utility
yoo-TIH-lih-tee
Utility (noun) means the quality of being useful or practical. Example: “The utility of a good torch is obvious during a power cut.”
noun
1
The quality of being useful or practical.
"The utility of a good torch is obvious during a power cut."
"Many people question the utility of owning a car in the city."
"The tool's utility lies in how quickly it gets the job done."
2
A service such as electricity, gas, or water supplied to homes and businesses, or the company providing it.
"The landlord pays for each utility, including gas and water."
"Utility bills went up again this winter."
"The city's water utility issued a boil-water notice."
3
A small computer program designed to perform a specific maintenance or support task.
"A small utility on his laptop shrinks photos so they send faster."
"She downloaded a free utility to back up her documents."
"He ran a disk cleanup utility to free up space."
adjective
1
Designed to be functional rather than attractive.
"The workshop had utility furniture, sturdy but very plain."
"She wore a utility jacket with big pockets and no decoration."
"The van has a plain, utility interior."
How to use utility
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsefulness in general, or (as a noun) a service like electricity/water, or a small helper computer program.
Common pairings
utility bill
utility company
utility software
public utility
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Word forms
- Plural
- utilities
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The _____ of a good torch is obvious during a power cut.
Etymology
From Old French utilite, from Latin utilitas ("usefulness"), from uti ("to use").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for utility
See all rhymes for utility →Frequently asked questions
What does “utility” mean?
The word “utility” means the quality of being useful or practical. In plain terms, usefulness in general, or (as a noun) a service like electricity/water, or a small helper computer program.
How do you pronounce “utility”?
“Utility” is pronounced yoo-TIH-lih-tee (/juˈtɪləti/ in IPA).
How do you use “utility” in a sentence?
Here is “utility” used in a sentence: “The tool's utility lies in how quickly it gets the job done.”
What is another word for “utility”?
Words with a similar meaning to “utility” include value and usefulness.
What is the opposite of “utility”?
The opposite of “utility” — its antonyms — are disutility and inutility.
What part of speech is “utility”?
Depending on how it is used, “utility” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “utility” come from?
The word “utility” comes from Latin. From Old French utilite, from Latin utilitas ("usefulness"), from uti ("to use").
Is “utility” a common word?
“Utility” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "utility" and "usefulness"?
The two overlap, but "utility" tends to stress practical fitness for a purpose or function, while "usefulness" is the more general, everyday word for being helpful. Something can have great utility for a specific task even if its general usefulness is limited.
When is "utility" used to mean a service like electricity?
When referring to essential services such as electricity, gas, or water — or the companies that supply them — "utility" is the standard term, often used in the plural as "utilities." For example, "the rent does not include utilities."
What is a "utility bill"?
A utility bill is the invoice you receive for a supplied service such as electricity, gas, or water. Here "utility" refers to the essential service itself, and such bills are often used as proof of address.
What is a "utility room"?
A utility room is a room in a home used for practical tasks and appliances such as a washing machine, dryer, or sink. The word "utility" here draws on its sense of being useful and practical rather than decorative.
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