utilities
yoo-TIL-ih-teez
/juːˈtɪlɪtiz/
Essential public services such as electricity, gas, water, and sewerage.
Refers to the ongoing, essential services required to make a home habitable, usually billed monthly based on usage.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'utilitas' (usefulness), from 'utilis' (useful). In modern contexts, it refers to the essential public services that make a home functional and useful.
Word relationships
- public services: Public services is a broader term that can include public transit, libraries, and police, while utilities specifically refers to infrastructure like water and power.
Commonly confused with
- utility: Utility (singular) refers to the state of being useful or profitable, while utilities (plural) refers to the public services.
Word family
- utility (noun): The state of being useful, profitable, or beneficial.
- utilize (verb): To make practical and effective use of.
Collocations
- public utilities
- utility bill
- utilities included
- hook up utilities
Example sentences
- "The rent is relatively cheap, but the cost of utilities like heating and electricity can add up quickly." Household expenses
- "One of the first things to do when you relocate is to set up accounts for your basic utilities." Setting up a new home
Memory hook
Think of 'utilities' as the things that make your house 'utilizable' (usable). Utilities keep the lights on.
When not to use
Do not use for luxury services like streaming subscriptions or gym memberships.
Fun facts
- In economic theory, 'utility' is a measure of satisfaction or value that a consumer gets from a good or service.
Explore more words
infrastructure, sanitation, utility, overhead, amenity, utilitarian
Also appears in
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