nonutilitarian

adjective

non·​util·​i·​tar·​i·​an ˌnän-(ˌ)yü-ˌti-lə-ˈter-ē-ən How to pronounce nonutilitarian (audio)
: not utilitarian
especially : characterized by or aiming at beauty or ornament rather than utility
His production over the years has included upholstery, suiting, and rugs, but most of his objects are strictly nonutilitarian. The Encyclopedia of American Art

Examples of nonutilitarian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
More broadly, have these nonutilitarian requests prompted any future plans for Alexa? Laura Stevens, WSJ, 23 Oct. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonutilitarian was circa 1866

Dictionary Entries Near nonutilitarian

Cite this Entry

“Nonutilitarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonutilitarian. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

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