Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

normally:Social progress is normally a matter of struggles and conflicts.

generally:I generally say and feel too much about these issues.

commonly:Parsley is probably the most commonly used of all herbs.

usurp /juːzɜː ^r p/ (usurps , usurping , usurped ) VERB If you say that someone usurps a job, role, title, or position, they take it from someone when they have no right to do this. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Did she usurp his place in his mother's heart?

usurp|er /juːzɜː ^r pə ^r / (usurpers ) N‑COUNT A usurper is someone who takes another person's title or position when they have no right to. [FORMAL ]

usu|ry /juː ʒəri/ N‑UNCOUNT Usury is the practice of lending money at a high rate of interest. [DISAPPROVAL ]

ute /juː t/ (utes ) N‑COUNT A ute is a vehicle that is designed to travel over rough ground. Ute is an abbreviation for 'utility vehicle'. [AUSTRALIAN , INFORMAL ]

uten|sil /juːte ns ^ə l/ (utensils ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Utensils are tools or objects that you use in order to help you to cook or to do other tasks in your home. □  …utensils such as bowls, steamers and frying pans.

u|ter|ine /juː təra I n, [AM ] -r I n/ ADJ Uterine means relating to the uterus of a woman or female mammal. [MEDICAL ]

uter|us /juː tərəs/ (uteruses ) N‑COUNT The uterus of a woman or female mammal is her womb. [MEDICAL ] □  …an ultrasound scan of the uterus.

uti|lise /juː t I la I z/ → see utilize

utili|tar|ian /juː t I l I teə riən/ (utilitarians )

1 ADJ Utilitarian means based on the idea that the morally correct course of action is the one that produces benefit for the greatest number of people. [TECHNICAL ] □  It was James Mill who was the best publicist for utilitarian ideas on government. ● N‑COUNT A utilitarian is someone with utilitarian views. □  One of the greatest utilitarians was Claude Helvetius.

2 ADJ Utilitarian objects and buildings are designed to be useful rather than attractive. □  Bruce's office is a corner one, utilitarian and unglamorous.

utili|tari|an|ism /juː t I l I teə riən I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Utilitarianism is the idea that the morally correct course of action is the one that produces benefit for the greatest number of people. [TECHNICAL ]

util|ity /juːt I l I ti/ (utilities )

1 N‑UNCOUNT The utility of something is its usefulness. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Belief in the utility of higher education is shared by students nationwide. □ [+ of ] He inwardly questioned the utility of his work.

2 N‑COUNT A utility is an important service such as water, electricity, or gas that is provided for everyone, and that everyone pays for. □  …public utilities such as gas, electricity and phones.

uti l|ity room (utility rooms ) N‑COUNT A utility room is a room in a house which is usually connected to the kitchen and which contains things such as a washing machine, sink, and cleaning equipment.

uti l|ity ve |hi|cle (utility vehicles ) N‑COUNT A utility vehicle is a vehicle that is designed to travel over rough ground. [AUSTRALIAN ]

uti|lize /juː t I la I z/ (utilizes , utilizing , utilized ) in BRIT, also use utilise VERB If you utilize something, you use it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Sound engineers utilize a range of techniques to enhance the quality of the recordings. □ [be V -ed] Minerals can be absorbed and utilized by the body in a variety of different forms. ●  uti|li|za|tion /juː t I la I ze I ʃ ^ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft n N ] □ [+ of ] …the utilisation of human resources.

ut|most /ʌ tmoʊst/