utility rates — The prices charged by companies for essential services such as electricity, gas, and water
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: The prices charged by companies for essential services such as electricity, gas, and water
Pronunciation (IPA): /juːˈtɪl.ə.ti reɪts/
Example Sentences
- My roommate never turns off the lights, so our utility rates are through the roof this month!
- Utility rates in this city have increased by 15% due to inflation and rising energy costs.
- I tried explaining utility rates to my dog, but he just stared at me and kept using the water fountain.
utility rates
NOUN[/juːˈtɪl.ə.ti reɪts/]
The prices charged by companies for essential services such as electricity, gas, and water
The family stares at the bill as utility rates keep climbing every month.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Utility derives from Latin utilis (useful, serviceable), while rates comes from Old French rate (price, proportion). Originally utility meant usefulness or practicality, but after the Industrial Revolution it came to denote essential public services like electricity, gas, and water, evolving into the modern sense of charges for such services.
Breakdown
util- (Latin utilis, useful) + -ity (noun-forming suffix indicating a state or quality) + rate (Old French, meaning price or proportion) + -s (plural marker).
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My roommate never turns off the lights, so our utility rates are through the roof this month!”
“Utility rates in this city have increased by 15% due to inflation and rising energy costs.”
“I tried explaining utility rates to my dog, but he just stared at me and kept using the water fountain.”
“The committee is reviewing proposals to make utility rates more affordable for elderly citizens.”
📚Related Words
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