Definition of utilitarian
: an advocate or adherent of utilitarianism
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Recent Examples of utilitarian from the Web
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Consequentialists—including utilitarians, the most famous kind—are concerned with the outcomes and consequences of actions first and foremost.
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Besides, as long as these readers really are utilitarians and not Kantians, there’s nothing to stop them from quietly resubscribing in a month or two.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'utilitarian.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of utilitarian
circa 1780
Definition of utilitarian
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
Recent Examples of utilitarian from the Web
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But most would probably be slim, simple, and utilitarian.
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Modern street lighting, with its tall, utilitarian poles, just is not the same.
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With no basement, attic or spare room, unglamorous documents have no home and can end up stacked in plain sight in utilitarian boxes, unattractive reminders of the bureaucracy of life.
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The Lands’ End catalog has reverted to its utilitarian style with product shots and descriptive text.
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In fact, all utilitarian pieces in your home should be beautiful.
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Hosting an outdoor party on the balcony or in the backyard has often involved utilitarian paper goods and plastic plates, and a table set with a mishmash of random bowls and tea lights.
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Even behind the big men in suits, Kim could be spotted from a mile away in a bright electric blue wrap coat featuring a waist tie and utilitarian pockets with her go-to biker shorts.
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According to the patent and trademark office, scents that serve a utilitarian purpose - like the scent of perfume or an air freshener - serve a function and cannot be registered as trademarks.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'utilitarian.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of utilitarian
1802
UTILITARIAN Defined for English Language Learners
utilitarian
Definition of utilitarian for English Language Learners
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: made to be useful rather than to be decorative or comfortable
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philosophy : of or relating to utilitarianism
Learn More about utilitarian
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See words that rhyme with utilitarian Spanish Central: Translation of utilitarian Nglish: Translation of utilitarian for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of utilitarian for Arabic speakers
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