utterly

adverb

ut·​ter·​ly ˈə-tər-lē 

: to an absolute or extreme degree : to the full extent : in an utter manner : absolutely, entirely, totally

Just when you're expecting to hear something trite or ordinary, Rich invents a tasty, utterly charming piece of ear candy.

—Carol Cooper

Whatever this stuff is, it comprises as much as 90% of the mass of the universe. It is also utterly invisible.

—M. Mitchell Waldrop

… a fascinating read, despite the fact that its unique tone is utterly lost in translation.

—Ian Buruma

Cut off utterly from her past, but socially unacceptable in this new world, Irene chooses the same refuge that's worked for her as a child: poetry.

—Sue Miller

Synonyms of utterly

• completely
• totally
• quite
• fully
• wholly
• perfectly
• all
• thoroughly
• entirely
• absolutely
• fast
• even

Examples of utterly in a Sentence

we are in fact utterly out of ideas

was utterly overwhelmed by the demands on her time

Recent Examples on the Web

The opponents have repeatedly called for a vote but have been utterly stonewalled. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

But don’t forget that this is a Big Four category prone to the utterly unpredictable (see Bonnie Raitt’s 2022 win). — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2026

Their maleficent Ronettes angle was funny and self-aware, but utterly sincere about the true promise of Satanism — autonomy, knowledge, freedom. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Rather than eliding them, Carson ends up bringing attention to these absences – an utterly distinctive choice. — Amy Cannon, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above