Reading Theme:
Utility: Definition, Usage & Common Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：usefulness (utility)
utility
/juːˈtɪl.ə.ti/
n.
The quality of being useful and serving a good purpose.
usefulness
➕
/ˈjuːsfəlnəs/
n.
The quality of being practical and effective in serving a purpose.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'utilitas' (usefulness), derived from 'uti' (to use) with suffix '-ity' indicating state or quality.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of a utility knife: versatile and useful for many tasks, just like the word's meaning.
📖 Example
My friend's study notes have such great utility; they're clear, well-organized, and helped me pass the exam.
My friend's study notes are highly useful; their clarity and organization aided my exam success.
🔗 Collocations
practical utility – usefulness in real-world applications
marginal utility – the additional satisfaction from consuming one more unit
social utility – the benefit to society from an action or policy
🔄 Synonyms
usefulness (n.) – the quality of being of practical use
practicality (n.) – the quality of being suited to actual use
functionality (n.) – the quality of being functional or operational
🚫 Antonyms
uselessness (n.) – the quality of having no practical use
futility (n.) – the pointlessness or ineffectiveness of an action
🌱 Derivatives
utilitarian (adj./n.) – designed to be useful rather than attractive; or a person who advocates utility
utilize (v.) – to make practical use of something
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'utilitas'. Central to Utilitarianism, a philosophical theory by Bentham and Mill that evaluates actions based on their utility in maximizing happiness.
Meaning 2：public service (utility)
utility
/juːˈtɪl.ə.ti/
n.
A basic service provided for everyone in a community, like water, electricity, or gas.
public service
➕
/ˈpʌblɪk ˈsɜːrvɪs/
n.
A basic service such as water, electricity, or gas provided to the public.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
After returning from vacation, the first thing I did was check if all the utilities were working properly.
Upon returning from holiday, my first task was to ensure all essential services were functioning.
🔗 Collocations
utility bill – a bill for services like electricity or water
utility company – a company that provides public services
public utility – a service organization for the community
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
luxury (n.) – something desirable but not essential
non-essential (adj.) – not necessary or basic
🌱 Derivatives
utilities (n.) – plural form referring to public services
Wordbook
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