Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb To make useful, to find a practical use for.
  • verb To make use of; to use.
  • verb To make best use of; to use to its fullest extent, potential, or ability.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From French utiliser, from Italian utilizzare, from utile ("useful"), from Latin ūtilis, from ūtī ("use"). Attested c. 1810.

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Examples

  • Development must be integrated and sustainable, that is to say utilise our resources to satisfy present needs without compromising the needs of future generations.

    Mayibuye Editorial 1995

  • The inordinate jealousy Italians have of foreigners, and their fear lest they should "utilise" Italy, and carry away all her wealth with them, has been the source of innumerable mistakes.

    Cornelius O'Dowd Upon Men And Women And Other Things In General Charles James Lever 1839

  • When you use 'utilise' you're telling me that you're throwing flowers at a bad idea in the hope that I will go 'ooh, nice flowers' instead of 'ooh, bad idea'.

    Feeds4all documents in category 'SEO' 2008

  • When you use 'utilise' you're telling me that you're throwing flowers at a bad idea in the hope that I will go 'ooh, nice flowers' instead of 'ooh, bad idea'.

    Planet GNOME 2008

  • Fully utilise e-commerce – Some AEC businesses, particularly those involved with supplying products and materials, have already embraced e-commerce, but there must be scope for other AEC businesses to offer either existing or new services over the web.

    The internet as a lifeline for SMEs « pwcom 2.0 2009

  • We spoke before the tournament about the need to utilise our squad over these opening two games given the proximity of the fixtures and that is what we have done.

    Scotland ring changes ahead of World Cup match against Georgia 2011

  • In the recently launched, National Mission on Education through ICT, they say that, "The peer group assisted content development would utilise the Wikipedia type of collaborative platform under the supervision of a content advisory committee responsible for vetting the content."

    Collaborative Innovation Video Venky 2009

  • Innovation nevertheless is welcome as is reform to utilise the assets and capabilities of communities, improve society and tackle inequality.

    Please explain your true values, Mr Cameron | Editorial 2011

  • In the recently launched, National Mission on Education through ICT, they say that, "The peer group assisted content development would utilise the Wikipedia type of collaborative platform under the supervision of a content advisory committee responsible for vetting the content."

    Archive 2009-02-04 Venky 2009

  • Just as Russia shares its best with the world ESA, CNSA, ISRO, ... all of whom utilise the best of Russian spacetech in their programs.

    Minor Damage Seen on Atlantis - NASA Watch 2009

Comments

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  • See also utilize. It's just as bad.

    December 25, 2006