rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryusageCustomary use
noun

usage

YOO-sij/ˈjuːsɪdʒ/

The customary way something, especially a word or phrase, is used.

The repeated handshakes reflect the community's customary usage for greeting others.

Two adults greet each other with a customary handshake while neighbors do likewise, accepted social usage, no speech text.
Etymology
usLatinuse, custom
+ageOld Frenchpractice or action

The base meant both “use” and “custom,” and usage originally named an established practice. Applied to language, it names the customary ways people employ words and phrases.

In context

COERLL29:50
students can piece it together even with this metaphorical uh usage of language because using very simple language and grammar but including grammatical metaphors
FLLITE Webinar 1: Introduction to Foreign Languages and the Literary in the Everyday (FLLITE)

More examples

  • In everyday usage, 'kids' simply means children.
  • The guide compares formal and informal usages of the phrase.
  • Usage changes as new expressions become common.

Forms

usage · usages

use verb — To employ something for a purpose.

Similar words

convention
Convention emphasizes shared expectations rather than how something is used.
custom
Custom usually concerns habitual behavior rather than language choices.