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utilize

 [yoot-l-ahyz]   Origin

u·ti·lize

   [yoot-l-ahyz]
verb (used with object), -lized, -liz·ing.
to put to use; turn to profitable account: to utilize a stream to power a mill.
Also, especially British, u·ti·lise.

Origin:
1800–10; < French utiliser, equivalent to utile useful (see utile) + -iser -ize

Related forms
u·ti·liz·a·ble, adjective
u·ti·li·za·tion, noun
u·ti·liz·er, noun
half-u·til·ized, adjective
mis·u·ti·li·za·tion, noun
EXPAND
non·u·til·i·za·tion, noun
non·u·til·ized, adjective
o·ver·u·ti·li·za·tion, noun
o·ver·u·ti·lize, verb (used with object), -lized, -liz·ing.
pre·u·ti·liz·a·ble, adjective
pre·u·ti·li·za·tion, noun
pre·u·ti·lize, verb (used with object), -lized, -liz·ing.
qua·si-u·ti·lized, adjective
re·u·ti·li·za·tion, noun
re·u·ti·lize, verb (used with object), -lized, -liz·ing.
un·der·u·ti·lized, adjective
un·u·ti·liz·a·ble, adjective
un·u·ti·lized, adjective
well-u·ti·lized, adjective
COLLAPSE

Can be confused: use, usage, utilize (see usage note at usage; see synonym note at use).

Synonyms
See use.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Utilize is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
to spend time idly; loaf.
to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax.
LEARN MORE FUN, UNUSUAL VERBS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Collins
World English Dictionary
utilize or utilise (ˈjuːtɪˌlaɪz)
 
—vb
(tr) to make practical or worthwhile use of
 
utilise or utilise
 
—vb
 
'utilizable or utilise
 
—adj
 
'utilisable or utilise
 
—adj
 
utili'zation or utilise
 
—n
 
utili'sation or utilise
 
—n
 
'utilizer or utilise
 
—n
 
'utiliser or utilise
 
—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

utilize
1807, from Fr. utiliser, from It. utilizzare, from utile "usable," from L. utilis "usable," from uti (see use). Utilization is first attested 1847.
EXPAND
"Utilize is fast antiquating improve, in the sense of 'turn to account.' " [Fitzedward Hall, "Modern English," 1873]
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
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