hand-me-down
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Conversely, when brides were familiar with the story of the dress, like with a hand-me-down, they were far more positive about it and treated it more like treasure than a cursed item."
From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026
I grew up wearing my older brother’s and older sister’s hand-me-down clothes.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2025
It is one of the most deprived wards in the city and she recalls a childhood of hand-me-down clothes and poverty.
From BBC • Jan. 23, 2024
Their 15-year-old hand-me-down Toyota Auris, nicknamed Martina, needs replacing.
From Reuters • Nov. 13, 2023
She all but threw her hand-me-down messenger bag toward the desk, its contents spilling everywhere.
From "Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World" by Ashley Herring Blake
![]()