utilize

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Alternative spellings 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Pronunciation 1.4 Verb 1.4.1 Usage notes 1.4.2 Synonyms 1.4.3 Derived terms 1.4.4 References

[edit] English

[edit] Alternative spellings

• utilise (Commonwealth English)

[edit] Etymology

From French utiliser, from Italian utilizzare, from utile (“‘useful’”), from Latin ūtilis, from ūtī (“‘use’”). See also -ize. Attested since between 1800 and 1810.^[1]

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈjuːtɨlaɪz/

[edit] Verb

to utilize (third-person singular simple present utilizes, present participle utilizing, simple past and past participle utilized)

1. To make use of.
2. To find a practical use for.
3. To make do with something not normally used for the purpose.^[2]
4. To use to its fullest extent, potential, or ability.
5. To take advantage of.

[edit] Usage notes

• Many style guides have advised against utilize and utilise, arguing that the simpler verb use is always preferable (and analogously, that the noun use is preferable to utilization and utilisation).^{[3] [4] [5] [6]}
• Some have argued that use and utilize, when used in American English are not quite synonymous, the latter having the additional implication of use outside a thing's intended purpose.^[2] By this argument, one can utilize a butter-knife to remove a flat-head screw, but a screwdriver can only be used for such. "Use" may also be more general whereas "utilize" may apply to profitable or practical use.^[7][8]

[edit] Synonyms

• exploit
• use
• employ

[edit] Derived terms

• utilization
• utilizable
• utilizer

[edit] References

• Notes:

1. ^ “utilize” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, v1.0.1, Lexico Publishing Group, 2006.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} T.A.R. Cheney, Getting the Words Right, Writer's Digest Books (1983).
3. ^ Sir Ernest Gowers 1965 The Complete Plain Words Oxford: Oxford University Press
4. ^ Eric Partridge 1973 Usage and Abusage: A Guide to Good English England: Penguin Books
5. ^ John E. Kahn (ed) 1985 The Right Word at the Right Time London:Readers Digest
6. ^ Pam Peters 1995 The Cambridge Australian English Style Guide Cambridge:Cambridge University Press
7. ^ “use” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, v1.0.1, Lexico Publishing Group, 2006.
8. ^ “utilize” in The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000.