Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

utilize

American  
[yoot-l-ahyz] / ˈyut lˌaɪz /
especially British, utilise

verb (used with object)

utilized, utilizing
  1. to put to use; turn to profitable account.

    to utilize a stream to power a mill.


utilize British  
/ ˈjuːtɪˌlaɪz /

verb

  1. (tr) to make practical or worthwhile use of

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What is another way to say utilize? To utilize something is to put it to use or turn it to profitable account. How is utilize different from use? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.

Other Word Forms

  • half-utilized adjective
  • nonutilized adjective
  • overutilize verb (used with object)
  • preutilizable adjective
  • preutilize verb (used with object)
  • quasi-utilized adjective
  • reutilize verb (used with object)
  • underutilized adjective
  • unutilizable adjective
  • unutilized adjective
  • utilizable adjective
  • utilization noun
  • utilizer noun
  • well-utilized adjective

Etymology

Origin of utilize

First recorded in 1800–10; from French utiliser, equivalent to utile “useful” ( utile ) + -iser -ize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There are computers that are starting to utilize artificial intelligence that will soon be moving so fast that they will only be able to guide themselves.

From Los Angeles Times

A key driver of SpaceX’s $1.3 trillion valuation is its plan to build AI data centers in space, utilizing unlimited solar power.

From Barron's

Because of this, solar cells can only utilize about one-third of incoming sunlight.

From Science Daily

Larger facilities would need improved wastewater capabilities, but DHS said that “there are numerous solutions which will be implemented to utilize the existing infrastructure.”

From The Wall Street Journal

With “Alpha,” she once again utilizes a coming-of-age narrative to probe the fragility and malleability of our physical selves.

From Los Angeles Times