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” ( utile ) + -iser -ize

Example Sentences

Now the co-founder and CEO of data-analytics startup Hex Technologies, McCardel has deliberately chosen not to utilize FDEs.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

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

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

“Even if they can come up with a way to utilize AI to fight fires, people are always going to want that empathy from an actual human who actually cares during a moment of crisis.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

It’s still going to have that potential dynamic where they’ve been accused of leveraging their talent to get venues to utilize Ticketmaster.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

How might you utilize the music teacher in your school to enhance your lesson?

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

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