utilitarian
- 01 C1 Advanced
adj.designed to be useful and practical rather than attractive or comfortable.
adj.designed for utility and function rather than aesthetic appeal or ornamentation.
Simple“The factory workers wore utilitarian uniforms that were tough but not very stylish.”
In context“The architect's utilitarian approach resulted in a building that was highly efficient for storage but lacked any decorative character.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
adj.relating to the idea that the best action is the one that helps the most people.
adj.pertaining to the ethical theory of utilitarianism, which posits that the best action is the one that maximises overall utility or happiness.
Simple“From a utilitarian perspective, the new road is good because it helps thousands of drivers.”
In context“The committee adopted a utilitarian framework to decide how to distribute the limited medical supplies during the crisis.”
Synonymspragmaticconsequentialist - 03 C2 Proficiency
n.someone who believes that we should always try to do the most good for the greatest number of people.
n.an adherent or advocate of the ethical doctrine of utilitarianism.
Simple“As a utilitarian, she argued that the budget should focus on public health rather than art.”
In context“Early utilitarians like Jeremy Bentham argued that social policies should be judged solely by their ability to increase collective pleasure.”
Synonymspragmatist
“The Fairphone may not be everyone’s style, but I like the utilitarian vibe.”
“Princess telephones: The utilitarian black rotary telephone got an upgrade to meet the demands of the teen market.”
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.