utmost

[ uht-mohst or, esp. British, -muhst ]

/ ˈʌtˌmoʊst or, esp. British, -məst /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR utmost ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of the greatest or highest degree, quantity, or the like; greatest: of the utmost importance.

being at the farthest point or extremity; farthest: the utmost reef of the island.

noun

Also uttermost. the greatest degree or amount: the utmost that can be said; The hotel provides the utmost in comfort.

the most or best of one's abilities, powers, etc.: He did his utmost to finish on time.

the extreme limit or extent: His patience was taxed to the utmost.

Nearby words

Origin of utmost

before 900; Middle English utmest, Old English ūtemest. See out, -most

SYNONYMS FOR utmost

1. maximum, highest, foremost, chief, major.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR utmost ON THESAURUS.COM

Can be confusedupmost uppermost utmost

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for utmost

Lawler notes that in the Zoroastrian religion of the Persians, the rooster was of the utmost importance.
The History of the Chicken: How This Humble Bird Saved Humanity|William O’Connor|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
UPDATE: As of this writing, news of the utmost ghastliness has emerged from the Brazil camp.
Brazil and Colombia Bring the Ugly Game|Tunku Varadarajan|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For growing school-kids, healthy lunch is of utmost importance.
The Government is Still Failing Kids on School Lunches|Russell Saunders|May 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I don't get to spend my money or my time with utmost selfishness.
Mommy’s Little Secret? Coffee And Booze.|Sally Kohn|May 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I have the utmost respect for them as colleagues, and value the work they do immensely.
Why Nurses Should Be Able to Practice Without Doctors|Russell Saunders|May 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The latter immediately alighted, and advanced to meet him with the utmost respect.
Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada|Washington Irving
The swordfish and others frequently attack the whale with the utmost audacity.
Torrey's Narrative|William Torrey
Then, when expectation had reached its utmost point, there was a murmur.
Personal Reminiscences in Book Making|R.M. Ballantyne
This Blitheman perceiving that he had a natural geny to the faculty, spared neither time nor labor to advance it to the utmost.
Dealings With The Dead|A Sexton of the Old School
Exert yourself to the utmost—expend all the force that is within you—do your best—do your worst.
Nuggets of the New Thought|William Walker Atkinson,

British Dictionary definitions for utmost

utmost

uttermost

/ (ˈʌtˌməʊst) /

adjective (prenominal)

of the greatest possible degree or amountthe utmost degree

at the furthest limitthe utmost town on the peninsula

noun

the greatest possible degree, extent, or amounthe tried his utmost

Word Origin for utmost

Old English ūtemest, from ūte out + -mest most

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for utmost

utmost

Old English utmest (Anglian) "outermost," double superlative of ut "out" (see out) + -most.

utmost

adjective

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of utmost

Examples from the Web for utmost

utmost

uttermost

adjective (prenominal)

noun

Word Origin for utmost

utmost