Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ


Aug 19, 2010
This week's theme
Words that appear beheaded

This week's words
estival
auteur
irenic
utilitarian
rotund
Discuss
Feedback
RSS/XML
Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

utilitarian

PRONUNCIATION:
(yoo-til-i-TAYR-ee-uhn)

MEANING:
adjective:
1. Emphasizing usefulness and practicality over other considerations such as beauty.
2. Of or relating to utilitarianism: the doctrine that something's value is measured by its usefulness, especially as expressed by greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
noun: An adherent of utilitarianism.

ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin utilis (useful), from uti (to use).

USAGE:
"Gone is the utilitarian Subaru interior of old. This new Subaru was downright luxurious."
John Paul; What Hyundai Needs to Sell the 2011 Equus; The Boston Globe; Aug 6, 2010.

See more usage examples of utilitarian in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Remarriage: A triumph of hope over experience. -Samuel Johnson, lexicographer (1709-1784)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith