使 (shǐ) as a causative verb means to cause, to make, or to enable - typically followed by a subject plus adjective or verb complement structure (使我高兴, makes me happy). It is more formal than 让 (ràng) or 叫 (jiào), which have the same causative function in colloquial speech. In the compound 使用 (shǐ yòng) it means to use or to employ (a tool or method). 使 alone can also mean an envoy or emissary (大使, ambassador).