disutility

[ dis-yoo-til-i-tee ]

noun

1. the quality of causing inconvenience, harm, distress, etc.

disutility

/ ˌdɪsjuːˈtɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. economics Compare utility
   1. the shortcomings of a commodity or activity in satisfying human wants
   2. the degree to which a commodity or activity fails to satisfy human wants

Word History and Origins

Origin of disutility¹

First recorded in 1875–80; dis- ¹ + utility

Example Sentences

When more people use a given amount of consumers' wealth, values, measured in ultimate units of utility or disutility, rise.

From Project Gutenberg

The answer is determined by the balance of utility and disutility.

From Project Gutenberg

On the contrary, with the bringing in of disutility of production, we have the doctrine of the earlier English School revived.

From Project Gutenberg

The "total effective utility" of the producer's product equals the "total effective disutility" of his pains of acquisition.

From Project Gutenberg

The explanation of superstitions must hold of all false beliefs, whatever their utility or disutility.

From Project Gutenberg