to and that you know well; It was good to be back in familiar surroundings. I the familiar sounds of home + to This kind of problem will be familiar to many married couples.
a not used to something
not be used to Sth /not bi: ju:st tu: (sth)/ I'm still not used to the new computer system.
not be used to doing sth Jane wasn't used to having so much money, and she didn't know what to do with it.
be unaccustomed to sth bi: лпэ-
'kAstsmd tu: (sth)/ formal to not be used to something, especially when this makes you annoyed or worried: Curtis ioas a country boy, unaccustomed to city life. be unaccustomed to doing sth Teachers may be unaccustomed to having their teaching methods criticised.
un/amiliar /.AnfVmilia^/ [adj] an unfamiliar place, idea, situation etc is
one that you are not used to or do not know much about: the unfamiliar experience of driving on the left-hand side of the road 1 a new place, with all its unfamiliar sounds and smells + to Some of these expressions may be unfamiliar to your students.
strange /streinds/ [adj only before noun] а strange country, food, custom etc is one that you are not used to because you have never been there before, experienced it before etc, and this may make you feel anxious: The strange food made her ill. I
She wqs all alone in a strange city.
USEFUL/ NOT USEFUL
see also convenient/not
convenient 2
II useful
useful /'ju:sf>l/ [adj] something that is useful makes it easier for you to do something or to get something: See page 35
for a list of useful addresses. I The bank gave us a lot of useful advice about starting our own business. I a useful skill use/ul for doing sth Scotch tape is very useful for making quick repairs. + to information that may be useful to
the enemy
Qcomf in use/ul spoken (=be useful in а particular situation) Keep the rest of the paper - it might come in useful later.
handy /'haendi/ [adj] informal useful and easy to use: a handy chart for converting pounds into kilos I This handy booklet tells you everything you need to know about getting connected to the Internet, handy for doing sth There's a special brush, which is handy for cleaning the stairs.
Qcome in handy spoken (=be useful in а particular situation) Bring a sleeping bag - it might come in handy.
practical /'praektibl/ [adj] designed to be useful rather than attractive - use this especially about clothes and things you use
in your house: a type of floor covering
that is simple, practical, and cheap
Qbe good for sth /bi: gud fo:r (sth);
especially spoken to be suitable and useful for a particular job or purpose: The old table does take up a lot of space, but it's good for parties.
be good for doing sth The big jars are good for storing pasta.
invaluable /in'vaeljuatot, -jHbl||in'vaeljcjbpl [adj] formal extremely useful - use this about something that you are very pleased to have because it will help you a lot, for example someone's advice or help: Thank you, your advice has been invaluable. \ My six months at IBM gave me invaluable
experience of the computer business.
versatile /'v3:s9tar 1J'V3irs3t 1 / [adj] something that is versatile can be used in a lot of different ways: Eggs are good value for money and so versatile. I a versatile blue cotton jacket