secondhand
ˈsɛkəndˌhænd
Definition Synonyms

Definition of secondhand - Reverso English Dictionary

Adverb

informationindirectly or through a secondary source
  • He heard the news secondhand from a friend.
indirectly secondarily

Adjective

1.
used itemspreviously used or owned by someone else
  • She bought a secondhand car to save money..
pre-owned used
2.
informationindirect, from a secondary source
  • She heard the news secondhand from a friend.
derivative indirect secondary
3.
smokeinhaled from the air near someone smoking
  • Secondhand smoke can be harmful to your health.
ambient involuntary passive
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Expressions with secondhand

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receive information indirectly from another person
I heard secondhand about the meeting from a friend.
feel embarrassed when seeing someone else's awkward moment
I felt secondhand embarrassment when he forgot his lines.
car previously owned by someone else
She bought a secondhand car to save money.
smoke inhaled by non-smokers from burning tobacco products
Many restaurants ban secondhand smoke to protect the health of their patrons.

Origin of secondhand

English, second (following) + hand (possession)

Terms with secondhand included in their meaning

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secondhand smoke
non-smoker breathing smoke from people smoking nearby
secondhand item
item previously used and passed to another
online content
content causing secondhand embarrassment
retail
store selling secondhand books
secondhand
report given by someone who heard it from another
secondhand dealing
place where previously issued or sold items change owners again
shopping
store selling secondhand goods, especially in Japan
dealer
person who sells rare or secondhand books

Examples of secondhand in a sentence

  • The story was passed secondhand from one neighbor to another.
  • He found a secondhand bike at the market.
  • They moved into a secondhand apartment.
  • He got secondhand information about the event.
  • The details were all secondhand, lacking firsthand confirmation.
  • Children are at risk from secondhand smoke exposure.

View all translations of secondhand

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:indirectement, d'occasion, ...
  2. German:indirekt, gebraucht, ...
  3. Italian:indirettamente, usato, ...
  4. Spanish:de segunda mano, usado, ...
  5. Portuguese:indiretamente, usado, ...
  6. Chinese:间接地, 二手的, ...
  7. Japanese:間接的に, 中古の, ...
  8. Arabic:عَنْ طَرِيقِ الغَيْرِ, مُسْتَعْمَل, ...
  9. Hebrew:מִמָּקוֹר שֵׁנִי, יַד שְׁנִיָּה, ...
  10. Russian:косвенно, подержанный, ...
  11. Ukrainian:з других рук, вживаний, ...
  12. Hindi:परोक्ष रूप से, पुराना, ...
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