User Became a Word for People Only With Computers
A user is one who uses something. Applied to people, the term is a recent habit.
A user is a person who uses something, particularly a computer system or a drug. The word existed for centuries in legal and general use, but calling a person simply *the user* is a computing habit: it treats the human as an interchangeable role rather than an individual, which is exactly what system design requires. Some designers object that no other industry names its customers after what they do to the product. Latin *uti*, to use, also gives *utility*, *usual*, *abuse* and *utensil*.
- One who uses. *A system user.*
- A drug user. *A drug user.*
- User interface. *The user interface.*
- Usable. *Usable.*
- Latin — *uti*, to use. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | user | A user. |
| Plural | users | Users. |
| Verb | use | To use. |
| Adjective | usable | Usable. |
| Latin | uti | To use. |
- The user clicked the button.Computing.
- Uti means to use.Etymology.
- A user-friendly design.Compound.
The uti family
- Use — to employ for a purpose
- Utility — usefulness
- Utensil — a thing for using
- Abuse — to use away from the proper purpose
- Usual — what is customarily used
From *use*, from Latin *uti*, to make use of, through Old French *user*.
Why do designers dislike the word user?
Because it names people by what they do to a product, treating them as an interchangeable role rather than individuals.
Is utensil related?
Yes. Both come from Latin uti, to use; a utensil is literally a thing for using.