First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1utter
adjective ut·ter \ˈə-tər\
: complete and total
Full Definition of UTTER
: carried to the utmost point or highest degree : absolute, total <utter darkness> <utter strangers>
— ut·ter·ly adverb
See utter defined for English-language learners
See utter defined for kids
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Origin of UTTER
Middle English, remote, from Old English ūtera outer, comparative adjective from ūt out, adverb — more at out
Related to UTTER
- Synonyms
- all-out, arrant, blank, blooming [chiefly British], bodacious [Southern & Midland], categorical (also categoric), clean, complete, consummate, cotton-picking, crashing, damn, damned, dead, deadly, definite, downright, dreadful, fair, flat, flat-out, out-and-out, outright, perfect, plumb, profound, pure, rank, regular, sheer, simple, stark, stone, straight-out, thorough, thoroughgoing, total, unadulterated, unalloyed, unconditional, unmitigated, unqualified, absolute, very
2utter
verb
: to make (a particular sound)
: to say (something)
Full Definition of UTTER
transitive verb
1
obsolete : to offer for sale
2
3
: to put (as currency) into circulation; specifically : to circulate (as a counterfeit note) as if legal or genuine <utter false tokens>
4
: to put forth or out : discharge
intransitive verb
: to make a statement or sound
— ut·ter·able \ˈə-tə-rə-bəl\ adjective
— ut·ter·er \ˈə-tər-ər\ noun
See utter defined for English-language learners
Origin of UTTER
Middle English uttren, from utter outside, adverb, from Old English ūtor, comparative of ūt out
First Known Use: 15th century
Related to UTTER
- Synonyms
- emit
Synonym Discussion of UTTER
express, vent, utter, voice, broach, air mean to make known what one thinks or feels. express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces <expressed her feelings in music>. vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words <a tirade venting his frustration>. utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech <utter a groan>. voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words <an editorial voicing their concerns>. broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion <broached the subject of a divorce>. air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention <publicly airing their differences>.
UTTER Defined for Kids
1utter
adjective ut·ter \ˈə-tər\
Definition of UTTER for Kids
: in every way : total <utter nonsense> <utter strangers>
— ut·ter·ly adverb <It was a world and life … utterly unknown to me. — Avi, Crispin>
2utter
verb
ut·teredut·ter·ing
Definition of UTTER for Kids
1
: to send forth as a sound <The injured animal uttered a short cry.>
2
: to express in usually spoken words <She wanted to utter an angry protest.>
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