diff --git a/lib/Pool.js b/lib/Pool.js
index 0a006dd..94ed154 100644
--- a/lib/Pool.js
+++ b/lib/Pool.js
@@ -471,13 +471,31 @@ class Pool extends EventEmitter {
   }
 
   /**
-   * [use method, aquires a resource, passes the resource to a user supplied function and releases it]
-   * @param  {Function} fn [a function that accepts a resource and returns a promise that resolves/rejects once it has finished using the resource]
+   * [use method, acquires a resource, passes the resource to a user supplied function and releases it]
+   * @param  {Function} fn [a function that accepts a resource. If the function returns a Promise (anything then-able), the resource is released when the Promise resolves/rejects. Otherwise, the resource is released immediately after execution.]
    * @return {Promise}      [resolves once the resource is released to the pool]
    */
   use(fn, priority) {
     return this.acquire(priority).then(resource => {
-      return fn(resource).then(
+      let wrappedFnResult;
+      try {
+        const fnResult = fn(resource);
+        // if fnResult is not then-able, wrap it in a resolved Promise.
+        if (
+          typeof fnResult !== "object" ||
+          fnResult === null ||
+          !("then" in fnResult)
+        ) {
+          wrappedFnResult = Promise.resolve(fnResult);
+        } else {
+          wrappedFnResult = fnResult;
+        }
+      } catch (e) {
+        // if fn throws synchronously, turn the exception into a rejected Promise.
+        wrappedFnResult = Promise.reject(e);
+      }
+
+      return wrappedFnResult.then(
         result => {
           this.release(resource);
           return result;
diff --git a/test/generic-pool-test.js b/test/generic-pool-test.js
index baaddfb..0b262c2 100644
--- a/test/generic-pool-test.js
+++ b/test/generic-pool-test.js
@@ -790,6 +790,34 @@ tap.test("use method should resolve after fn promise is resolved", function(t) {
   });
 });
 
+tap.test("use method should handle synchronous work functions", function(t) {
+  const pool = createPool(new ResourceFactory());
+  const initialBorrowed = pool.borrowed;
+  const result = pool.use(resource => {
+    t.equal(initialBorrowed + 1, pool.borrowed);
+    return resource.id;
+  });
+  result.then(val => {
+    t.equal(val, 0);
+    t.equal(initialBorrowed, pool.borrowed);
+    t.end();
+  });
+});
+
+tap.test("use method should handle synchronous throws", function(t) {
+  const pool = createPool(new ResourceFactory());
+  const initialBorrowed = pool.borrowed;
+  const result = pool.use(resource => {
+    t.equal(initialBorrowed + 1, pool.borrowed);
+    throw new Error("expected");
+  });
+  result.catch(e => {
+    t.equal(initialBorrowed, pool.borrowed);
+    t.equal(e.message, "expected");
+    t.end();
+  });
+});
+
 tap.test("evictor should not run when softIdleTimeoutMillis is -1", function(
   t
 ) {