utility

Pluralutilities

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A basic service like electricity, water, or gas that homes and businesses use every day.

   Like the electricity that keeps flowing into your home all the time.

   The new apartment already has every utility connected and working.

   We pay for utilities like electricity and water each month.

   Similarservice

   Note
2. 2
   noununcountable

   The quality of being useful and able to help with a task.

   Like a tool that is worth keeping because it helps you get a job done.

   The old phone still has some utility for making calls.

   Many people doubt the utility of such a heavy tool.

   Similarusefulness, use, value, benefit, worth

   Oppositeuselessness, futility

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable

   A thing that helps you do something useful.

   Like a pocket knife you keep around because it always comes in handy.

   A good flashlight is a real utility when the power goes out.

   These small tools are everyday utilities around the house.

   Similartool, implement, device

   Note
4. 4
   adjective

   Belonging to or about a company that supplies power, water, or gas.

   The utility company sent a crew to fix the line.

   Workers dug up the street to reach a utility pipe.

   Note
5. 5
   adjective

   Made to work well rather than to look nice.

   Like a work jacket made to keep you warm, not to look stylish.

   They chose a plain utility shelf for the garage.

   The room had a simple utility look, with no decoration.

   Similarutilitarian, functional, practical, serviceable, workaday

   Oppositedecorative, ornamental, fancy

   Note
6. 6
   nouncountable

   A small computer program that does one job, like cleaning files or checking your system.

   Like one small tool that does just a single job, such as a can opener.

   I downloaded a utility to clean up my hard drive.

   This little utility checks your battery health.

   Similartool, program

   Note
7. 7
   noununcountable

   How well something meets a person's needs and gives them satisfaction.

   Like how a glass of water means a lot when you are thirsty but little when you are full.

   A warm coat has more utility in winter than in summer.

   Each extra slice of cake gave him less utility than the last.

   Similarsatisfaction

   Oppositedisutility

   Note
8. 8
   adjective

   Holding a building's pipes, wires, or machines like heaters and washers.

   Like a closet built to hold pipes and machines instead of clothes.

   They keep the washer and dryer in the utility room.

   A small utility closet holds the water heater.

   Similarmechanical

   Note
9. 9
   noununcountable

   Being able to play in several different positions on a team.

   Like a board game piece that can do many jobs instead of just one.

   Her utility on the field makes her a coach's favorite.

   The young player's utility lets him fill in almost anywhere.

   Similarversatility, flexibility, adaptability

   Note
10. 10
    nouncountable

    A computer program meant for useful work or making things, not just for fun.

    Like a tool app you use to get things done, not a game you play for fun.

    She fills her tablet with utilities for drawing and writing.

    This utility helps you edit photos at home.

    Similartool

    Note

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