Usefulness vs. Utility — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 15, 2023
Usefulness refers to the quality of being practical and beneficial for specific purposes. Utility is a broader term that describes the ability of something to satisfy needs or wants, often measured in economic terms.
Difference Between Usefulness and Utility
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Usefulness is a term that specifically highlights the practical benefits something provides in a particular context. It usually relates to the improvement of a situation or the solving of a problem. Utility, on the other hand, is more of an overarching concept that discusses the ability to satisfy a broad range of needs and wants, often measured and analyzed in economic contexts.
Usefulness can be subjective and situational; it can change based on different conditions or requirements. Utility, however, often aims to be an objective measure, particularly in economic theory, where it is used to evaluate the satisfaction or happiness gained from goods and services.
Usefulness tends to be a simpler, more everyday term. It often appears in casual discussions and is readily understood by people without specialized training. Utility is frequently used in specialized fields like economics, engineering, or computer science and may involve specific metrics for measurement.
Grammatically, both usefulness and utility serve as nouns. However, usefulness often appears as an adjective in its root form, "useful," while utility does not commonly adopt an adjectival form. Utility can, however, be used more frequently as a collective noun, such as in the phrase "public utilities."
Comparison Chart
Focus
Specific, practical benefits
Broad range of needs and wants
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Subjectivity
Often subjective and situational
Aims to be objective
Context
General, everyday discussions
Specialized fields like economics
Grammatical Role
Noun, often appears as an adjective ("useful")
Noun, seldom appears as an adjective
Collective Usage
Less likely to be used collectively
Often used collectively (e.g., "public utilities")
Compare with Definitions
Usefulness
The quality of being beneficial for specific tasks.
The usefulness of the tool was apparent when it fixed the problem.
Utility
The ability to satisfy needs or wants.
The utility of the invention was groundbreaking.
Usefulness
The aspect of being practical.
The usefulness of her advice was invaluable.
Utility
The quality of being functional and efficient.
The utility of the machine was high.
Usefulness
The trait of serving a purpose well.
The usefulness of the app was undisputed.
Utility
A term used in specialized fields to describe usefulness.
In economics, utility is a key concept.
Usefulness
The feature of contributing positively.
The usefulness of exercise cannot be overstated.
Utility
A service provided to the public.
Electricity is a basic utility.
Usefulness
The characteristic of improving a situation.
The usefulness of the new law became evident.
Utility
Within economics, the concept of utility is used to model worth or value. Its usage has evolved significantly over time.
Usefulness
Having a beneficial use; serviceable
A useful kitchen gadget.
Utility
The quality or condition of being useful; usefulness
"I have always doubted the utility of these conferences on disarmament" (Winston S. Churchill).
Usefulness
Being of practical use
A useful job.
Useful members of society.
Utility
A useful article or device.
Usefulness
The quality or degree of being useful.
The usefulness of his latest reorganisation has been disputed.
Utility
A public utility.
Usefulness
The quality or state of being useful; utility; serviceableness; advantage.
Utility
A commodity or service, such as electricity, water, or public transportation, that is provided by a public utility.
Usefulness
The quality of being of practical use
Utility
(Computers) A utility program.
Utility
(Economics) The benefit that a chosen course of action affords, as subjectively judged by the chooser.
Utility
Prepared to play any of the smaller theatrical roles on short notice
A utility cast member.
Utility
Capable of playing as a substitute in any of several positions
A utility infielder.
Utility
Designed for various often heavy-duty practical uses
A utility knife.
A utility vehicle.
Utility
Raised or kept for the production of a farm product rather than for show or as pets
Utility livestock.
Utility
Of the lowest US Government grade
Utility beef.
Utility
The state or condition of being useful; usefulness.
Utility
Something that is useful.
Utility
(economics) The ability of a commodity to satisfy needs or wants; the satisfaction experienced by the consumer of that commodity.
Utility
(philosophy) Well-being, satisfaction, pleasure, or happiness.
Utility
A natural or legal areal monopoly distributer of a commodity (less often a service) delivered in continuous flows to multiple consumers from a common physical, infrastructural network, such as an electric company or water company; or, the securities of such a provider.
Utility
(computing) A software program designed to perform a single task or a small range of tasks, often to help manage and tune computer hardware, an operating system or application software.
I've bought a new disk utility that can recover deleted files.
Utility
(sports) The ability to play multiple positions.
Utility
Having to do with, or owned by, a service provider.
Utility line; utility bill
Utility
(Of a building or its components) containing or intended for any of a building’s often-utility-related commodity transport, such as pipes or wires, or converting equipment, such as furnaces, water tanks or heaters, circuit breakers, central air conditioning units, laundry facilities, etc.
Utility room; utility corridor
Utility
Functional rather than attractive.
Utility
The quality or state of being useful; usefulness; production of good; profitableness to some valuable end; as, the utility of manure upon land; the utility of the sciences; the utility of medicines.
The utility of the enterprises was, however, so great and obvious that all opposition proved useless.
Utility
Adaptation to satisfy the desires or wants; intrinsic value. See Note under Value, 2.
Value in use is utility, and nothing else, and in political economy should be called by that name and no other.
Utility
Happiness; the greatest good, or happiness, of the greatest number, - the foundation of utilitarianism.
Utility
A company that performs a public service; subject to government regulation
Utility
The quality of being of practical use
Utility
The service provided by a utility company;
The cost of utilities never decreases
Utility
(economics) a measure that is to be maximized in any situation involving choice
Utility
(computer science) a program designed for general support of the processes of a computer;
A computer system provides utility programs to perform the tasks needed by most users
Utility
A facility composed of one or more pieces of equipment connected to or part of a structure and designed to provide a service such as heat or electricity or water or sewage disposal;
The price of the house included all utilities
Utility
Used of beef; usable but inferior
Utility
Capable of substituting in any of several positions on a team;
A utility infielder
Utility
A measurement of satisfaction in economic terms.
The utility derived from the first slice of pizza is always the greatest.
Common Curiosities
What is Usefulness?
Usefulness refers to the quality of being practical and beneficial for specific tasks.
What is Utility?
Utility is the ability of something to satisfy needs or wants, often measured economically.
Is Utility objective?
Utility aims to be objective, especially in economic contexts.
In what contexts is Usefulness commonly used?
Usefulness is commonly used in everyday discussions.
In what fields is Utility commonly used?
Utility is commonly used in specialized fields like economics and engineering.
What's the grammatical role of Usefulness?
Usefulness is a noun and often appears in its adjectival form, "useful."
Can Utility be collective?
Utility can be used collectively, as in "public utilities."
Can Usefulness be measured?
Usefulness is usually qualitative, although it can be subjectively assessed.
Can Usefulness change over time?
Yes, the usefulness of something can change based on conditions or needs.
Is Usefulness subjective?
Usefulness can often be subjective and situational.
Can Usefulness be collective?
Usefulness is less often used as a collective term.
Is Utility measurable?
In economics, utility is often measured using specific metrics.
Is Utility constant?
Utility can vary based on different factors such as availability and preference.
Is Usefulness a simpler term than Utility?
Usefulness is generally a simpler, more accessible term compared to utility.
What's the grammatical role of Utility?
Utility is primarily used as a noun.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
