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utmost

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈətˌmoʊst// UK //ˈʌtməʊst// ut·most

adj. the greatest possible amount or degree. You use it to show that something is at its absolute limit.

adj. of the greatest possible degree, amount, or extent. Typically used attributively before a noun.


SIMPLE

She showed the utmost respect for her elders.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager gave the project his utmost attention to ensure no details were missed.

COMPLEX

In times of crisis, leaders must demonstrate the utmost courage, balancing decisive action with a deep sense of responsibility for their communities.

Synonyms
Origin

PIE word *úd From Middle English utmost, utemest [and other forms], from Old English ūtmest, ūtemest [and other forms], from ūt, ūte (“out; outdoors, outside”) + -mest (suffix meaning ‘furthest’, used to form superlatives of some adjectives) (and conflated with most). Ūt is derived from Proto-Germanic ūt (“out, outward”), from Proto-Indo-European úd (“out, outward”). Equivalent to out + -most.

Usage

Almost always used attributively before a noun; rarely used predicatively.

Idioms1 entry

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