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utilize

[yoot-l-ahyz]
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verb (used with object), u·ti·lized, u·ti·liz·ing.
  1. to put to use; turn to profitable account: to utilize a stream to power a mill.
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Also especially British, u·ti·lise.

Origin of utilize

1800–10; < French utiliser, equivalent to utile useful (see utile) + -iser -ize
Related formsu·ti·liz·a·ble, adjectiveu·ti·li·za·tion, nounu·ti·liz·er, nounhalf-u·til·ized, adjectivemis·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)

Synonyms

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See use.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for utilise

Historical Examples

  • Women have to learn to utilise every advantage of their nature, not one side only.

    The Truth About Woman

    C. Gasquoine Hartley

  • They are studies that I intend to utilise in a large picture I am preparing.

    Therese Raquin

    Emile Zola

  • They have been helped on all sides, but they will not utilise their advantages.

    Ireland as It Is

    Robert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)

  • For this reason it is best to utilise the centre of the field only.

    On Laboratory Arts

    Richard Threlfall

  • A strong, healthy-minded man could not utilise her best qualities.

British Dictionary definitions for utilise

utilize

utilise

verb
  1. (tr) to make practical or worthwhile use of
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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]
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper