Words / B2

yoo-TIL-uh-tee/juːˈtɪləti/

A utility is a public service such as water, gas, or electricity: utility bills; a utility company. Utility also means usefulness (formal): of little utility. Useful is the everyday adjective. Do not mix utility with utilise (already in the dictionary). UK: energy utilities; Ofwat/Ofgem as regulators.

Meaning

A public service such as water, gas, or electricity; also usefulness (formal).

Examples

• “Utility bills rose faster than wages last winter.”
• “The extra module was of little utility for the exam, which is the usefulness sense.”

Good to know

utility bills / company; a public utility. Formal: of little utility = not useful. Mix-up: utilise. UK regulators: Ofgem / Ofwat. Not a gadget’s brand name.

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