Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense utters, present participle uttering, past tense, past participle uttered
1. verb
If someone utters sounds or words, they say them.
[literary]
He uttered a snorting laugh. [VERB noun]
They departed without uttering a word. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: say, state, speak, voice More Synonyms of utter
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You use utter to emphasize that something is great in extent, degree, or amount.
[emphasis]
This, of course, is utter nonsense.
...this utter lack of responsibility.
A look of utter confusion swept across his handsome face.
Synonyms: absolute, complete, total, perfect More Synonyms of utter
More Synonyms of utter
utter in British English1
(ˈʌtə)
verb
1.
to give audible expression to (something)
to utter a growl
2. criminal law
to put into circulation (counterfeit coin, forged banknotes, etc)
3. (transitive)
to make publicly known; publish
to utter slander
4. obsolete
to give forth, issue, or emit
Derived forms
utterable (ˈutterable)
adjective
utterableness (ˈutterableness)
noun
utterer (ˈutterer)
noun
utterless (ˈutterless)
adjective
Word origin
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
utter in British English2
(ˈʌtə)
adjective
(prenominal)
(intensifier)
an utter fool
utter bliss
the utter limit
Word origin
C15: from Old English utera outer, comparative of ūteout (adv); related to Old High German ūzaro, Old Norse ūtri
utter in American English1
(ˈʌtər)
adjective
1.
complete; total
2.
unqualified; absolute; unconditional
Derived forms
utterly (ˈutterly)
adverb
utterness (ˈutterness)
noun
Word origin
ME < OE uttera, compar. of ut, out
utter in American English2
(ˈʌtər)
verb transitive
1.
to give out; put forth: now used only of the passing of counterfeit money or forged checks
2.
to produce, speak, or express audibly (speech sounds, syllables, words, thoughts, etc.)
3.
to express in any way
4.
to emit (nonvocal sounds), as if speaking
5.
to make known; divulge; reveal
6. Obsolete
to publish (a book, etc.)
7. Obsolete
to sell (goods, etc.)
verb intransitive
8.
to speak or converse
SYNONYMY NOTE: utter1 implies the communication of an idea or feeling by means of vocal sounds, such aswords, exclamations, etc. [he uttered a sigh of relief]; express, the broadest of these terms, suggests a revealing of ideas, feelings, one's personality,etc. by means of speech, action, or creative work [to express oneself in music]; voice suggests expression through words, either spoken or written [voicing one's opinions in letters to the editor]; broach suggests the utterance or mention of an idea to someone for the first time [I'll broach the subject to her at dinner]; enunciate suggests the announcement or open attestation of some idea [to enunciate a theory, doctrine, etc.]
Derived forms
utterable (ˈutterable)
adjective
utterer (ˈutterer)
noun
Word origin
ME uttren < utter, outward: see utter1
Examples of 'utter' in a sentence
utter
Bring utter misery and chaos to millions of people by going on strike.
The Sun (2016)
Unless the dope is a complete and utter dope.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The whole debacle has been a complete and utter mess.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is utter nonsense to suggest otherwise.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Which is fine, except for being total and utter nonsense.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I was in complete and utter shock, really upset and stressed.
The Sun (2017)
You return to find complete and utter mayhem.
The Sun (2011)
The first official festival was utter chaos.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The whole thing is an utter nonsense.
The Sun (2007)
The officer rubbed his balding head and uttered something most unworthy.
Baxter, Stephen Anti-Ice (1993)
We both looked down at her in utter amazement.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
She was in complete and utter shock.
The Sun (2013)
Patients were screaming out in pain and the ward appeared to be in utter chaos.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It is utter nonsense to say it is domestic rubbish.
The Sun (2006)
It is a desert scene of utter chaos.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is utter nonsense of course and completely reprehensible morally.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It would be a complete and utter team sport.
The Sun (2010)
But his selection and the feeble dogma behind it has caused utter chaos.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
All of which is complete and utter nonsense.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
His dedication to the game is utter and complete.
Leo McKinstry Sir Alf: A Major Reappraisal of the Life and Times of England's Greatest FootballManager (2006)
What utter contempt the industry has for punters, including those having their annual flutter.
The Sun (2010)
His eyes wide, he stared at the back of the church with utter amazement.
Christianity Today (2000)
What is most shocking is the utter contempt with which he treats the Italian public.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He winced and uttered something, but smiled at me.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The French must view us with utter contempt.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Mrs Keen has shown utter contempt for her constituents by refusing to explain or justify her actions.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Just utter amazement and embarrassment.
The Sun (2010)
He rallied, opened his eyes, uttered something and died.
Paul Hyland RALEGH'S LAST JOURNEY: A Tale of Madness, Vanity and Treachery (2003)
He produced, to my utter amazement, a superb dinner.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Word lists with
utter
Criminal law terms
In other languages
utter
British English: utter VERB
If someone utters sounds or words, they say them.
He uttered a snorting laugh.
American English: utter
Brazilian Portuguese: proferir
Chinese: 发出声音
European Spanish: pronunciar
French: émettre
German: äußern
Italian: proferireparole
Japanese: 発する
Korean: 말하다
European Portuguese: proferir
Latin American Spanish: pronunciar
British English: utter ADJECTIVE
You use utter to emphasize that something is great in extent, degree, or amount.
This, of course, is utter nonsense.
American English: utter
Brazilian Portuguese: total
Chinese: 彻底的
European Spanish: total
French: total
German: äußerste
Italian: assoluto
Japanese: 全くの
Korean: 전적인
European Portuguese: total
Latin American Spanish: total
All related terms of 'utter'
utter joy
Joy is a feeling of great happiness.
utter failure
If something is a failure , it is not a success .
utter barrister
the full title of a barrister who is not a Queen's Counsel
utter contempt
If you have contempt for someone or something, you have no respect for them or think that they are unimportant .
utter disgrace
If you say that something is a disgrace , you are emphasizing that it is very bad or wrong , and that you find it completely unacceptable .
utter nonsense
If you say that something spoken or written is nonsense , you mean that you consider it to be untrue or silly .
utter shambles
If a place, event, or situation is a shambles or is in a shambles , everything is in disorder .