diff --git a/src/mudlib/commands/__init__.py b/src/mudlib/commands/__init__.py
index 4f84bad..7508262 100644
--- a/src/mudlib/commands/__init__.py
+++ b/src/mudlib/commands/__init__.py
@@ -145,7 +145,24 @@ async def dispatch(player: Player, raw_input: str) -> None:
     result = resolve_prefix(command)
 
     if result is None:
-        # No matches
+        # No matches - try verb dispatch as fallback
+        if args:
+            from mudlib.verbs import find_object
+
+            # Split args into target name and any extra arguments
+            target_parts = args.split(maxsplit=1)
+            target_name = target_parts[0]
+            extra_args = target_parts[1] if len(target_parts) > 1 else ""
+
+            # Try to find the object
+            obj = find_object(target_name, player)
+            if obj is not None and obj.has_verb(command):
+                handler = obj.get_verb(command)
+                assert handler is not None  # has_verb checked above
+                await handler(player, extra_args)
+                return
+
+        # Still no match - show unknown command
         player.writer.write(f"Unknown command: {command}\r\n")
         await player.writer.drain()
         return
diff --git a/src/mudlib/commands/use.py b/src/mudlib/commands/use.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..93151dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/mudlib/commands/use.py
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+from mudlib.commands import CommandDefinition, register
+from mudlib.player import Player
+from mudlib.verbs import find_object
+
+
+async def cmd_use(player: Player, args: str) -> None:
+    """Use an object, optionally on a target."""
+    args = args.strip()
+
+    if not args:
+        await player.send("Use what?\r\n")
+        return
+
+    # Parse "use X on Y" syntax
+    if " on " in args:
+        parts = args.split(" on ", 1)
+        object_name = parts[0].strip()
+        target_args = parts[1].strip()
+    else:
+        object_name = args
+        target_args = ""
+
+    # Find the object
+    obj = find_object(object_name, player)
+    if not obj:
+        await player.send("You don't see that here.\r\n")
+        return
+
+    # Check if object has use verb
+    if not obj.has_verb("use"):
+        await player.send("You can't use that.\r\n")
+        return
+
+    # Call the use verb
+    use_handler = obj.get_verb("use")
+    assert use_handler is not None  # has_verb checked above
+    await use_handler(player, target_args)
+
+
+register(CommandDefinition("use", cmd_use, mode="*"))
diff --git a/src/mudlib/server.py b/src/mudlib/server.py
index e1bf713..529b78d 100644
--- a/src/mudlib/server.py
+++ b/src/mudlib/server.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import mudlib.commands.quit
 import mudlib.commands.reload
 import mudlib.commands.spawn
 import mudlib.commands.things
+import mudlib.commands.use
 from mudlib.caps import parse_mtts
 from mudlib.combat.commands import register_combat_commands
 from mudlib.combat.engine import process_combat
diff --git a/tests/test_use.py b/tests/test_use.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5d9048a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_use.py
@@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock
+
+import pytest
+
+from mudlib.commands.use import cmd_use
+from mudlib.player import Player
+from mudlib.thing import Thing
+from mudlib.verbs import verb
+from mudlib.zone import Zone
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def mock_writer():
+    writer = MagicMock()
+    writer.write = MagicMock()
+    writer.drain = AsyncMock()
+    return writer
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def mock_reader():
+    return MagicMock()
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def test_zone():
+    terrain = [["." for _ in range(10)] for _ in range(10)]
+    return Zone(name="testzone", width=10, height=10, terrain=terrain)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def player(mock_reader, mock_writer, test_zone):
+    return Player(
+        name="TestPlayer",
+        x=5,
+        y=5,
+        reader=mock_reader,
+        writer=mock_writer,
+        location=test_zone,
+    )
+
+
+def get_output(mock_writer):
+    """Extract all text written to the mock writer."""
