utility
utility — noun
1. one of the basic services like electricity, gas, or water that homes and busines
one of the basic services like electricity, gas, or water that homes and businesses rely on every day.
The storm damaged power lines, so the utility company sent workers to restore the electricity.
collocation: utility company / utility bill / utility service
Jin called the water utility to report a leak in the pipe outside his house.
Many families struggle to pay their utility bills during the cold winter months.
When the gas utility was shut down for repairs, everyone in the building lost heating.
用法筆記
Frequently used attributively before nouns like company, bill, service, or provider to specify which aspect of the service is being discussed.
常見錯誤
2. a business that provides a public service such as electricity, gas, or water to
a business that provides a public service such as electricity, gas, or water to customers.
Large utility companies often invest billions in maintaining power grids and pipelines.
collocation: utility companies
Walid works for a local utility that supplies drinking water to three nearby towns.
The government introduced new rules to stop utilities from raising prices without warning.
Investors bought shares in several utilities after the energy market was opened to competition.
- public utility
more formal term that legally defines a company serving the public interest under government regulation
- service provider
broader term that includes non-essential services such as internet or phone
用法筆記
This sense is often used in the plural (utilities) to refer to utility companies collectively, particularly in financial or regulatory contexts.
常見錯誤
3. how practical and helpful something is for achieving a particular goal.
how practical and helpful something is for achieving a particular goal.
Lakan questioned the utility of buying a tablet when his laptop already worked well.
question + the utility of + gerund
The utility of this small tool became clear when Andrei needed to fix his bicycle.
Lauren measured the utility of each proposal by how many people it would help.
The new software has limited utility for designers who work with images every day.
- usefulness
less formal, preferred in everyday speech; utility is more common in formal or analytical writing
- practicality
emphasizes ease of use or suitability for real-world conditions rather than general usefulness
- value
broader term that can include emotional or financial worth, not just practical function
- uselessness
direct opposite; the state of having no practical purpose
用法筆記
Typically uncountable. Often preceded by an adjective (great, limited, little, practical) or the preposition 'of' (the utility of something). More formal than usefulness.
常見錯誤
4. a computer program that performs a specific supporting task, such as compressing
a computer program that performs a specific supporting task, such as compressing files, converting data, or scanning for viruses.
Gabriel downloaded a free utility to convert video files into MP3 format.
download + a utility + to-infinitive purpose
This utility scans your computer for duplicate photos and helps you remove them.
Eshe used a disk utility to repair errors on her external hard drive.
System administrators run utility programs to back up important data every night.
用法筆記
This sense takes modifiers specifying the tool's function: disk utility, file utility, backup utility, or system utility. Often countable (a utility, several utilities).
utility — adjective
1. good at playing multiple positions within a sports team.
good at playing multiple positions within a sports team.
The coach valued Caio as a utility player who could fill in anywhere.
collocation: utility player
Tanvi trained as a utility infielder, covering shortstop, second, and third base.
Stephanie made the team because of her utility role in both defence and attack.
A utility substitute on the bench must stay ready for any position at any time.
- versatile
broader term that applies to skills outside sports; utility specifically describes a player's role on a team
- multi-position
more descriptive but less common; utility is the standard term in sports reporting
用法筆記
Occurs primarily before nouns referring to team members: utility player, utility infielder, utility substitute. Not used predicatively (❌ 'He is utility').
2. designed or suitable for use in several different ways, often as a practical alt
designed or suitable for use in several different ways, often as a practical alternative to specialized items.
Charlotte bought a utility jacket with many pockets for hiking and camping trips.
utility jacket / utility vest
This utility knife has a blade that folds safely back into the handle.
They installed utility shelves in the garage to store tools and paint cans.
A utility vehicle can carry both passengers and equipment on rough mountain roads.
- multi-purpose
more explicit about having several functions; utility emphasizes practical, no-frills design
- all-purpose
suggests suitability for any situation; utility implies a focus on practical, everyday use
- practical
broader term about convenience and effectiveness; utility specifically describes the item's design philosophy
- specialized
designed for one specific purpose rather than multiple uses
用法筆記
Used before nouns for practical items: utility knife, utility vehicle, utility jacket. The item is designed for function across multiple tasks rather than a single specialized purpose.
3. built for practical use instead of for looks or fashion.
built for practical use instead of for looks or fashion.
Reuben chose utility furniture made of plain wood instead of fancy designer pieces.
utility furniture — furniture designed for function over appearance
The kitchen had a utility look with stainless steel shelves and bright overhead lights.
Utility clothing like simple cotton shirts and sturdy boots sells well among farmers.
The building's utility design focused on easy cleaning rather than visual beauty.
- utilitarian
more formal and slightly stronger in rejecting decoration; utility is the everyday term
- functional
broadly similar but lacks the specific connotation of deliberately avoiding ornament
- plain
focuses on appearance lacking decoration rather than the design philosophy
- decorative
designed for visual appeal rather than practical function
- ornamental
intended primarily for display rather than everyday use
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (MULTI-PURPOSE): sense 2 emphasizes 'usable for many tasks'; this sense emphasizes 'functional rather than decorative'. An item can be both multi-purpose and functional, but the guiding idea differs.
4. relating to a company or service that supplies electricity, gas, water, or simil
relating to a company or service that supplies electricity, gas, water, or similar essential resources.
The utility sector is heavily regulated by the national energy authority.
collocation: utility sector / utility industry
Utility workers were called out late at night to repair a broken gas pipe.
The city council voted to lower the tax on utility infrastructure projects.
Utility rates in this region have remained stable for the past five years.
- public-service
broader term that can include transport, postal services, etc.; utility specifically relates to energy and water
- energy
narrower than utility, covering only electricity and fuel but not water or sewage
用法筆記
Used as an attributive adjective (before a noun) to indicate the commercial or industrial aspect of utility services. Does not describe the service itself (noun/1 covers that) but rather related concepts: utility stocks, utility regulation, utility infrastructure.