Quick Scoop
**Utility** means **usefulness** or the ability of
something to satisfy a need. In economics, it means the **satisfaction** a
person gets from a good or service.
Common meanings
| Meaning | Simple
explanation | Example |
| Everyday use | How
useful something is. | A phone has utility because it helps you
communicate. | [1]
| Economics | The satisfaction or
benefit a person gets from consuming something. | You may get more
utility from lunch than from a snack. | [2][6]
| Public
services | Services like water, electricity, gas, or internet. |
People pay utility bills for electricity and water. | [5][9]
| Computing | A small program that helps perform a task. |
File recovery tools are utilities. | [9][5]
In one
line
If you mean it generally, **utility = usefulness** ; if you mean it
in economics, **utility = satisfaction or value from a choice**.
Example
A raincoat has utility because it keeps you dry. A cold drink
may have utility because it makes you feel better on a hot day.