Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

utilitarianism

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.51 in modern English

Syllables: util-i-tar-i-an-ism
IPA

16

Scrabble Score

14

Letters

6

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A system of ethics based on the premise that something's value may be measured by its usefulness.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The theory that action should be directed toward achieving the "greatest happiness for the greatest number of people" (hedonistic universalism), or one of various related theories.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Practicality, functionality, as opposed to e.g. aesthetics.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"After a few more concerts, my uneasiness took form: the response seemed only to be to the Interpreter as Performer. The reviews praised her artistry. But I heard few women speak of her as a bridge in communication for deaf women, about her function, her "utilitarianism.""

Etymology

Etymology tree English utilitarian Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íd͏̌d͏̌ō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Indo-European *-mos Proto-Indo-European *-mós Ancient Greek -μός (-mós) Ancient Greek -ισμός (-ismós)der. English -ism English utilitarianism From utilitarian + -ism.

Usage

Inflected Forms

utilitarianisms (plural)

Derived Forms

antiutilitarianism nonutilitarianism

Phrases

negative utilitarianism rule utilitarianism

Frequently Paired Words

deontology

Questions

What does utilitarianism mean?: A system of ethics based on the premise that something's value may be measured by its usefulness.
Where does utilitarianism come from?: Etymology tree English utilitarian Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íd͏̌d͏̌ō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Indo-European *-mos Proto-Indo-European *-mós Ancient Greek -μός (-mós) Ancient Greek -ισμός (-ismós)der. English -ism English utilitarianism From utilitarian + -ism.

How to pronounce utilitarianism

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