utterance

1 of 2

noun (1)

ut·​ter·​ance ˈə-tə-rən(t)s 

also ˈə-trən(t)s

1

: something uttered

especially : an oral or written statement : a stated or published expression

2

: vocal expression : speech

3

: power, style, or manner of speaking

utterance

2 of 2

noun (2)

ut·​ter·​ance ˈə-tə-rən(t)s 

ˈə-trən(t)s

archaic

: the last extremity : bitter end

Synonyms of utterance

Noun (2)

• voice
• expression
• formulation

Examples of utterance in a Sentence

Noun (2)

many writers have used poetry as a means to give utterance to their deepest thoughts

celebrities whose every utterance is treated as though it were newsworthy

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One of the most enduring presidential utterances of the 20th century was also a bald-faced lie. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 June 2026

He was widely celebrated as a virtuoso who nurtured America’s economic well-being and whose nearly every utterance was parsed for clues as to where interest rates, the economy and the financial markets might be headed. — Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 22 June 2026

The very utterance of the pairing — Stabler to Biletnikoff — has a nice rat-a-tat-tat sound to it. — Steve Buckley, New York Times, 2 June 2026

Speaking time per person was calculated by summing the duration of each of their utterances and excluding silent gaps. — Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English outraunce, uttraunce, from Middle French outrance, from outrer to go beyond — more at outré

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

utterance

noun

ut·​ter·​ance

ˈət-ə-rən(t)s

1

: something uttered

especially : an oral or written statement

2

: the action of uttering with the voice : speech

3

: power, style, or manner of speaking