utility man
Americannoun
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a worker expected to serve in any capacity when called on.
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an actor of miscellaneous small parts.
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Baseball. a player who is not a regular and whose value lies in an ability to play several positions.
noun
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a worker who is expected to serve in any of several capacities
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an actor who plays any of numerous small parts
Etymology
Origin of utility man
First recorded in 1850–55
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.
Despite his track record of mediocre offense—he has lifetime .257 batting average with a .674 OPS—his defensive versatility and his positive clubhouse presence have made him attractive as a utility man.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
Infielder Hyeseong Kim played his final spring training game Thursday, Roberts confirmed, as the utility man is set to join Team South Korea for the World Baseball Classic.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026
After Carrick confirmed left-sided utility man Patrick Dorgu would be out for "a number of weeks" through injury, there have been suggestions the club might look to cover the Denmark international's absence.
From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026
There was also acclaim for veteran utility man Miguel Rojas.
From Barron's • Nov. 3, 2025
Back at his desk the next morning he was again the grave-eyed and industrious young utility man, but in his breast pocket was a crumpled rosebud which to him still had fragrant life.
From The Tempering by Buck, Charles Neville
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
