make use

English

Verb

make use (third-person singular simple present makes use, present participle making use, simple past and past participle made use)

1. (with of) To use, usually productively and/or for a specific purpose.
   • 1934 February, “The Why and The Wherefore: Chair-keys”, in Railway Magazine, page 139:

     The wooden or steel keys used to secure bull-head rails in their chairs are usually driven in the direction of the traffic, so that the effects of rail-creep may be made use of to wedge the keys more firmly, rather than to encourage them to drop out.

   • 2003, Mary Beth Rossen, John M. Carroll, “53: Scenario-Based Design”, in Julie A. Jacko, Andrew Sears, editors, The Human-Computer Interaction Handbook: Fundamentals, Evolving Technologies, and Emerging Applications, page 1047:

     When we design interactive systems, we make use. We create possibilities for learning, work, and leisure, for interaction and information.

2. (archaic) To help oneself.
   • 1613, William Shakespeare, The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight‎:

     Good Cromwell, neglect him not; make use now, and provide for thine own future safety.

Usage notes

Almost always followed by of.

Synonyms

• (use): employ, exploit, take advantage of

Translations