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

Those vignettes had been utilized in many prior studies involving human subjects. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025

He'll also be utilized in a role that keeps McCaffrey fresh and healthy throughout the year. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025

The general, who served as Shagan's commanding officer in Belize, harnesses the soldier's anger and utilizes it for his own purposes by helping to fund and organize the kidnapping and blackmail plots executed by Shagan. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025

To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page. —Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 22 Aug. 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