utility
gb/jutˈɪləti/ us/jutˈɪləti/
A2
Anglais
~ 2900
Sens
0 sens
Nom
B2
property
1
usefulness or practical value
How useful something is for a purpose.
Schéma d’usage :
the utility of [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'utility' with 'utilities' (services like water and electricity). The singular form here means usefulness, not services.
Synonymes
usefulness (More common in everyday speech; directly describes being useful.)
|
benefit (Focuses more on the positive effect rather than overall usefulness.)
Antonymes
uselessness (The complete lack of usefulness or value.)
Collocations
practical utility
|limited utility
|high utility
|utility value
Thèmes
business
|daily life
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The utility of this software lies in its ability to save time.
- Her research has little utility for solving the current problem.
- We need to consider the utility of each option before deciding.
Exemples pédagogiques
- This tool has great utility for cleaning.
- The utility of the book is clear.
- I see no utility in this plan.
Nom
B1
entity
2
public service company or system
A company that gives people water, electricity, gas, etc., or the service they give.
Schéma d’usage :
[a/an] utility
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse 'utility' in this sense with 'utility bill' or 'utilities' meaning expenses. Here it refers to the provider or system.
Synonymes
service provider (More general; can include non-essential services such as internet.)
Antonymes
private supplier (A business selling goods/services not considered essential public utilities.)
Collocations
public utility
|electric utility
|water utility
|utility company
Thèmes
infrastructure
|daily life
|business
|housing
|daily_life
Exemples
- The local utility has announced a rate increase.
- Utilities are responsible for maintaining the power lines.
- The city’s water utility is upgrading its treatment plant.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The utility fixed the broken power line.
- We called the water utility to report a leak.
- The gas utility sent us a bill.
Nom
A2
entity
3
basic household service supply
A basic thing like water, gas, or electricity that a home needs.
Schéma d’usage :
[pay] for utilities
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'utilities' with 'appliances'. Utilities are the services, not the machines that use them.
Synonymes
services (Less precise; can include non-essential services.)
Antonymes
luxuries (Non-essential goods or services not needed for basic living.)
Collocations
household utilities
|pay utilities
|utility costs
Thèmes
daily life
|housing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Our rent includes all utilities.
- Utility costs have risen sharply this year.
- Please pay your utilities by the end of the month.
Exemples pédagogiques
- We pay for water and other utilities.
- Electricity is an important utility.
- Utilities cost more in winter.
Nom
technical
C1
quantity
4
economic value measure in economics
In economics, how much satisfaction or value someone gets from goods or services.
Synonymes
satisfaction (Everyday term; not restricted to economics.)
Antonymes
disutility (Technical economic term meaning negative value or dissatisfaction.)
Collocations
maximize utility
|marginal utility
|utility function
Thèmes
economics
|education
|business
|finance
Exemples
- Consumers aim to maximize their utility when choosing products.
- Marginal utility tends to decrease as consumption increases.
- The utility function represents a person's preferences.
Exemples pédagogiques
- In economics, people want more utility from goods.
- Economists study how people get utility from things.
- Utility can be high or low depending on need.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
utility
API
GB/jutˈɪləti/
US/jutˈɪləti/
Syllabes et accentuation
util - ity (2 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ity)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: utility
- Plural: utilities, utility
Famille de mots
Forms
utilities
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
useless
adjective A2
unusable
adjective
Advanced or less common
Expressions
public utility
1/pˈʌblɪk jutˈɪləti/
fixed phrase
company providing essential public services
A company that gives important things like water or electricity to people.
Exemples
- Electricity is supplied by a public utility in this area.
- Public utilities are regulated to ensure fair prices.
utility bill
1/jutˈɪləti bˈɪl/
fixed phrase
bill for household services charges
A paper or online statement showing how much you must pay for water, gas, electricity, etc.
Exemples
- I need to pay my utility bill by Friday.
- Utility bills have increased this winter.
utility room
1/jutˈɪləti ɹˈum/
fixed phrase
room for laundry and equipment storage
A small room in a house where you keep washing machines and other equipment.
Exemples
- The washing machine is in the utility room.
- They store cleaning supplies in the utility room.