Utilising

Utilising is a verb form meaning to make use of something; to put to practical use a resource, method, or idea. It is the present participle of utilise, the British spelling of the verb whose American equivalent is utilize.

Etymology and forms: utilise/utilize derive from Latin utilis meaning useful, with related noun forms utilisation (British) and utilization (American). The spelling of the verb varies by region: utilise is standard in British English, while utilize is common in American English. The corresponding noun spellings follow the same regional pattern.

Usage notes: Utilising tends to appear in formal, technical, or academic writing and in policy or business contexts that prefer precise diction. In everyday prose, simpler verbs such as use, employ, or apply are often clearer. The word can carry a nuance of deliberate, efficient, or optimal application of a resource or idea, rather than casual or incidental use.

Examples: The organisation aims to utilise its wind-energy resources more efficiently. Researchers utilised data from multiple studies to corroborate the findings. In both past and present contexts, the choice between utilise/utilize can reflect regional style preferences as well as the desired level of formality.

Related terms: utilisation, utilization; usable and utilisable/utilizable are related forms describing the capacity or ability to be used. Selecting utilise versus utilize, and utilisation versus utilization, typically follows regional style guides and the intended tone of the text.