utilitarian
utilitarian Lexical Profile
utilitarian Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive or ornamental.
"The office was furnished with simple, utilitarian desks and metal chairs."
Relating to or adhering to utilitarianism, the ethical doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or benefit the majority.
"From a strictly utilitarian perspective, the policy was justified because it improved living standards for the greatest number of citizens."
• noun
An adherent of utilitarianism, a person who believes that the moral worth of an action is determined by its contribution to overall utility and happiness.
"As a committed utilitarian, the philosopher argued that resources should be allocated where they do the most good."
• Rhymes for utilitarian
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 18th century by philosopher Jeremy Bentham from 'utility' (via Latin 'utilitas', meaning 'usefulness') plus the suffix '-arian', and later popularized by John Stuart Mill.