utility
B2Formal / Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The quality or state of being useful, practical, or beneficial.
A public service such as gas, water, or electricity; or a computer program designed for a specific, often basic, task.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun; can function as an attributive noun (e.g., utility player). The meaning shifts contextually from abstract 'usefulness' to concrete 'service' or 'tool'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Utility' as a public service is common in both. In sports (e.g., baseball), 'utility player' is more common in US English.
Connotations
Often carries a neutral or slightly technical/bureaucratic connotation. Can imply basic, no-frills functionality.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, with similar frequency profiles.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have + utility (for/in)be of + utility (to)provide + utilityVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a jack of all trades (for 'utility player')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to cost-effectiveness and practical benefit, e.g., 'The software's utility for data analysis is clear.'
Academic
In economics: 'diminishing marginal utility'; in philosophy: 'utilitarianism'.
Everyday
Often used for home services: 'Our utility bills are very high this winter.'
Technical
In computing: 'a system utility for disk cleanup'; in sports: 'a utility infielder'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The word 'utility' is not used as a verb.
American English
- The word 'utility' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- The word 'utility' does not have a standard adverbial form.
American English
- The word 'utility' does not have a standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- He is a true utility player, able to cover several positions in defence.
- We bought a utility vehicle for the farm.
American English
- He's a utility infielder for the team.
- She wore a simple utility jacket for hiking.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Water is a very important utility in our homes.
- This knife has great utility in the kitchen.
- The utility company will repair the power lines tomorrow.
- I question the practical utility of this new gadget.
- Economists study the concept of marginal utility in consumer choice.
- The new software's utility for project management is undisputed.
- The philosopher argued that the utility of an action should be judged by its contribution to overall happiness.
- This multi-purpose tool is the epitome of functional utility.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of UTILITY as 'YOU-TIL-ity' — what YOU can use to TIL (work) effectively. It's about USE.
Conceptual Metaphor
USEFULNESS IS A TOOL / A SERVICE IS A COMMODITY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'утилита' (computing tool) in all contexts. For abstract 'usefulness', use 'полезность' or 'практичность'. For public service, use 'коммунальные услуги'.
- The Russian 'утилитарность' is closer to 'utilitarianism' or 'pragmatism', not the general noun 'utility'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'utility' as a countable noun for abstract usefulness (e.g., 'It has many utilities' is incorrect for 'It has great utility').
- Confusing 'utility' (noun) with 'utilitarian' (adjective).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'utility' most likely to refer to a concrete service?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral, describing functionality. It can be positive (great utility) or negative (limited utility), but often implies a practical, non-luxurious quality.
'Use' is a broader, more general term for the act of using. 'Utility' is a more formal, often measurable quality of being useful, or a specific service/program.
Yes, when referring to multiple public services ('The utilities are expensive') or multiple software tools ('system utilities'). It is usually uncountable when referring to abstract usefulness.
It refers to the total satisfaction or benefit derived from consuming a good or service, a core concept in theories of consumer choice.
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