Inglês

utility

gb/jutˈɪləti/ us/jutˈɪləti/
A2 Inglês
~ 2900
Aceções
0 aceções
Nome B2 property
1

usefulness or practical value

How useful something is for a purpose.

Padrão de uso: the utility of [something]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse 'utility' with 'utilities' (services like water and electricity). The singular form here means usefulness, not services.
Sinónimos
usefulness (More common in everyday speech; directly describes being useful.) | benefit (Focuses more on the positive effect rather than overall usefulness.)
Antónimos
uselessness (The complete lack of usefulness or value.)
Colocações
practical utility |limited utility |high utility |utility value
Temas
business |daily life |technology |core_vocabulary
Exemplos
  • 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • This tool has great utility for cleaning.
  • The utility of the book is clear.
  • I see no utility in this plan.
Nome B1 entity
2

public service company or system

A company that gives people water, electricity, gas, etc., or the service they give.

Padrão de uso: [a/an] utility
Erro comum:
Learners may confuse 'utility' in this sense with 'utility bill' or 'utilities' meaning expenses. Here it refers to the provider or system.
Sinónimos
service provider (More general; can include non-essential services such as internet.)
Antónimos
private supplier (A business selling goods/services not considered essential public utilities.)
Colocações
public utility |electric utility |water utility |utility company
Temas
infrastructure |daily life |business |housing |daily_life
Exemplos
  • 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • The utility fixed the broken power line.
  • We called the water utility to report a leak.
  • The gas utility sent us a bill.
Nome A2 entity
3

basic household service supply

A basic thing like water, gas, or electricity that a home needs.

Padrão de uso: [pay] for utilities
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse 'utilities' with 'appliances'. Utilities are the services, not the machines that use them.
Sinónimos
services (Less precise; can include non-essential services.)
Antónimos
luxuries (Non-essential goods or services not needed for basic living.)
Colocações
household utilities |pay utilities |utility costs
Temas
daily life |housing |daily_life |core_vocabulary
Exemplos
  • Our rent includes all utilities.
  • Utility costs have risen sharply this year.
  • Please pay your utilities by the end of the month.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • We pay for water and other utilities.
  • Electricity is an important utility.
  • Utilities cost more in winter.
Nome technical C1 quantity
4

economic value measure in economics

In economics, how much satisfaction or value someone gets from goods or services.

Sinónimos
satisfaction (Everyday term; not restricted to economics.)
Antónimos
disutility (Technical economic term meaning negative value or dissatisfaction.)
Colocações
maximize utility |marginal utility |utility function
Temas
economics |education |business |finance
Exemplos
  • 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • 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.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
utility
IPA
GB/jutˈɪləti/
US/jutˈɪləti/
Sílabas e acento
util - ity (2 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ity)
Formas da palavra
Noun
  • Base: utility
  • Plural: utilities, utility
Família de palavras
Forms
utilities noun
Core family
use verb A1 useful adjective A2 user noun A2
Related words
usage noun B1 usable adjective B2 usefulness noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
useless adjective A2 unusable adjective
Advanced or less common
utilize verb C1 utilization noun C1 utilitarian adjective B2
Expressões

public utility

1
/pˈʌblɪk jutˈɪləti/
fixed phrase

company providing essential public services

A company that gives important things like water or electricity to people.

Exemplos
  • 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.

Exemplos
  • 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.

Exemplos
  • The washing machine is in the utility room.
  • They store cleaning supplies in the utility room.

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