utilize

verb

uti·​lize ˈyü-tə-ˌlīz 

utilized; utilizing

transitive verb

: to make use of : turn to practical use or account

I'm a great person for utilizing waste power

—Robert Frost

utilizable

ˈyü-tə-ˌlī-zə-bəl 

adjective

utilization

ˌyü-tə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

utilizer

ˈyü-tə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

Synonyms

• use
• apply
• exploit
• employ

Choose the Right Synonym for utilize

use, employ, utilize mean to put into service especially to attain an end.

use implies availing oneself of something as a means or instrument to an end.

willing to use any means to achieve her ends

employ suggests the use of a person or thing that is available but idle, inactive, or disengaged.

looking for better ways to employ their skills

utilize may suggest the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for something.

an old wooden bucket utilized as a planter

Examples of utilize in a Sentence

Many of the library's resources are not utilized by townspeople.

we must utilize all the tools at our disposal

Recent Examples on the Web

The church also proposed adding space for hydroponic farming that would supply produce for the community and terrace farming that could be utilized by the residents. —Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025

While speaking at Dreamforce, CEO Brian Niccol spoke about how the company has begun to utilize artificial intelligence and even addressed concerns about fully robotic coffee shops. —Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025

The review will not impact the senior tax freeze program, which thousands of Jackson County residents 62 and older have utilized to freeze their residential property taxes at their 2024 or 2025 rates. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025

Rather than following a single process like many other distilleries, Yamazaki creates a variety of styles by utilizing different production techniques. —Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French utiliser, from utile

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for utilize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

utilize

verb

uti·​lize ˈyüt-ᵊl-ˌīz 

utilized; utilizing

: to make use of especially for a certain job

utilization

ˌyüt-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun