What does utilitarian mean?
Word: Utilitarian
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Utilitarian means made to be practical and useful rather than pretty.
How do you spell utilitarian?
Syllables: u - til - i - tar - i - an
Tricky part: The stressed beat near the end is spelt tar with an a, though pupils often write ter.
Watch out for: utiliterian, utilitarion
Memory tip: A tar road is built to be useful, not pretty, so let tar sit near the end of the word.
Utilitarian in a sentence
Example 1: The canteen has plain, utilitarian steel tables that are easy to wipe.
Example 2: My father prefers a utilitarian watch that shows the time and nothing else.
Example 3: Railway platforms of that period were utilitarian, with bare walls and simple benches.
Fun Fact
The English thinker Jeremy Bentham is usually credited with the word, in a letter of 1781. He used it for his idea that actions should be judged by how much happiness they bring.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
ut_l_tarian
a) i, i
b) i, e
c) a, i
d) e, i
Show answer
a) i, i. The same vowel fills both gaps in this word.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
utillitarian
a) r
b) t
c) l
d) n
Show answer
c) l. Utility has one l, and so does this word.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
The new bus shelter is plain and iinatrtiaul, with a simple tin roof.
a) utilitarian
b) vegetarian
c) librarian
d) veterinarian
Show answer
a) utilitarian. The jumble has a u and two t's and no g, b or v, which settles it.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word utilitarian as used in the sentence:
The hostel's utilitarian dining hall had plain walls and long steel benches.
a) functional
b) ornate
c) sensible
d) workaday
Show answer
b) ornate. Ornate means covered in fancy detail, the reverse of plain and practical.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which item best deserves this label?
a) a jewelled hair clip
b) a gold-edged party invitation
c) a painted silk fan
d) a plain steel water bottle
Show answer
d) a plain steel water bottle
2. A critic says a new hall looks utilitarian. What is the likely complaint?
a) It was built too long ago.
b) It stands too close to the road.
c) It looks plain and has little charm.
d) It is far too costly to heat.
Show answer
c) It looks plain and has little charm.
