utilize

Utilize is a transitive verb meaning to make practical and effective use of something, to put it to a particular use, or to employ it in order to achieve a result. It often conveys deliberate or systematic application and may imply repurposing something that was not previously employed.

Etymology and spelling: The word derives from Middle French utiliser, from Latin utilis meaning “useful.” In British English, utilise with s is common; in American English, utilize with z is standard. The related noun forms are utilization (American) and utilisation (British).

Usage guidance: In many contexts, especially ordinary or informal writing, use is preferred for simplicity. Utilize tends to appear in formal, technical, legal, or policy writing, where there is a sense of applying a tool, method, or resource to achieve a goal. The distinction is subtle, and some editors consider utilize unnecessary unless a specific nuance is intended. Examples: “The project utilized solar energy” versus “The project used solar energy.”

See also: use, utilization, utilisation.