utility

A basic service supplied to buildings, such as water, gas, or electricity.

• Our rent includes utilities.
• Electricity is an essential public utility.
• How much do you spend on utilities each month?

Similar words: public service

Common phrases: public utility, essential utility, utility costs

A small computer program that helps you do a task, such as copying files or setting up equipment.

• This utility copies your files.
• I installed a utility to check the disk.
• Which utility can help me set up my printer?

Similar words: tool, utility program

Common phrases: backup utility, disk utility, install a utility, system utility

How useful something is, or the practical value it has.

• This tool has little utility.
• The design combines beauty with practical utility.
• Researchers assessed the utility of the new method.

How to use it: the utility of something (We questioned the utility of the new rule.)

Similar words: usefulness, practical value

Opposites: uselessness

Common phrases: practical utility, limited utility, utility of something

A computer program used for practical or creative work, rather than for playing games.

• This graphics utility is free.
• She uses a music utility to edit her recordings.
• The package includes games and several creative utilities.

Similar words: application, program, tool

Common phrases: graphics utility, music utility, useful utility

Connected with a company that supplies water, gas, or electricity.

• The utility bill arrived today.
• Workers repaired a damaged utility line.
• Which utility company supplies your electricity?

Similar words: usefulness, value, advantages, benefit

Common phrases: utility bill, utility company, utility line, utility pole

Used to hold or carry a building's pipes, wires, or equipment for heating and other basic services.

• The boiler is in the utility room.
• Pipes run through a narrow utility corridor.
• Leave enough utility space for the water tank.

Similar words: service

Common phrases: utility room, utility corridor, utility space, utility shaft