utilitarian

1 of 2

noun

util·​i·​tar·​i·​an (ˌ)yü-ˌti-lə-ˈter-ē-ən How to pronounce utilitarian (audio)
: an advocate or adherent of utilitarianism

utilitarian

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of or relating to or advocating utilitarianism
2
: marked by utilitarian views or practices
3
a
: of, relating to, or aiming at utility
b
: exhibiting or preferring mere utility
spare utilitarian furnishings

Examples of utilitarian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Taschen left the reimagining of the ranch house entirely in the hands of Pardo, with no preconceived conceptual directive and no prescribed program beyond the utilitarian. Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2024 Aaron Young’s weathered tire swing dangling from a 24-karat gold chain; Rich Aybar’s cocooning, low-slung rubber chair; and Mr. Liz Hopkins’ otherworldly fiberglass and resin lamp, for example, elevate the utilitarian through memory and wonder. Alia Akkam, Architectural Digest, 15 July 2024
Adjective
In such utilitarian areas, those with short, dense fibers are more durable than ones containing longer, looser fibers. Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024 The concrete seawall could only have been a few decades old, and the municipal buildings had a familiar utilitarian air. Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for utilitarian 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1780, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of utilitarian was circa 1780

Dictionary Entries Near utilitarian

Cite this Entry

“Utilitarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/utilitarian. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

utilitarian

adjective
util·​i·​tar·​i·​an
(ˌ)yü-ˌtil-ə-ˈter-ē-ən
1
: of or relating to utility
2
: aiming at usefulness rather than beauty
utilitarian furniture
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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