French word

utiliser

Pronunciation

IPA/ytilize/

Meaning

  • verbuse

Example

J'utilise mon vélo pour aller au travail.

I use my bike to go to work.

Illustration for utiliser (use)

More examples

Il utilise un outil pour réparer la porte.

He uses a tool to repair the door.

Core concept

A means, whether physical or abstract, actively serving a planned purpose.

Common phrases

  • utiliser un outil

    use a tool

  • utiliser les réseaux sociaux

    use social media

  • utiliser un ticket

    use a ticket

Similar words

se servir de: To use one's hands or a tool to do something.
employer: To employ a person or means as needed.
profiter de: To take advantage of a situation or opportunity for benefit.
manipuler: To handle or control a person or thing to serve one's aims.

Definition in French

Faire servir un objet, un outil ou une ressource pour atteindre un objectif.

Word origin

Utiliser developed from the adjective utile, ultimately inherited from Latin utilis, through the addition of the suffix -iser.

Usage tips

  • Utiliser quelqu'un can suggest exploiting that person, unlike utiliser un outil, so the object affects the tone.

Related words

Word lists with this word