Synonyms of utensil

utensil

noun

yu̇-ˈten(t)-səl 

as in tool

an article intended for use in work

participants in the class must supply their own writing utensils

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tool
• device
• instrument
• gadget
• implement
• mechanism
• apparatus
• appliance
• accessory
• contraption
• appendage
• jigger
• gizmo
• gismo
• contrivance
• attachment
• accessary
• adjunct
• accouterment
• accoutrement

Synonym Chooser

How is the word utensil different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of utensil are appliance, implement, instrument, and tool. While all these words mean "a relatively simple device for performing work," utensil applies to a device used in domestic work or some routine unskilled activity.

kitchen utensils

When is appliance a more appropriate choice than utensil?

While the synonyms appliance and utensil are close in meaning, appliance refers to a tool or instrument utilizing a power source and suggests portability or temporary attachment.

household appliances

When would implement be a good substitute for utensil?

The words implement and utensil can be used in similar contexts, but implement may apply to anything necessary to perform a task.

crude stone implements

farm implements

When might instrument be a better fit than utensil?

While in some cases nearly identical to utensil, instrument suggests a device capable of delicate or precise work.

the dentist's instruments

How do tool and implement relate to one another, in the sense of utensil?

Tool suggests an implement adapted to facilitate a definite kind or stage of work and suggests the need of skill more strongly than implement.

a carpenter's tools

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of utensil

If your dishwasher has an upper third rack for utensils, Sala says to lay knives and cutlery there to avoid safety hazards and free up space in the silverware caddy. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2025

Small knives and other utensils were found stored under a paper towel dispenser at a kitchen hand-washing sink. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025

This innovative utensil uses a mild electric current to simulate a salty taste without adding sodium, offering a potential breakthrough for those on low-sodium diets. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

Plus, other essentials like a set of bamboo cutting boards, a knife block set, and a set of various cooking utensils are on sale for a fraction of the price. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2025