utmost

American  

[uht-mohst, -muhst] / ˈʌtˌmoʊst, -məst /

adjective

1. of the greatest or highest degree, quantity, or the like; greatest.

   of the utmost importance.

   Synonyms:

   major, chief, foremost, maximum

2. being at the farthest point or extremity; farthest.

   the utmost reef of the island.

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noun

1. Also the greatest degree or amount.

   the utmost that can be said;

   The hotel provides the utmost in comfort.

2. the most or best of one's abilities, powers, etc..

   He did his utmost to finish on time.

3. the extreme limit or extent.

   His patience was taxed to the utmost.

utmost British  

/ ˈʌtˌməʊst /

adjective

1. of the greatest possible degree or amount

   the utmost degree

2. at the furthest limit

   the utmost town on the peninsula

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noun

1. the greatest possible degree, extent, or amount

   he tried his utmost

Etymology

Origin of utmost

First recorded before 900; Middle English utmest, Old English ūtemest; equivalent to out + -most

Example Sentences

Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot paid tribute to the lorry driver killed in the Landes region and appealed to the public to "exercise utmost caution when travelling and check with their transport operator before any journey".

From BBC

Daddy kept staring hard out the window, like he was searching for something of the utmost importance.

From Literature

“I want to thank you so much for coming in and for giving us the chance to reassure you that the health and welfare of our residents is of the utmost importance,” she began.

From Literature

They said they came from the government in Accra with news of the utmost importance.

From Literature

The official position from Buckingham Palace remains that the King and Queen's "thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse".

From BBC

Related Words

• absolute
• all-out
• sheer
• ultimate
• unconditional