1. not based on or concerned with usefulness or practical benefit; not motivated by utility or efficiency
Usage: formal; often used in philosophical or ethical contexts

Examples

• The artist's nonutilitarian approach to design prioritized beauty over function.
• Some philosophers argue that moral decisions should not be purely utilitarian or nonutilitarian.
• The museum displayed nonutilitarian objects valued for their cultural and historical significance.
• Her nonutilitarian spending habits reflected her belief that life is about more than efficiency.
• The architect incorporated nonutilitarian elements into the building to enhance its aesthetic appeal.
• Nonutilitarian art forms like poetry and sculpture have intrinsic value beyond practical use.