utterly
Americanadverb
adverb
Etymology
Origin of utterly
A Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; see origin at utter 2, -ly
Explanation
Utterly is an intensifying word: something utterly delicious is very, very delicious. One thing people love to do is exaggerate. You often hear people talking about how awesome or awful things are. When you're laying it on thick, utterly is an utterly useful word: it means something similar to completely, totally, or very. Something utterly disappointing is extremely disappointing. Something utterly wonderful is wonderful times ten. When you get tired of writing very, utterly is a good word choice.
Vocabulary lists containing utterly
A Long Walk to Water
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The Diary of Anne Frank
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"Easter, 1916" by W.B. Yeats
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Take a You Can See Everything Rorschach test: Everyone in the Elizabeth Holmes documentary is playing a character, but only one performer is utterly convincing.
From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2026
Lilly was previously described as "the most beautiful, kind and caring little girl", who was "completely and utterly herself".
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026
And it’s a solid example of Mr. Webb’s gift for being utterly unorthodox while wrangling the ears of a mainstream audience.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026
If these death row inmates are utterly changed — no longer dangerous, and hopeful of contributing to society — what purpose does it serve for the state to execute them?
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026
"This alone was enough for me to condemn it utterly and doom it forever," he reflected.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
