Utter

Utter

Verb & Adjective · /ˈʌtə/ · to speak or make a sound; complete and absolute

Definition

As a verb, to utter means to speak, say, or make a vocal sound. As an adjective, utter means complete and total — emphasising that something is absolute, leaving no room for qualification. She uttered a cry. It was utter silence. Both forms are frequently used but carry different weights.

Origin

The verb utter comes from Middle Dutch uteren, meaning to announce or proclaim. The adjective is older, from Old English utera, a comparative of ut meaning out — thus the outermost, the extreme. By the Middle Ages both senses had merged into the single English word, creating one of the language's most elegant double-loaded entries.