I. (ˌ)yüˌtiləˈterēən, -ˈta(a)r-, -ˈtār- noun
( -s )
Etymology: utility + -arian
1. : one that believes in, advocates, or follows the doctrine of utilitarianism
the original utilitarians … believed that each individual was the best judge of his own welfare — E.S.Griffith
2. : a person who has a utilitarian outlook
II. (|) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ adjective
1.
a. : of, relating to, or based upon the doctrine of utilitarianism
on the utilitarian theory of obligation all duties are subordinate to one: maximize good consequences — O.A.Johnson
first exponent of utilitarian political theory — Times Literary Supplement
b. : believing in, advocating, or supporting the doctrine of utilitarianism
utilitarian philosophers
2. : marked by a prevalence of the doctrines, principles, or views of utilitarianism
love of truth for its own sake is … becoming rarer in this hasty utilitarian age — M.R.Cohen
a utilitarian culture
3.
a. : of or relating to utility : concerned with practical things or material interests
humanistic vs. utilitarian education — J.E.Tobin
a utilitarian point of view
b.
(1) : characterized by or aiming at utility as distinguished from beauty or ornament
her dark abundant hair was skewered into a utilitarian knob — Edna Ferber
an essentially utilitarian and only accidentally aesthetic end — Stanley Morison
utilitarian steel tables
(2) : evincing or characterized by a regard for utility of a lower kind : marked by a sordid spirit
utilitarian narrowness
a utilitarian indifference to art
c. : preferring such utility
a utilitarian people who are concerned more with getting on in the world and seducing women than with theology and a decent meal — Thomas Sugrue