Unused means not yet put to use or not being used at all. When something is unused, it remains in its original condition because no one has started working with it yet. A brand new notebook with blank pages is unused. Paint tubes that haven't been opened yet are unused supplies.

The word often suggests potential or opportunity. That unused art paper in your drawer could become tomorrow's masterpiece. The unused portion of your allowance might help you save up for something special. Sometimes people realize they have unused talents, abilities they possess but haven't developed or applied yet.

Unused is different from useless. Useless means something has no value or purpose, while unused simply means no one has taken advantage of it yet. An unused gift card still has value. An unused ticket to last week's concert, however, has become useless because the event has passed.

People sometimes let good things go unused out of forgetfulness, laziness, or saving them for a “special occasion” that never arrives. That fancy pen sitting unused in its box isn't helping anyone use it.