utilize

1 of 2

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

utilizer

2 of 2

noun

uti·​liz·​er

variants also British utiliser

-zə(r)

plural -s

: one that utilizes

Synonyms of utilize

Verb

• 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

Verb

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

Verb

Traditional data center power systems utilize multiple conversion stages to deliver electricity from the grid to servers. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026

Surplus food rescue is important, but restaurant kitchens, workers, and suppliers can be utilized to prepare nutritious meals for communities. — Matt Jozwiak, New York Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026

The 6-foot-2 Szudy utilized all of his physical gifts to withstand the Lions’ pressure. — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Astronomers continued to utilize Swift in the months since then, and only recently said their farewells to the intrepid, tenacious observatory. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

French utiliser, from utile

First Known Use

Verb

1807, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for utilize

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

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