utilité

usefulness, utility

noun yoo-tee-lee-TEH Rare

Origin: From Latin 'utilitas' (usefulness)

Usage Note

Utilité is often used in the phrase d'utilité publique (in the public interest), a legal status granted to French associations. The adjective utile means 'useful', and inutilité is the antonym. En quoi est-ce d'une quelconque utilité? is a common rhetorical expression.

Examples

"Je ne vois pas l'utilité de cette réunion."

Natural Translation

I don't see the point of this meeting.

Literal Translation

I don't see the usefulness of this meeting.

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