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.

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utilize British  

/ ˈjuːtɪˌlaɪz /

verb

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

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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” ( see utile) + -iser -ize

Explanation

To utilize is to use what you have or what's available, and it's a three-syllable word meaning the same thing as the one-syllable "use." The word utilize is often a more formal way to express "putting something to use." If you don’t have time to go to the store but you need to come up with a science project, you might utilize what's already in the kitchen. Most of the time you can use the verb use as a synonym for utilize. You can utilize a shorter word to make a sentence easier to read.

Example Sentences

“Cybersecurity will need to utilize AI, because AI is being used by cybercriminals,” Arnie Bellini, a tech entrepreneur and the chair of cybersecurity firm ConnectSecure, told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

If you’re dealt strength or drive or creativity, your ability to fully utilize it matters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

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

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

In his experience, officials generally utilize only the geographically targeted cellphone alerts, known as wireless emergency alerts, when there’s an extreme threat, Ghilarducci said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

While modern continental peoples included ones dependent on stone tools, as were Polynesians, South America also spawned societies expert in using precious metals, and Eurasians and Africans went on to utilize iron.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

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