utilitarian

1 of 2

noun

util·​i·​tar·​i·​an (ˌ)yü-ˌti-lə-ˈter-ē-ən 

: 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

Noun

Lighting should go beyond the utilitarian and make a statement with its style and scale. —Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 June 2025

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

Adjective

Qiuhao Qiuhao quietly opened fashion week with a strong collection mining the idea of utilitarian aspects of Chinese traditional garments in the 1930s, which were subtly influenced by the Art Deco movement. —Denni Hu, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025

In the last five years, many have morphed from clean but utilitarian stopping points where pilots could grab a cup of coffee between flights, or aircraft owners could do a quick Zoom call before heading on a business trip. —Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1780, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for utilitarian

• authoritarian
• communitarian
• disciplinarian
• egalitarian
• equalitarian
• humanitarian
• majoritarian
• octogenarian
• parliamentarian
• radiolarian
• totalitarian
• agrarian

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