utilitarian

American  

[yoo-til-i-tair-ee-uhn] / yuˌtɪl ɪˈtɛər i ən /

adjective

1. pertaining to or consisting in utility.

2. having regard to utility or usefulness rather than beauty, ornamentation, etc.

   Synonyms:

   sensible, functional, useful, practical

3. of, relating to, or adhering to the doctrine of utilitarianism.

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noun

1. an adherent of utilitarianism.

utilitarian British  

/ juːˌtɪlɪˈtɛərɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to utilitarianism

2. designed for use rather than beauty

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noun

1. a person who believes in utilitarianism

Other Word Forms

• antiutilitarian adjective
• nonutilitarian adjective
• unutilitarian adjective

Etymology

Origin of utilitarian

First recorded in 1775–85; utilit(y) + -arian

Example Sentences

Completed in 1984, the hangar-like space blended industrial materials — metal cladding, stucco, exposed structure and utilitarian forms — with folded, sculptural masses and cheeky artistic moments.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s all in the name of bringing a little humor to what would otherwise feel like a very utilitarian part of his daily routine.

From The Wall Street Journal

But as prediction markets become more popular, the companies running them are leaning into something that many observers say looks less utilitarian and more like straight-up gambling.

From MarketWatch

Today, Mumbai is yet again a city in rapid flux - its building code governed by real estate moguls trying to maximise the floor space index, giving way to utilitarian rather than stylistic considerations.

From BBC

Breakfast suddenly feels like a small, personal ritual rather than a hurried, utilitarian task.

From Salon

Related Words

• functional
• sensible