用途|ようとyouto[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounuse; service; purpose
   その発見はっけんはいろいろな用途ようとに応用おうようできる。↗

   We can apply the discovery to various uses.

• Synonym使い道つかいみちNeutralFor what a thing or money can be used for, as in 「お金の使い道」; common in speech, whereas 「用途」 leans formal.
• Synonym効用こうようWrittenUtility or benefit, as in 「薬の効用」; stresses the effect or good something brings. Written register.
• Related使い方つかいかたNeutralThe method or manner of using something, also how to handle people; 「用途」 is about what something is used for.
• Related用法ようほうWrittenHow to use something, as in the 「用法・用量」 on medicine or 「語の用法」; a written term typical of instructions.
• Related役割やくわりNeutralThe role or duties a person or organization takes on, stressing the division of roles.
• Related機能きのうNeutralThe functions or capabilities something has, as in 「機能が多い」; focuses on performance.
• Related目的もくてきNeutralThe goal or aim you want to achieve, stressing intent; 「用途」 stresses what a thing is useful for.
• Related狙いねらいNeutralThe target or aim one has in mind, as in 「狙いを定める」; carries a strategic nuance.
• Related趣旨しゅしWrittenThe gist or intent of a text or event, as in 「会の趣旨」; formal, found in written prose.
• Related働きはたらきNeutralHow something functions or works, as in 「脳の働き」; also refers to work performance.
• Related役目やくめNeutralA duty or task one is expected to fulfill, as in 「役目を果たす」.
• Related使いどころつかいどころNeutralRefers to the situation or occasion where something is best used, as in 「使いどころが難しい」.
• RelatedファンクションNeutralA loanword for function or a mathematical function; used mostly in computing.

Use 「用途」 for what a thing is used for. For ways to spend money say 「使い道」 in speech; for how to use something, 「使い方」 or 「用法」; for a thing's functions, 「機能」; for people's duties, 「役割」 or 「役目」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. （ようと）物ものや金かねの使い道つかいみち。