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.
But Mozart’s genius obliterates Salieri’s limited talent so utterly that the elder musician is bewitched by it.
From Salon • May 16, 2026
She “was shocked, heartbroken, and felt utterly betrayed,” and was motivated to reexamine and scrutinize archival “Avatar” materials.
From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026
“It’s utterly absurd,” said Jens Südekum, professor of international economics at Düsseldorf’s Heinrich Heine University and co-author of the stimulus plan.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026
The court said Tarrant's "proposed conviction appeal is utterly devoid of merit".
From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026
Bailey can tell the difference, and the fact that she remembers who he is makes him inexplicably and utterly pleased.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions 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.
