Meaning & Definition of Exploit in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: To make full use of and benefit from a resource.

  Example Sentence: The company decided to exploit its new technology to gain a competitive edge.

• Definition: To take advantage of someone in an unfair or unethical way.

  Example Sentence: The workers felt that their employers were exploiting their labor.

• Definition: A bold or daring feat.

  Example Sentence: He told stories of his adventures and exploits over the years.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English (in the sense 'a deed or act'), from Old French 'exploit', from Latin 'exploitat-' (from 'exploitare') meaning 'to accomplish or achieve'.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• exploit one's talents: To make full use of one's abilities and skills.
• exploit a situation: To take advantage of a particular circumstance.

Translations

• Spanish: explotar

• French: exploiter

• German: ausbeuten

• Russian: эксплуатировать

Related Words

• exploitation: The action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work.

• exploitative: Making use of a resource or system in a way that is unethical or unfair.

Slang Meanings of exploit

• Meaning: To use someone's weaknesses against them.

  Example Sentence: He totally exploited her trust to manipulate her.

• Meaning: To gain an undue advantage in a competitive situation.

  Example Sentence: They exploited the loophole in the rules to win the game.