utility

/ju:'tiliti/

Thân thiện

A utility infielder can play several different positions on the baseball field.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • The quality of being useful or practical: The state of having a beneficial function or serving a practical purpose.
   • A public service: A service provided to the public, such as electricity, gas, water, or public transportation, often by a regulated company.
   • (Economics) A measure of satisfaction: In economics, a hypothetical measure of the satisfaction or benefit derived from consuming goods and services.
   • (Computing) A support program: A software program designed to perform a specific, often routine, task to support the operation of a computer system.

2. Adjective:

   • Designed for usefulness over style: Made to be practical and functional rather than attractive or luxurious.
   • (Sports) Capable of playing multiple positions: Referring to a player who can substitute in various positions on a team.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The utility of this tool is its ability to perform multiple functions. (The usefulness of this tool is its ability to perform multiple functions.)
  • The monthly bill includes charges for gas and electricity utilities. (The monthly bill includes charges for gas and electricity public services.)
  • Economists often measure consumer choice in terms of utility. (Economists often measure consumer choice in terms of satisfaction.)
  • Run a disk cleanup utility to free up space. (Run a disk cleanup support program to free up space.)

• Adjective:

  • She wore a utility jacket with many pockets for her hike. (She wore a practical jacket with many pockets for her hike.)
  • The coach values him as a utility player who can cover both infield and outfield. (The coach values him as a versatile player who can cover both infield and outfield.)

Advanced Usage

• "Of no utility": Completely useless or serving no practical purpose.

  • The broken machine was of no utility to the workshop. (The broken machine was completely useless to the workshop.)

• "Marginal utility": (Economics) The additional satisfaction or benefit gained from consuming one more unit of a good or service.

  • The concept of diminishing marginal utility explains why the first slice of pizza is more satisfying than the fifth. (The concept of diminishing additional satisfaction explains why the first slice of pizza is more satisfying than the fifth.)

Variants and Related Words

• Utilize (verb): To make practical or effective use of something.

  • We must utilize all available resources. (We must make use of all available resources.)

• Utilitarian (adjective): Designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive; also relating to the philosophy of utilitarianism.

  • The building's design is purely utilitarian. (The building's design is purely practical.)

• Utilities (plural noun): Common short form for "public utility companies" or the services they provide.

  • Our utilities are included in the rent. (Our public service bills are included in the rent.)

Synonyms

• Usefulness: The quality of being of practical use.
• Functionality: The quality of being suited to serve a purpose well.
• Service: A system supplying a public need (e.g., transport, utilities).

Related Phrases

• Public utility: A company that provides essential services (e.g., water, electricity) to the public, often under government regulation.

  • The storm damaged the infrastructure of several public utilities. (The storm damaged the infrastructure of several essential service companies.)

• Utility room: A room in a house used for appliances like the washing machine, boiler, or freezer.

  • The vacuum cleaner is kept in the utility room. (The vacuum cleaner is kept in the practical appliances room.)

Related Idioms

• "All-purpose" or "General-purpose": While not a direct idiom for "utility," these phrases convey a similar meaning of being useful for many things, much like a utility knife or utility player.
  • This is a good general-purpose tool for basic repairs. (This is a good all-around useful tool for basic repairs.)

Học thuật

Adjective

1. capable of substituting in any of several positions on a team
   • a utility infielder
2. used of beef; usable but inferior

Noun

1. a facility composed of one or more pieces of equipment connected to or part of a structure and designed to provide a service such as heat or electricity or water or sewage disposal
   • the price of the house included all utilities
2. (computer science) a program designed for general support of the processes of a computer
   • a computer system provides utility programs to perform the tasks needed by most users
3. (economics) a measure that is to be maximized in any situation involving choice
4. the service (electric power or water or transportation) provided by a public utility
   • the cost of utilities never decreases
   • all the utilities were lost after the hurricane
5. the quality of being of practical use
6. a company that performs a public service; subject to government regulation

Từ đồng nghĩa

• utility
• substitute
• utility-grade
• utility program
• service program
• usefulness
• public utility
• public utility company
• public-service corporation