SECONDHAND

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does secondhand mean? 

• SECONDHAND (adjective)
  The adjective SECONDHAND has 2 senses:

1. derived from what is primary or original; not firsthand

2. previously used or owned by another

  Familiarity information: SECONDHAND used as an adjective is rare.

• SECONDHAND (adverb)
  The adverb SECONDHAND has 1 sense:

1. by indirect means

  Familiarity information: SECONDHAND used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SECONDHAND (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Derived from what is primary or original; not firsthand

Context example:

most of our knowledge is secondhand

Similar:

secondary (being of second rank or importance or value; not direct or immediate)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Previously used or owned by another

Synonyms:

secondhand; used

Context example:

bought a secondhand (or used) car

Similar:

old (of long duration; not new)

• SECONDHAND (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

By indirect means

Context example:

he prefers to buy secondhand

Pertainym:

secondhand (derived from what is primary or original; not firsthand)

 Context examples 

Smoking cigarettes, being exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke, drinking alcohol, and taking certain drugs during pregnancy can increase the risk of having an infant with a low birth weight.

(Low birth weight, NCI Dictionary)

Also called environmental tobacco smoke and secondhand smoke.

(ETS, NCI Dictionary)

Also called ETS and secondhand smoke.

(Environmental tobacco smoke, NCI Dictionary)

Check secondhand furniture for any signs of bedbugs before bringing it home.

(Bedbugs, Environmental Protection Agency)

It may also be caused by smoking tobacco or by breathing in secondhand tobacco smoke over a long period of time.

(Chronic cough, NCI Dictionary)

Lung disorders may be caused by infection, by smoking tobacco, or by breathing in secondhand tobacco smoke, radon, asbestos, or other forms of air pollution.

(Lung disorder, NCI Dictionary)

CLD may be caused by smoking tobacco or by breathing in secondhand tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, dust, or other forms of air pollution.

(CLD, NCI Dictionary)

It may also be caused by infection or by breathing in secondhand tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, or other forms of air pollution.

(Chronic Bronchitis, NCI Dictionary)

Chronic lung disease may be caused by smoking tobacco or by breathing in secondhand tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, dust, or other forms of air pollution.

(Chronic lung disease, NCI Dictionary)