utilize

[ yoot-l-ahyz ]

/ ˈyut lˌaɪz /

verb (used with object), u·ti·lized, u·ti·liz·ing.

to put to use; turn to profitable account: to utilize a stream to power a mill.

Nearby words

Also especially British, u·ti·lise.

Origin of utilize

1800–10; < French utiliser, equivalent to utile useful (see utile) + -iser -ize

SYNONYMS FOR utilize

See use.

Related forms

u·ti·liz·a·ble, adjectiveu·ti·li·za·tion, nounu·ti·liz·er, nounhalf-u·til·ized, adjective

mis·u·ti·li·za·tion, nounnon·u·til·i·za·tion, nounnon·u·til·ized, adjectiveo·ver·u·ti·li·za·tion, nouno·ver·u·ti·lize, verb (used with object), o·ver·u·ti·lized, o·ver·u·ti·liz·ing.pre·u·ti·liz·a·ble, adjectivepre·u·ti·li·za·tion, nounpre·u·ti·lize, verb (used with object), pre·u·ti·lized, pre·u·ti·liz·ing.qua·si-u·ti·lized, adjectivere·u·ti·li·za·tion, nounre·u·ti·lize, verb (used with object), re·u·ti·lized, re·u·ti·liz·ing.un·der·u·ti·lized, adjectiveun·u·ti·liz·a·ble, adjectiveun·u·ti·lized, adjectivewell-u·ti·lized, adjective

Can be confuseduse usage utilize (see usage note at usage) (see synonym study at use)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for utilise

I may say that, with the aid of Dr. Mahomed, I am endeavouring to utilise this process to elicit the physiognomy of disease.
Inquiries into Human Faculty and Its Development|Francis Galton
The Duke of Norfolk's house, with the outbuildings, stables and farmyard, were the materials which the governors had to utilise.
Memorials of Old London|Various
The cupboard to which Miss Trim had been sent was an angular one, let into the wall to utilise a crooked corner.
The Red Man's Revenge|R.M. Ballantyne
Oh, if he could only utilise such strength in a more worthy cause, how much might be accomplished.
The Chief of the Ranges|H. A. Cody

The best thing we can do is to utilise the Tunnel, pour into France, and stay there!
Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 101, December 5, 1891|Various

British Dictionary definitions for utilise

utilize

utilise

/ (ˈjuːtɪˌlaɪz) /

verb

(tr) to make practical or worthwhile use of

Derived Formsutilizable or utilisable, adjectiveutilization or utilisation, nounutilizer or utiliser, noun

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

Word Origin and History for utilise

utilize

1807, from French utiliser, from Italian utilizzare, from utile "usable," from Latin utilis "usable," from uti (see use (v.)).

Utilize is fast antiquating improve, in the sense of 'turn to account.' [Fitzedward Hall, "Modern English," 1873]