utilitarian
gb/jutˌɪlətˈɛɹiən/ us/jutˌɪlətˈɛɹiən/
B2
English
praktikus, funkcionális, utilitarista, haszonelvű
B2
1
praktikus
A2
funkcionális
B2
Usage pattern:
[a utilitarian + noun]
The apartment is small but clean, with utilitarian furniture and very little decoration.
A lakás kicsi, de tiszta, praktikus bútorokkal és nagyon kevés díszítéssel.
She chose a utilitarian backpack that would survive daily commuting.
Egy praktikus hátizsákot választott, amely bírja a mindennapos ingázást.
The website redesign aims for a more utilitarian layout that loads quickly on phones.
Learner examples
The kitchen is utilitarian and easy to clean.
A konyha praktikus és könnyen tisztítható.
I bought a utilitarian coat for rainy weather.
Egy praktikus kabátot vettem esős időre.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with "humanitarian" (helping people) or "utility" (a service like gas/electricity).
Meaning
practical, not decorative
Collocations
utilitarian design
|utilitarian building
|utilitarian furniture
|utilitarian clothing
|utilitarian style
|utilitarian purpose
|utilitarian function
|utilitarian solution
|utilitarian object
|utilitarian look
Synonyms
functional (Emphasizes how well something works.)
|
practical (Emphasizes usefulness in real situations.)
|
no-frills (Informal; stresses lack of extra features.)
|
plain (Stresses simple appearance, sometimes negatively.)
|
serviceable (Means adequate for the job, not impressive.)
Antonyms
decorative (Made mainly to look attractive.)
|
ornamental (Intended as decoration rather than use.)
|
luxurious (High-quality and comfort-focused rather than strictly necessary.)
Themes
daily_life
|design
|materials
Definition
made mainly to be useful, not pretty
Designed to be useful and functional rather than attractive, luxurious, or decorative.
C1
FORMAL
2
utilitarista
C1
haszonelvű
C1
Usage pattern:
[a utilitarian + noun]
The professor compared utilitarian and deontological approaches to medical triage.
A professzor összehasonlította az orvosi triázs utilitarista és deontológiai megközelítéseit.
A utilitarian argument might support the policy if it increases overall well-being.
Egy utilitarista érv támogathatja ezt a politikát, ha növeli az általános jólétet.
Her essay criticizes utilitarian ethics for ignoring individual rights in extreme cases.
Learner examples
In class we studied utilitarian ethics.
Az órán haszonelvű etikát tanultunk.
He used a utilitarian argument about the results.
Az eredményekre épülő utilitarista érvet használt.
Common mistake:
In philosophy, it does not mean “useful design”; it refers to a moral theory.
Meaning
relating to utilitarianism
Collocations
utilitarian ethics
|utilitarian theory
|utilitarian reasoning
|utilitarian principles
|utilitarian calculus
|utilitarian argument
|utilitarian perspective
|utilitarian framework
|utilitarian moral view
|utilitarian justification
Synonyms
consequentialist (Broader term; includes utilitarianism and other consequence-based theories.)
Antonyms
deontological (Judges actions by duties/rules rather than outcomes.)
Themes
philosophy
|ethics
|education
Definition
about the idea that the best action helps most people
Relating to the ethical theory of utilitarianism, which judges actions by their consequences, aiming to produce the greatest overall good.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
3
utilitarista
C1
Usage pattern:
[a/the] utilitarian
As a utilitarian, she believes policies should be judged by how much happiness they produce overall.
Utilitaristaként úgy gondolja, hogy az intézkedéseket az alapján kell megítélni, mennyi boldogságot hoznak összességében.
The debate set a utilitarian against a rights-based theorist.
A vitában egy utilitarista állt szemben egy jogokra építő elmélet képviselőjével.
He’s not a utilitarian; he thinks some actions are wrong no matter the outcome.
Learner examples
He is a utilitarian in his moral views.
Erkölcsi nézeteit tekintve utilitarista.
Common mistake:
Not the same as a “utility worker” or someone who likes practical objects.
Meaning
supporter of utilitarianism
Collocations
a committed utilitarian
|a strict utilitarian
|utilitarians argue that
|self-described utilitarian
|utilitarian philosopher
Synonyms
consequentialist (Broader category; not all consequentialists are utilitarians.)
Antonyms
deontologist (Someone who emphasizes duties/rules over consequences.)
Themes
philosophy
|ethics
Definition
a person who believes in utilitarianism
A person who supports or follows utilitarianism as a moral theory.
Grammar
Dictionary form
utilitarian
IPA
GB/jutˌɪlətˈɛɹiən/
US/jutˌɪlətˈɛɹiən/
Syllables & stress
util - it - ari - an (4 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (an)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: utilitarian
Noun
- Base: utilitarian
- Plural: utilitarians
Expressions
rule utilitarianism
1/ɹˈul jˌutˈɪlɪtˈɑɹiənˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
technical
utilitarianism based on rules
a type of utilitarianism that follows rules that help most people
Examples
- Rule utilitarianism tries to preserve the benefits of rules while keeping utilitarian goals.
- In the seminar, students contrasted rule utilitarianism with act utilitarianism.
- She argues that rule utilitarianism better protects individual rights in everyday situations.
utilitarian approach
1/jutˌɪlətˈɛɹiən əpɹˈoʊt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
focus on practical results
a way of doing something that is mainly practical
Examples
- They took a utilitarian approach to the renovation, choosing durable materials over expensive finishes.
- Her utilitarian approach to budgeting leaves little room for impulse purchases.
- The team adopted a utilitarian approach: fix the biggest problems first.
Learner examples
- We need a utilitarian approach to this problem.
utilitarian design
1/jutˌɪlətˈɛɹiən dɪzˈaɪn/
fixed phrase
design focused on function
design made to work well, not to look fancy
Examples
- Utilitarian design is popular in small apartments because it saves space.
- The brand is known for utilitarian design—simple shapes and tough fabrics.
- The new bus station favors utilitarian design over grand architecture.
Learner examples
- I like utilitarian design in furniture.
utilitarian ethics
1/jutˌɪlətˈɛɹiən ˈɛθɪks/
fixed phrase
formal
ethics based on outcomes
the idea that the best choice is the one with the best results for most people
Examples
- Utilitarian ethics can support sacrificing a small benefit to avoid a much larger harm.
- The article applies utilitarian ethics to decisions about vaccine distribution.
- Critics argue that utilitarian ethics can permit unfair treatment of minorities.
Learner examples
- We discussed utilitarian ethics in philosophy class.