Utilise
verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 To make use of; to use. UK
"The bodywork employs, where possible, the same constructional methods as for the standard B.R. coaching stock, in order to utilise existing jigs and press tools."
- 2 put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose wordnet
- 3 To make useful; to find a practical use for. UK
- 4 To make best use of; to use to its fullest extent, potential, or ability. UK
"Since then we have had the opportunity to travel in them and were much impressed by the internal styling and comfort of the seating (with the minor exception of the single seats which have been tucked in longitudinally alongside some of the entrance vestibules and which are so cramped that only the slimmest of female figures could be comfortable in them; the space they occupy would have been better utilised to increase standing room)."
- 5 To make do with; to use in manner different from that originally intended UK
Example
More examples"As science advances as some describe it, into itself, - by creating technology which is then subsequently of a higher complexity than the ideas it is to help explain - complications often can arise, such as a need for higher education for those who utilise it. This may not be a negative complication in itself, but gives rise to another problem: that this causes education about the subject's fundamentals to be sacrificed for the training in the utilisation of ever changing technology."
Etymology
From French utiliser, from Italian utilizzare, from utile (“useful”), from Latin ūtilis, from ūtī (“use”). Attested c. 1810.
Related phrases
More for "utilise"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.