# abuse

> English word · Noun · IPA /əˈbjuːs/ · frequency rank #2,190

## Definitions
1. Improper treatment or usage; application to a wrong or bad purpose; an unjust, corrupt or wrongful practice or custom.
2. Misuse; improper use; perversion.
3. A delusion; an imposture; misrepresentation; deception.
4. Coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; language that unjustly or angrily vilifies.
5. Catachresis.
6. Physical maltreatment; injury; cruel treatment.
7. Violation; defilement; rape; forcing of undesired sexual activity by one person on another, often on a repeated basis.

## Etymology
From Middle English abusen, then from either Old French abus (“improper use”), or from Latin abūsus (“misused, using up”), perfect active participle of abūtor (“make improper use of, consume, abuse”), from ab (“away”) + ūtor (“to use”). Equivalent to ab- + use.

## Easily confused with
- **arse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-arse)
- **anus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-anus)
- **Aust** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-aust)
- **acute** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-acute)
- **arise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-arise)
- **arose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-arose)
- **abyss** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-abyss)
- **azure** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-azure)
- **amuse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-amuse)
- **anise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-anise)
- **abused** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-abused)
- **accuse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-accuse)
- **abuses** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-abuses)
- **ambush** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-ambush)
- **amused** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-amused)
- **abuser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-abuser)
- **arouse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-arouse)
- **amuses** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-amuses)
- **abusive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abuse-vs-abusive)
- **Abu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abu-vs-abuse)

## Common misspellings (6)
`abbuse`, `absue`, `abues`, `abusse`, `aubse`, `bause`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/abuse