+    return "".join(call[0][0] for call in mock_writer.write.call_args_list)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_use_no_args(player, mock_writer):
+    """use with no args should prompt for what to use"""
+    await cmd_use(player, "")
+    output = get_output(mock_writer)
+    assert "Use what?" in output
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_use_object_with_verb(player, mock_writer, test_zone):
+    """use rock should find rock with use verb and call it"""
+
+    class Rock(Thing):
+        @verb("use")
+        async def use_verb(self, player, args):
+            await player.send("You use the rock.\r\n")
+
+    _rock = Rock(
+        name="rock", description="a smooth rock", portable=True, location=test_zone
+    )
+    _rock.x = 5
+    _rock.y = 5
+
+    await cmd_use(player, "rock")
+    output = get_output(mock_writer)
+    assert "You use the rock." in output
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_use_object_without_verb(player, mock_writer, test_zone):
+    """use rock when rock has no use verb should give error"""
+    _rock = Thing(
+        name="rock", description="a smooth rock", portable=True, location=test_zone
+    )
+    _rock.x = 5
+    _rock.y = 5
+
+    await cmd_use(player, "rock")
+    output = get_output(mock_writer)
+    assert "You can't use that." in output
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_use_object_not_found(player, mock_writer):
+    """use flurb when nothing matches should give error"""
+    await cmd_use(player, "flurb")
+    output = get_output(mock_writer)
+    assert "You don't see that here." in output
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_use_object_on_target(player, mock_writer, test_zone):
+    """use key on chest should pass chest as args to verb"""
+
+    class Key(Thing):
+        @verb("use")
+        async def use_verb(self, player, args):
+            await player.send(f"You use the key on {args}.\r\n")
+
+    _key = Key(name="key", description="a brass key", portable=True, location=test_zone)
+    _key.x = 5
+    _key.y = 5
+
+    await cmd_use(player, "key on chest")
+    output = get_output(mock_writer)
+    assert "You use the key on chest." in output
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_use_object_on_nonexistent_target(player, mock_writer, test_zone):
+    """use key on flurb should still work, passing flurb to verb handler"""
+
+    class Key(Thing):
+        @verb("use")
+        async def use_verb(self, player, args):
+            await player.send(f"You use the key on {args}.\r\n")
+
+    _key = Key(name="key", description="a brass key", portable=True, location=test_zone)
+    _key.x = 5
+    _key.y = 5
+
+    await cmd_use(player, "key on flurb")
+    output = get_output(mock_writer)
+    assert "You use the key on flurb." in output
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_use_object_in_inventory(player, mock_writer):
+    """use should find objects in inventory"""
+
+    class Potion(Thing):
+        @verb("use")
+        async def use_verb(self, player, args):
+            await player.send("You drink the potion.\r\n")
+
+    _potion = Potion(
+        name="potion", description="a healing potion", portable=True, location=player
+    )
+
+    await cmd_use(player, "potion")
+    output = get_output(mock_writer)
+    assert "You drink the potion." in output
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_use_passes_correct_args(player, mock_writer, test_zone):
+    """verify verb handler receives correct args string"""
+    received_args = None
+
+    class Tool(Thing):
+        @verb("use")
+        async def use_verb(self, player, args):
+            nonlocal received_args
+            received_args = args
+            await player.send(f"Used with args: '{args}'\r\n")
+
+    _tool = Tool(
+        name="tool", description="a multi-tool", portable=True, location=test_zone
+    )
+    _tool.x = 5
+    _tool.y = 5
+
+    # Test with no target
+    await cmd_use(player, "tool")
+    assert received_args == ""
+
+    # Reset writer
+    mock_writer.write.reset_mock()
+    received_args = None
+
+    # Test with target
+    await cmd_use(player, "tool on something")
+    assert received_args == "something"
diff --git a/tests/test_verb_dispatch.py b/tests/test_verb_dispatch.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..53110e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_verb_dispatch.py
@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+"""Tests for verb dispatch fallback in command system."""
+
+from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock
+
+import pytest
+
+from mudlib.commands import dispatch
+from mudlib.player import Player
+from mudlib.thing import Thing
+from mudlib.verbs import verb
+from mudlib.zone import Zone
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def mock_writer():
+    writer = MagicMock()
+    writer.write = MagicMock()
+    writer.drain = AsyncMock()
+    return writer
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def mock_reader():
+    return MagicMock()
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def test_zone():
+    terrain = [["." for _ in range(10)] for _ in range(10)]
+    return Zone(name="testzone", width=10, height=10, terrain=terrain)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def player(mock_reader, mock_writer, test_zone):
+    return Player(
+        name="TestPlayer",
+        x=5,
+        y=5,
+        reader=mock_reader,
+        writer=mock_writer,
+        location=test_zone,
+    )
+
+
+class Fountain(Thing):
+    """Test object with drink verb."""
