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Like disciplinarian, egalitarian, humanitarian and so on, today's utilitarian reminds us that the suffix "-ian" is for both adjectives and people-nouns. That is, you can have utilitarian things, or people who are utilitarians.
The same goes for _____ian, meaning either "majestic and godlike" or "a person with incredible talent." (Like Michael Phelps.)
make your point with...
"UTILITARIAN"
Something utile is useful. Utility is usefulness. To utilize something is to use it.
"Utilitarian" can simply mean "useful," but we'll focus on these two other meanings:
1. Something utilitarian is useful, but not too beautiful or pleasant.
2. Also, a utilitarian is a person who believes that usefulness is much more important than beauty or pleasantness.
Pronunciation:
you till ih TARE ee un
Part of speech:
First, it's an adjective.
(Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late."
They can be used in two ways:
1. Right before a noun, as in "a utilitarian thing."
2. After a linking verb, as in "It was utilitarian.")
Second, it's a countable noun: utilitarians are people.
Other forms:
utilitarians
How to use it:
Talk about utilitarian things, like utilitarian clothes and shoes, utilitarian desks and beds, utilitarian apps and websites, etc. A room, building, setting, or atmosphere might be utilitarian, and something might have a utilitarian appeal.
You could say something has a utilitarian purpose or fills a utilitarian need, but consider saying instead, simply, that it has a purpose or that it fills a need.
Occasionally you'll talk about utilitarian people, too: utilitarian politicians, a utilitarian instructor.
However, because "utilitarian" also means "person who values the usefulness of things," you can also simply call people utilitarians: "my dad is such a utilitarian," "that website will appeal only to utilitarians."
examples:
Who needs real furniture in college when you've got utilitarian plastic drawers? One set functioned as a dresser and a nightstand. I could even lift it by myself.
Pinterest-ready classrooms are exciting, of course, but if I were a student, I'd prefer the utilitarian ones--neat rows of desks, simple cups full of sharp #2 pencils, minimal distractions.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "utilitarian" means when you can explain it without saying "functional" or "without amenities."
try it out:
Think of something that works really well even though it's not fancy. Fill in the blanks: "(Item or method) is (adjective), (another adjective), and utilitarian."
Example: "My walking shoes are cheap, comfy, and utilitarian."
before you review:
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
This month, we’re playing with anagrams: rearrangements of the letters in a word to form new words. (For example, “care” has two anagrams: “acre” and “race.”) Looking for these makes you a stronger player in other word games. But more importantly, it helps you practice thinking flexibly and methodically. Plus you get to giggle at potential non-words and discover new real words. We’ll work our way from shorter to longer anagrams. And at any point if you wonder why I left out a word you wanted to list, or why I included a word you think isn’t a real one, hold your fire: our authority for this game is ScrabbleWordFinder.org, which draws from a highly inclusive dictionary. Let’s play!
From yesterday: What is the 1 anagram for APPEND?
Answer: NAPPED.
Try this one today: What is the 1 anagram for SNEAKY?
review today's word:
1. The exact opposite of UTILITARIAN is ANTI-UTILITARIAN. But another opposite of UTILITARIAN is
A. AESTHETIC
B. COMPREHENSIVE
C. PROPORTIONED
2. _____ earned her a reputation as a utilitarian.
A. Buying things on impulse
B. Rejecting all malformed Cheerios
C. Wearing sturdy Levi's bought in 1990
Answers are below.
a final word:
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. A
2. C
Like disciplinarian, egalitarian, humanitarian and so on, today's utilitarian reminds us that the suffix "-ian" is for both adjectives and people-nouns. That is, you can have utilitarian things, or people who are utilitarians.
"UTILITARIAN" Something utile is useful. Utility is usefulness. To utilize something is to use it. Pronunciation: Part of speech:
Who needs real furniture in college when you've got utilitarian plastic drawers? One set functioned as a dresser and a nightstand. I could even lift it by myself.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "utilitarian" means when you can explain it without saying "functional" or "without amenities."
Think of something that works really well even though it's not fancy. Fill in the blanks: "(Item or method) is (adjective), (another adjective), and utilitarian."
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
1. The exact opposite of UTILITARIAN is ANTI-UTILITARIAN. But another opposite of UTILITARIAN is
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
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