Utility — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /yü-ˈti-lə-tē/ util·i·ty

Meaning & Definition of Utility

Utility (noun)

  1. fitness for some purpose or worth to some end
  2. something useful or designed for use
  3. public utility

Utility (adjective)

  1. capable of serving as a substitute in various roles or positions
  2. kept to provide a useful product or service rather than for show or as a pet
  3. being of a usable but inferior grade

Utility (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the capacity for being useful for some purpose

    "the store specializes in gee-whiz gadgetry of dubious utility"

    similar: account, avail, mileage, service, serviceability, serviceableness, use, usefulness
    related: advantage, benefit, gain, aid, assistance, help, applicability, appropriateness, fitness, relevance, profit, value, worth
    opposite: uselessness, worthlessness
    near: inapplicability, inappropriateness

Utility (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in other, new

    similar: different, other, separate, makeshift, new, substitute, substitutive, alternate, alternative, pinch, extra, spare, another, second, improvised, jury, equivalent, successive
    opposite: original, first, former, equal, identical, same, lasting, permanent

Related Entry: Sport-utility vehicle (noun)

Sport-utility vehicle is a different word from Utility. The synonyms below are for sport-utility vehicle, not for utility.

  1. as in sports car, wagon

    similar: convertible, fastback, hardtop, hatchback, notchback, ragtop, sports car, station wagon, SUV, town car, wagon, woody, coach, jitney, microbus, minibus, minivan, omnibus, van, compact, coupe, intermediate, limousine, mini, minicar, sedan, subcompact, V-8, auto, automobile, bus, car, horseless carriage, machine, motor, motorcar, motor vehicle, wheels (slang), gas-guzzler, land yacht, muscle car, stock car, turbocar, beater, clunker, crate, flivver, jalopy, junker, cream puff, phaeton, roadster, tin lizzie, touring car, hybrid

Related Entry: Sport-utility vehicles (noun)

Sport-utility vehicles is a different word from Utility. The synonyms below are for sport-utility vehicles, not for utility.

  1. as in sports cars, wagons

    similar: convertibles, fastbacks, hardtops, hatchbacks, notchbacks, ragtops, sports cars, station wagons, SUVs, town cars, wagons, woodies, coaches, jitneys, microbuses, minibuses, minivans, omnibuses, vans, compacts, coupes, intermediates, limousines, minicars, minis, sedans, subcompacts, V-8s, automobiles, autos, buses, cars, horseless carriages, machines, motorcars, motors, motor vehicles, wheels (slang), gas-guzzlers, land yachts, muscle cars, stock cars, turbocars, beaters, clunkers, crates, flivvers, jalopies, junkers, cream puffs, phaetons, roadsters, tin lizzies, touring cars, hybrids

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Utility

The most common words with a similar meaning to Utility:

account, avail, mileage, service, serviceability, serviceableness, use, usefulness, different, other, separate, makeshift, new, substitute, substitutive, alternate, alternative, pinch, extra, spare, another, second, improvised, jury, equivalent, successive

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Utility

Words with the opposite meaning of Utility:

uselessness, worthlessness, original, first, former, equal, identical, same, lasting, permanent

Related Words for Utility

advantage, benefit, gain, aid, assistance, help, applicability, appropriateness, fitness, relevance, profit, value, worth

Near Antonyms of Utility

inapplicability, inappropriateness

Word Forms of Utility

Inflections: utilities

Origin & Etymology of Utility

Middle English utilite, from Anglo-French utilité, from Latin utilitat, utilitas, from utilis useful, from uti to use

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Utility

Words & Phrases Containing Utility

utility knife, utility token, utility pole, utility room, marginal utility, public utility, sport utility vehicle

Frequently Asked Questions about Utility

What does "Utility" mean?

"Utility" means fitness for some purpose or worth to some end. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: fitness for some purpose or worth to some end. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Utility"?

Other words for "Utility" include account, avail, mileage, service, serviceability, serviceableness, use and usefulness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Utility" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Utility"?

There are 39 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Utility". Common alternatives include account, avail, mileage, service, serviceability, serviceableness, use, usefulness, different and other.

What is the opposite of "Utility"?

Antonyms of "Utility" include uselessness, worthlessness, original, first, former, equal, identical and same. Near antonyms include inapplicability and inappropriateness.

How do you use "Utility" in a sentence?

Examples of "Utility" in a sentence: "the store specializes in gee-whiz gadgetry of dubious utility".

Is "Utility" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Utility" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Utility" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Utility" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Utility"?

"Utility" is pronounced /yü-ˈti-lə-tē/ and divided into syllables as util·i·ty.