utter

¹ut·ter

adjective \ˈə-tər\

Definition of UTTER

: carried to the utmost point or highest degree : absolute, total <utter darkness> <utter strangers>

— ut·ter·ly adverb

Examples of UTTER

1. It's hard to believe that we were utter strangers just a few days ago.
2. The situation descended into utter chaos.
3. The children displayed an utter lack of interest in the performance.
4. The movie was utter garbage.
5. That argument is utter nonsense.

Origin of UTTER

Middle English, remote, from Old English ūtera outer, comparative adjective from ūt out, adverb — more at out

First Known Use: 15th century

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

Antonyms

least, littlest, lowest, minimal, minimum, slightest

Related Words

authentic, classic, genuine, real, veritable; constant, endless, eternal, perpetual, undying, unremitting; extreme, unrestricted; confirmed, habitual, hopeless, inveterate; extraordinary, frightful, horrible, huge, main, superlative, supreme, surpassing, terrible, terrific

Near Antonyms

doubtful, dubious, equivocal, qualified, questionable, restricted, uncertain

Rhymes with UTTER

butter, clutter, cutter, flutter, gutter, mutter, nutter, putter, scutter, shutter, splutter, sputter, strutter, stutter

²utter

verb

Definition of UTTER

transitive verb

1

obsolete : to offer for sale

2

a : to send forth as a sound <utter a sigh>

b : to give utterance to : pronounce, speak <refused to utter his name>

c : to give public expression to : express in words <utter an opinion>

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

Examples of UTTER

1. She uttered a cry of pleasure.
2. He can hardly utter a sentence without swearing.

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

Related Words

deliver; blurt (out), ejaculate, exclaim; gasp, groan, heave, hoot, moan, pant, quaver, snarl, sob, sputter, squawk, squeak, squeal, stammer, stutter, whimper, yowl; lip, mouth, whisper

Near Antonyms

stifle, suppress

See Synonym Discussion at express

Rhymes with UTTER

butter, clutter, flutter, gutter, mutter, shutter, splutter, sputter, strutter, stutter