Utilizes

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To employ something for a practical purpose or to maximize its effectiveness in order to achieve specific goals
2. To make active use of a resource or method for a particular aim while ensuring optimal efficiency
3. Makes use of something to accomplish a task or goal

Etymology: "Utilizes" is the third-person singular form of "utilize," so its history is that of the verb itself. The verb came into English from French "utiliser," which was borrowed from Italian "utilizzare," itself built on "utile" (useful). That Italian base traces back to Latin "ūtilis," meaning useful, which in turn grew out of the Latin verb "ūtī," to use. The chain is a neat one: the Latin root names the act of using, the adjective describes what is worth using, and the English verb keeps that same sense of getting something to serve a purpose. Along the way the word passed through French and Italian, each adding a layer of spelling and form before it settled into English with the -ize ending that marks it as a verb formed on a noun or adjective base.

Synonyms: employs, uses, applies, exploits, makes use of

Antonyms: wastes, squanders, misuses, neglects, disregards