ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Utilitarian

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /juːˌtɪlɪˈtɛəɹi.ən/ · Part of speech adjective

Quick meaning: Utilitarian is an adjective meaning Of or relating to utility.

Meaning

Of or relating to utility.

More Meanings

  1. (ethics) Pertaining to utilitarianism.
  2. Practical and functional, present for use, not just for show.
  3. Someone who practices or advocates utilitarianism.

Example Sentences

Before his companies collapsed, Mr. Bankman-Fried often described himself as a utilitarian — meaning that he made decisions designed to advance the greater good.
The semi-streamlined contour of the earlier G.W.R. railcars has been given up in favour of a more utilitarian blunt-nose end, and effective floor space gained thereby.
These have helped develop a recognition in the industry that bland utilitarian stations do not provide an attractive welcome to the railway, that passengers value stations of character as well as convenience, and that these qualities encourage greater use of trains.

Word Forms

Synonyms for utilitarian

Depending on context, synonyms include useful, functional, utile.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include functional, utile, useful, practical, materialistic, commercial.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.