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

---

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

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 • Mar. 30, 2026

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

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

Anthropic announced a new update on Monday that allows its AI agent Claude to utilize a user’s computer to complete tasks.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

The Big Tech giants joined a coalition that aims to work with U.S. lawmakers and regulators to utilize more of the electric grid and lower costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

It is a protective coloration children utilize for their safety.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• apply
• appropriate
• employ
• exploit
• handle
• promote
• resort to
• take advantage of