+
+    @verb("drink")
+    async def drink(self, player, args):
+        await player.send("You drink from the fountain.\r\n")
+
+    @verb("splash")
+    async def splash(self, player, args):
+        await player.send(f"You splash the fountain{' ' + args if args else ''}.\r\n")
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_verb_dispatch_simple(player, test_zone):
+    """Test 'drink fountain' dispatches to fountain's drink verb."""
+    _fountain = Fountain(
+        name="fountain",
+        description="a stone fountain",
+        portable=False,
+        location=test_zone,
+        x=5,
+        y=5,
+    )
+
+    await dispatch(player, "drink fountain")
+
+    player.writer.write.assert_called_once_with("You drink from the fountain.\r\n")
+    player.writer.drain.assert_awaited_once()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_verb_dispatch_with_extra_args(player, test_zone):
+    """Test 'splash fountain hard' passes 'hard' as extra args."""
+    _fountain = Fountain(
+        name="fountain",
+        description="a stone fountain",
+        portable=False,
+        location=test_zone,
+        x=5,
+        y=5,
+    )
+
+    await dispatch(player, "splash fountain hard")
+
+    player.writer.write.assert_called_once_with("You splash the fountain hard.\r\n")
+    player.writer.drain.assert_awaited_once()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_verb_dispatch_object_lacks_verb(player, test_zone):
+    """Test 'drink rock' fails if rock doesn't have drink verb."""
+    _rock = Thing(
+        name="rock",
+        description="a plain rock",
+        portable=True,
+        location=test_zone,
+        x=5,
+        y=5,
+    )
+
+    await dispatch(player, "drink rock")
+
+    player.writer.write.assert_called_once_with("Unknown command: drink\r\n")
+    player.writer.drain.assert_awaited_once()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_verb_dispatch_object_not_found(player, test_zone):
+    """Test 'drink flurb' fails if flurb doesn't exist."""
+    await dispatch(player, "drink flurb")
+
+    player.writer.write.assert_called_once_with("Unknown command: drink\r\n")
+    player.writer.drain.assert_awaited_once()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_verb_dispatch_no_args(player, test_zone):
+    """Test 'drink' with no args doesn't try verb dispatch."""
+    await dispatch(player, "drink")
+
+    player.writer.write.assert_called_once_with("Unknown command: drink\r\n")
+    player.writer.drain.assert_awaited_once()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_verb_dispatch_doesnt_intercept_real_commands(player, test_zone):
+    """Test that verb dispatch doesn't interfere with registered commands."""
+    from mudlib.commands import CommandDefinition, register, unregister
+
+    called = False
+
+    async def test_command(player, args):
+        nonlocal called
+        called = True
+        await player.send("Real command executed.\r\n")
+
+    register(CommandDefinition("test", test_command))
+    try:
+        await dispatch(player, "test something")
+        assert called
+        player.writer.write.assert_called_once_with("Real command executed.\r\n")
+    finally:
+        unregister("test")
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_verb_dispatch_finds_inventory_object(player, test_zone):
+    """Test verb dispatch finds object in inventory."""
+
+    class Potion(Thing):
+        @verb("drink")
+        async def drink(self, player, args):
+            await player.send("You drink the potion.\r\n")
+
+    _potion = Potion(
+        name="potion",
+        description="a health potion",
+        portable=True,
+        location=player,
+    )
+
+    await dispatch(player, "drink potion")
+
+    player.writer.write.assert_called_once_with("You drink the potion.\r\n")
+    player.writer.drain.assert_awaited_once()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_verb_dispatch_doesnt_fire_on_ambiguous_command(player, test_zone):
+    """Test verb dispatch doesn't fire when command is ambiguous."""
+    from mudlib.commands import CommandDefinition, register, unregister
+
+    async def test_one(player, args):
+        await player.send("test one\r\n")
+
+    async def test_two(player, args):
+        await player.send("test two\r\n")
+
+    register(CommandDefinition("testone", test_one))
+    register(CommandDefinition("testtwo", test_two))
+    try:
+        # "test" matches both testone and testtwo
+        await dispatch(player, "test something")
+
+        # Should get ambiguous command message, not verb dispatch
+        written_text = player.writer.write.call_args[0][0].lower()
+        # The ambiguous message is "testone or testtwo?" not "ambiguous"
+        assert "or" in written_text and "?" in written_text
+    finally:
+        unregister("testone")
+        unregister("testtwo")