Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

utilitarian

/juːˌtɪlɪˈtɛəɹi.ən/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.05 in modern English

Syllables: util-i-tar-i-an
IPA: /juːˌtɪlɪˈtɛəɹi.ən/

11

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

6

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Of or relating to utility.

adj

Pertaining to utilitarianism.

adj

Practical and functional, present for use, not just for show.

noun

Someone who practices or advocates utilitarianism.

Example Sentences

"The semi-streamlined contour of the earlier G.W.R. railcars has been given up in favour of a more utilitarian blunt-nose end, and effective floor space gained thereby."
"These have helped develop a recognition in the industry that bland utilitarian stations do not provide an attractive welcome to the railway, that passengers value stations of character as well as convenience, and that these qualities encourage greater use of trains."
"Before his companies collapsed, Mr. Bankman-Fried often described himself as a utilitarian — meaning that he made decisions designed to advance the greater good."

Etymology

From utility + -arian. Coined by English philosopher Jeremy Bentham as early as 1781, and popularized by his student John Stuart Mill, who mistakenly attributed the term to John Galt.

Word Breakdown

Suffix: utility

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /juːˌtɪlɪˈtɛəɹi.ən/

Inflected Forms

more utilitarian (comparative) most utilitarian (superlative) utilitarians (plural)

Derived Forms

antiutilitarian inutilitarian nonutilitarian utilitarianise utilitarianist utilitarianization utilitarianize utilitarianness futilitarian utilitarianism utilitarianly

Phrases

negative utilitarian

Synonyms

useful

Rhymes With

humanitarian bulgarian marion hungarian authoritarian marian barbarian sectarian totalitarian agrarian veterinarian bavarian

Questions

How do you pronounce utilitarian?: The recorded pronunciation is /juːˌtɪlɪˈtɛəɹi.ən/.
What does utilitarian mean?: Of or relating to utility.
Where does utilitarian come from?: From utility + -arian. Coined by English philosopher Jeremy Bentham as early as 1781, and popularized by his student John Stuart Mill, who mistakenly attributed the term to John Galt.

How to pronounce utilitarian

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