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

Explanation

The adjective utilitarian describes something that is useful or functional. If you are attracted to a car for its storage space and gas mileage — as opposed to its sparkly tire rims — then chances are you value a car's utilitarian features. The word utilitarian was coined by the philosopher and judge Jeremy Bentham, who argued that his principle of utility would create the "greatest happiness for the greatest number of people." The noun form of utilitarian refers to a person who adheres to this philosophy of usefulness. "They couldn't agree on the decor for their living room. She wanted whimsy — delicate tables, fragile statues of fairies and unicorns, and cushions on the floor to sit on. He wanted something more utilitarian and useful — comfortable chairs, a giant TV, and sturdy tables to put your feet on."

Example Sentences

But architects work their magic at utilitarian drafting tables, heads bowed over blueprints—hardly the setting to stimulate heroic sculpture.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

I think that, for those of us who love free markets and love capitalism and understand the utilitarian good of capitalism but also the morality of capitalism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

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 • Dec. 5, 2025

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 • Nov. 24, 2025

Only one person could have designed the outfit, at first glance utterly utilitarian, at second a work of art.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• functional
• sensible