unutilized

Unutilized is an adjective meaning not used or not put to use. It describes assets, resources, or opportunities that remain idle, undeveloped, or underexploited. In many contexts, unutilized can imply potential value that has not yet been realized, contrasting with the state of being utilized or exploited.

Etymology: The word is formed from the prefix un- attached to utilized, which derives from the Latin utilis through French utile and English utilise/utilize. Its usage is established in English to describe things that have not been employed or applied.

Usage and contexts: In business and economics, unutilized resources such as production capacity, equipment, or land can reflect inefficiency, unused potential, or strategic reserve. In energy and utilities, unutilized capacity refers to generation or transmission capacity that is available but not employed. In finance, unutilized funds or lines of credit are sums or facilities that have not been drawn. In planning and development, unutilized land or space may be slated for future development or repurposing.

Examples: The plant operated below its potential due to unutilized capacity. The company reallocated unutilized funds to new projects. The city council identified several parcels of unutilized land suitable for redevelopment.

See also: underutilization, idle, unused, latent potential.