1
: put in use by one person or group after being used, discarded, or handed down by another
hand-me-down clothes
hand-me-down anecdotes
2
: ready-made and usually cheap and shoddy
hand-me-down noun

Examples of hand-me-down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recently, my friend told me that her best friend was offended that she wasn’t given these hand-me-downs instead of me. Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024 Sure to last for years and years, this is the ultimate hand-me-down. Toby Rose, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024 The brand has been a favorite PJ brand among parents for decades because of its incredible durable material, elevated and classic designs, and multiple hand-me-down potential (seriously these clothes can withstand multiple kids). Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2024 Robert Brook | Corbis | Getty Images My mattress — a queen-sized hand-me-down from family and probably close to two decades old — was in desperate need of replacement. Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hand-me-down 

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hand-me-down was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near hand-me-down

Cite this Entry

“Hand-me-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand-me-down. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

hand-me-down

adjective
ˈhan(d)-mē-ˌdau̇n
: put in use by one person or group after being used, discarded, or handed down by another
hand-me-down noun

More from Merriam-Webster on hand-me-down

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!