utensil

[yoo-ten-suhl]

noun

1. any of the instruments or vessels commonly used in a kitchen, dairy, etc..

   eating utensils; baking utensils.

2. any instrument, vessel, or tool serving a useful purpose.

   smoking utensils; fishing utensils; farming utensils.

utensil

/ juːˈtɛnsəl /

noun

1. an implement, tool, or container for practical use

   writing utensils

Word History and Origins

Origin of utensil¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English (collective singular): “household articles,” from Middle French utensile, from Latin ūtēnsilia, neuter plural of ūtēnsilis “useful,” derivative of ūtī “to use”; use

Word History and Origins

Origin of utensil¹

C14 utensele, via Old French from Latin ūtēnsilia necessaries, from ūtēnsilis available for use, from ūtī to use

Example Sentences

Do they expect to use your silverware or should they buy some plastic utensils?

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Anera says its kitchens also lack utensils, packaging and canisters of gas, with which it would be cleaner to cook.

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When some people criticized him for eating biryani, a rice-and-meat dish, with his hands rather than with utensils, many Indians rose to his defense.

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I do, however, succeed in knocking some plates and utensils to the ground.

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The products are attracting new waves of buyers and have made the writing utensils more popular than ever.

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Related Words

• appliance 
• equipment 
• fork 
• gadget 
• instrument 
• knife 
• silverware 
• tableware 
• ware 

When To Use

What are other ways to say utensil?

A utensil refers to any instrument or vessel serving a useful purpose, especially those commonly used in a kitchen. When should you use this noun over tool, instrument, or implement? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.