utter

[ uht-er ]

/ ˈʌt ər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR utter ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to give audible expression to; speak or pronounce: unable to utter her feelings; Words were uttered in my hearing.

to give forth (cries, notes, etc.) with the voice: to utter a sigh.

Phonetics. to produce (speech sounds, speechlike sounds, syllables, words, etc.) audibly, with or without reference to formal language.

to express (oneself or itself), especially in words.

to give forth (a sound) otherwise than with the voice: The engine uttered a shriek.

to express by written or printed words.

to make publicly known; publish: to utter a libel.

to put into circulation, as coins, notes, and especially counterfeit money or forged checks.

to expel; emit.

Obsolete. to publish, as a book.

Obsolete. to sell.

verb (used without object)

to employ the faculty of speech; use the voice to talk, make sounds, etc.: His piety prevented him from uttering on religion.

to sustain utterance; undergo speaking: Those ideas are so dishonest they will not utter.

Nearby words

utriculus, utrillo, utsunomiya, uttar pradesh, uttarakhand, utter, utter a word, utter barrister, utterance, uttering, utterly

Origin of utter

1350–1400; Middle English outren (see out, -er⁶); cognate with German äussern to declare

Related forms

ut·ter·a·ble, adjectiveut·ter·er, nounut·ter·less, adjectiveun·ut·tered, adjective

Can be confused

udder utter

Definition for utter (2 of 2)

utter

[ uht-er ]

/ ˈʌt ər /

adjective

complete; total; absolute: her utter abandonment to grief.

unconditional; unqualified: an utter denial.

Origin of utter

before 900; Middle English; Old English uttra, ūtera outer. See out, -er⁴

Related forms

ut·ter·ness, noun

Synonym study

1. See absolute.

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

Examples from the Web for utter

That was nothing compared to the utter destruction going on across town.
Raging Protesters Set Ferguson on Fire|Justin Glawe|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The utter lack of beds provides a vivid commentary on the extreme nature of Communism.
The Secret Soviet Power Bunker—in Latvia, a Hiding Place for the Elite|Brandon Presser|September 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The complete and utter lack of compassion or a clue exhibited by these people is shameful in the extreme.
The Psychology of Sex Slave Rings|Charlotte Lytton|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In fact, Lauer even ended up with a character arc of his own, involving his reluctance to utter the word “sharknado.”
‘Sharknado 2’ in Winter: Has the Franchise Jumped the Shark?|Jason Lynch|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Despite rumors spreading that his daughter is a harlot, Dill (Stanley Tucci) has complete and utter faith in her, no matter what.
The 13 Coolest Movie Dads: ‘Taken,’ ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Die Hard,’ and More|Marlow Stern|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He so disposed his divisions as to leave Buell in utter uncertainty as to his intentions.
The History of the Confederate War, Its Causes and Its Conduct, Volume II (of 2)|George Cary Eggleston
A single week convinced her of the utter futility of these efforts.
The Sick-a-Bed Lady|Eleanor Hallowell Abbott
But instead of that he was now on the verge of utter collapse.
Red Fox|Charles G. D. Roberts
His Excellency the Governor and his advisors have thus shown their utter inability to understand the economic needs of the island.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 4, 1919|Various
Assailed in front and in flank, hemmed in by the fatal morass in the rear, the Spaniards were thrown into utter confusion.
History of the Reign of Philip the Second, King of Spain.|William H. Prescott

British Dictionary definitions for utter (1 of 2)

utter

/ (ˈʌtə) /

verb

to give audible expression to (something)to utter a growl

criminal law to put into circulation (counterfeit coin, forged banknotes, etc)

(tr) to make publicly known; publishto utter slander

obsolete to give forth, issue, or emit

Derived Forms

utterable, adjectiveutterableness, nounutterer, nounutterless, adjective

Word Origin for utter

C14: probably originally a commercial term, from Middle Dutch ūteren (modern Dutch uiteren) to make known; related to Middle Low German ūtern to sell, show

British Dictionary definitions for utter (2 of 2)

utter

/ (ˈʌtə) /

adjective

(prenominal) (intensifier)an utter fool; utter bliss; the utter limit

Word Origin for utter

C15: from Old English utera outer, comparative of ūte out (adv); related to Old High German ūzaro, Old Norse ūtri

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

utter

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of utter

Related forms

Can be confused

Definition for utter (2 of 2)

utter

adjective

Origin of utter

Related forms

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for utter

British Dictionary definitions for utter (1 of 2)

utter

verb

Derived Forms

Word Origin for utter

British Dictionary definitions for utter (2 of 2)

utter

adjective

Word Origin for utter