English

Alternative spellings
utilise (Commonwealth English)

Etymology
From F. utiliser.

Verb
en-verb|utiliz|ing

1. To make use of.
2. To use to its fullest extent, potential, or ability.
3. To take advantage of.

Synonyms
exploit
use

Usage notes
Many style guides have advised against utilize and utilise, arguing that the simpler verb use is always, or almost always, preferable (and analogously, that the noun use is preferable to utilization and utilisation).<ref>Sir Ernest Gowers 1965 The Complete Plain Words Oxford: Oxford University Press</ref> <ref>Eric Partridge 1973 Usage and Abusage: A Guide to Good English England: Penguin Books</ref> <ref>John E. Kahn (ed) 1985 The Right Word at the Right Time London:Readers Digest</ref> <ref>Pam Peters 1995 The Cambridge Australian English Style Guide Cambridge:Cambridge University Press</ref>

References
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fa:utilize
fr:utilize
io:utilize
fi:utilize
vi:utilize
zh:utilize

• 2007-08-20 17:17 - 16@r - +etym

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