utilize

[ yoot-l-ahyz ]

See synonyms for: utilize utilized utilizes utilizing on Thesaurus.com

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.

Origin of utilize

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

Also especially British, u·ti·lise .

Other words from utilize

u·ti·liz·a·ble, adjective
u·ti·li·za·tion [yoot-l-ahy-zey-shuhn], /ˌyut l aɪˈzeɪ ʃən/, noun
u·ti·liz·er, noun
half·-u·til·ized, adjective
non·u·til·ized, adjective
o·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, adjective
pre·u·ti·lize, verb (used with object), pre·u·ti·lized, pre·u·ti·liz·ing.
qua·si-u·ti·lized, adjective
re·u·ti·lize, verb (used with object), re·u·ti·lized, re·u·ti·liz·ing.
un·der·u·ti·lized, adjective
un·u·ti·liz·a·ble, adjective
un·u·ti·lized, adjective
well-u·ti·lized, adjective

Words that may be confused with utilize

use, utilize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use utilize in a sentence

In English archaic writings the instances in which the mention of the Satanic power is thus utilised are not numerous.
A Cursory History of Swearing | Julian Sharman
Freud39 maintains that voluntary retention of the fæces is utilised for this purpose, but this appears to me very doubtful.
The Sexual Life of the Child | Albert Moll
Meanwhile fuel ran short; bulkheads and spars had to be utilised; our ship reduced to skeleton state.
Recollections of Thirty-nine Years in the Army | Charles Alexander Gordon
The foreign population lived in chops or hulks of Chinese junks; others were utilised as offices and merchants stores.
Recollections of Thirty-nine Years in the Army | Charles Alexander Gordon
This rapport was utilised in magic for the behoof of these objects, and for the good of the tribe, which is singularly solidaire.
The Secret of the Totem | Andrew Lang

British Dictionary definitions for utilize

utilize

utilise

/ (ˈjuːtɪˌlaɪz) /

verb

(tr) to make practical or worthwhile use of

Derived forms of utilize

utilizable or utilisable, adjective
utilization or utilisation, noun
utilizer 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

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