utilitarian
/ˌjuːtɪlɪˈteəriən/ (bre, ipa) · [jutˌɪlətˈɛriən] /ˌjuːtɪlɪˈteriən/ (ame, ipa) · [jutˌɪlətˈɛriən] /(ˌ)yü-ˌti-lə-ˈter-ē-ən How to pronounce utilitarian (audio)/ (ame, mw)
utilitarian — adjective
- utilitarianpositive
- more utilitariancomparative
- most utilitariansuperlative
1. made or chosen because it works well for a purpose, not because it is beautiful
made or chosen because it works well for a purpose, not because it is beautiful or fashionable
The hospital bought simple, utilitarian furniture that was easy to clean.
utilitarian + noun describing furniture
Karim chose a utilitarian backpack with many pockets instead of a fashionable leather bag.
contrast between utilitarian and fashionable
The building's design was purely utilitarian, with no decorations on the walls.
Pedro preferred utilitarian clothing that kept him warm and dry over stylish outfits.
The kitchen had a utilitarian layout that made cooking and cleaning very efficient.
- practical
more general; utilitarian emphasises usefulness over appearance more strongly
- functional
focuses on working properly; utilitarian adds a sense of plainness
- serviceable
adequate for a purpose; slightly more formal
- no-nonsense
informal; suggests directness and lack of decoration
- decorative
meant to be attractive rather than useful
- ornamental
serving only as decoration
- fancy
elaborate and visually appealing
文法句型
utilitarian + noun
be + utilitarian
用法筆記
Most often used before nouns (attributive position). Frequently contrasted with terms for appearance such as 'decorative', 'ornamental', or 'stylish'.
常見錯誤
2. relating to the ethical theory that the best action is the one which brings the
relating to the ethical theory that the best action is the one which brings the greatest happiness to the greatest number of people
The senator's utilitarian argument focused on policies that would benefit the largest population.
utilitarian + abstract noun: argument
Sofia wrote her thesis on utilitarian ethics and how they apply to modern healthcare decisions.
collocation: utilitarian ethics
A utilitarian view of charity asks which programmes save the most lives with limited money.
Nikhil found utilitarian thinking useful when deciding how to distribute funds among different projects.
- consequentialist
broader ethical category; utilitarianism is one type of consequentialist theory
- deontological
relating to duty-based ethics, contrasted with consequence-based utilitarianism
文法句型
utilitarian + abstract noun
用法筆記
Appears before abstract nouns such as 'ethics', 'philosophy', 'approach', 'view', and 'thinking'. Distinguish from sense 1 (adjective — DESIGNED FOR USE), which describes physical objects rather than ethical systems.
常見錯誤
utilitarian — noun
1. someone whose thinking follows the ethical belief that actions should bring the
someone whose thinking follows the ethical belief that actions should bring the most happiness to the most people
As a utilitarian, Amelia believes that laws should create the most good for the most people.
pattern: as a + utilitarian
The debate between the utilitarian and the rights theorist lasted for several hours.
article: the + utilitarian (specific person)
Leo became a utilitarian after studying philosophy at university and reading the classic texts.
A utilitarian might argue that building the hospital benefits more people than building a park.
Some critics say a utilitarian would be willing to sacrifice individual rights for group happiness.
- consequentialist
broader category; all utilitarians are consequentialists, but not all consequentialists are utilitarians
- deontologist
someone who follows duty-based ethics rather than consequence-based ethics
文法句型
a + utilitarian
the + utilitarian
用法筆記
Countable noun. Refers to someone familiar with the philosophical theory of utilitarianism, not merely a person who prefers practical solutions — for the latter meaning, use 'pragmatic person' or 'practical person' instead.