
utility
词源
源自拉丁语 'utilitas',意为'有用性'或'利益',后经古法语 'utilité' 进入英语。
noun
❶ 指某物的实用性或有用性,强调其能满足特定需求或解决问题的功能价值。
“The utility of this tool lies in its ability to fix multiple problems.”
(这个工具的实用性在于它能解决多种问题。)
“She questioned the utility of buying such an expensive device.”
(她质疑购买这么昂贵的设备是否有用。)
❶ 指公用事业,如水电、燃气等提供基本生活服务的公司或系统。
“The city's utility company provides electricity and water to all residents.”
(该市的公用事业公司为所有居民提供电力和水。)
“The storm caused major damage to the local utilities.”
(风暴对当地的公用事业设施造成了严重破坏。)
adjective
❶ 形容某物具有实用功能,通常设计简单且注重实用性而非外观。
“He wore a utility jacket with many pockets for his tools.”
(他穿了一件多口袋的工具夹克,非常实用。)
“The kitchen was designed with utility in mind, not style.”
(这个厨房的设计注重实用性而非风格。)
常见短语
utility room — 指家庭中用于存放杂物或进行洗衣等日常事务的房间,通常不用于居住。
“She keeps the vacuum cleaner and laundry supplies in the utility room.”
(她把吸尘器和洗衣用品放在杂物间里。)
public utility — 指由政府或私营公司提供的公共服务,如电力、供水、公共交通等。
“The city council oversees the operation of public utilities.”
(市议会监督公共事业的运营。)