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

Explanation

Utmost means "the greatest extent or amount." When you work as hard as you possibly can, you do your utmost to accomplish your goal. Whenever something is the most, it can be described as the utmost. If a message is of the utmost importance, it's as important as it possibly can be. Any time you want to really want to emphasize that you believe in something more than anything else or truly intend to do something, do your utmost to use the word utmost.

Example Sentences

As well as the presents, Jet2 sent the family free flight vouchers and thanked them for "showing the utmost compassion and kindness and care".

From BBC • May 5, 2026

Lufthansa offered its "regret" said it had embarked on an internal search "with the utmost care and urgency" to recover the Oscar.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

That’s why their nutrition must be of utmost priority.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

Barron said getting the placement of the sculpture just right was of utmost importance to the museum and the Calder Foundation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

I had now scrambled outside the tent—and could see others running through the lanes between companies, screaming and making signs of utmost alarm in the gloaming.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

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