Word
utter
Phoneticsut·ter, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈətɝ/
UK/ˈʌtɐ/
Definitions
01complete or total
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. used to emphasize that something is complete or total, usually something bad.
adj. used as an intensifier to indicate that a quality or state is complete, absolute, or extreme.
“The whole situation was an utter disaster from start to finish.”
“To the board's utter astonishment, the CEO resigned without providing any justification or naming a successor.”
02to speak or make a sound
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to say something or to make a sound with your voice.
v. to produce a sound or word with the vocal organs; to give audible expression to something.
日本語:言葉を発する※
“She sat there in shock and did not utter a single word.”
“The witness refused to utter a sound during the cross-examination, despite the prosecutor's increasingly aggressive questioning.”
Synonyms
03to pass forged documents
C2 · Proficiency Law Technical · Formal
v. to use or give someone a fake document or fake money as if it were real.
v. to put into circulation a forged document, banknote, or security with the intent to defraud.
“He was charged with trying to utter a counterfeit hundred-dollar bill.”
“The defendant was indicted on two counts of forgery and one count of attempting to utter a fraudulent cheque at the local branch.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, often 'a word', 'a sound', or 'a cry'.
Pitfall
He uttered about his secret.
He uttered his secret.
Utter is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'about'; it must be followed directly by the thing being said.
Real-World Examples
“NTSB chairwoman Jennifer Homendy called the crash site a scene of "utter devastation".” “Shami Chakrabarti: ‘Atmosphere of utter disbelief at how the jury could have reached such a decision’.” “At a press conference on Monday afternoon, the NTSB chair, Jennifer Homendy, said teams were working through a scene of “utter devastation” after the crash, which occurred after a thunderstorm.” “Every word he uttered had serious consequences for Canadians.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Idioms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/utter
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0