How to pronounce utilize
Say it like YOO-tuh-lyze. Utilize has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (YOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce utilize. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- YOO
- tuh
- lyze
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Utilize pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- YOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lyzeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of utilize
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: YOO-tih-lyze.
What does utilize mean?
- put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose“use your head!”“we only use Spanish at home”
- convert (from an investment trust to a unit trust)
Where does utilize come from?
From French utilizer, from Italian utilizzare, from utile (“useful”), from Latin ūtilis, from ūtī (“use”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with utilize
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of utilize.
Questions about saying utilize
How do you pronounce utilize?
Say YOO-tuh-lyze. The American pronunciation is /ˈjutəˌlaɪz/. In British English it is /ˈjuːtɪˌlaɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in utilize?
Utilize has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (YOO). Broken into parts: YOO · tuh · lyze.
Is utilize pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈjuːtɪˌlaɪz/ (YOO-tih-lyze).