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marginal utility

American  

noun

Economics.
  1. the extra utility or satisfaction derived by a consumer from the consumption of the last unit of a commodity.


Etymology

Origin of marginal utility

First recorded in 1920–25


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

And it has a marginal utility curve that only helps you so much.

From The Verge ● Mar. 2, 2021

The marginal utility of sharing our resources with those who have little yields the highest potential for that resource and that person.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 23, 2014

But, wow, does that marginal utility of an extra gallon skyrocket during a shortage. Water’s price trajectory quickly tops that of chainsaw after a hurricane.

From Forbes ● Jan. 18, 2014

In the language of economics, the marginal utility of time with your kids—the happiness you get from the last hour you spend with them—is declining as you spend more hours.

From Slate ● Jan. 8, 2013

We’d get back to our study of marginal utility another day.

From "All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds

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