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utter1 definition

ut·ter (ut′ər)

adjective

  1. complete; total
  2. unqualified; absolute; unconditional

Etymology: ME < OE uttera, compar. of ut, out

Related Forms:

utter2 definition

ut·ter (ut′ər)

transitive verb

  1. to give out; put forth: now used only of the passing of counterfeit money or forged checks
  2. to produce, speak, or express audibly (speech sounds, syllables, words, thoughts, etc.)
  3. to express in any way
  4. to emit (nonvocal sounds), as if speaking
  5. to make known; divulge; reveal
  6. Obsolete to publish (a book, etc.)
  7. Obsolete to sell (goods, etc.)

Etymology: ME uttren < utter, outward: see utter

intransitive verb

to speak or converse

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

law utter definition - legal

utter Synonyms

utter

modif.

complete, total, thorough; see absolute 1.


utter

v.

pronounce, talk, express, come out with, articulate, voice, whisper, mutter, shout, exclaim, enunciate, air, speak, tell, declaim, phonate, disclose, declare, say, phrase, word, assert, affirm, asseverate, ejaculate, vocalize, proclaim, give tongue to, recite, broach, blurt out, let fall, announce.

utter implies the communication of an idea or feeling by means of vocal sounds, such as words, exclamations, etc. he uttered a sigh of relief; express, the broadest of these terms, suggests a revealing of ideas, feelings, one's personality, etc. by means of speech, action, or creative work to express oneself in music; voice suggests expression through words, either spoken or written voicing one's opinions in letters to the editor; broach suggests the utterance or mention of an idea to someone for the first time I'll broach the subject to her at dinner; enunciate suggests the announcement or open attestation of some idea to enunciate a theory, doctrine, etc.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

utter Usage Examples

Object

  • exclamation: We sat on a stile, both of us plunged in meditation, and then he suddenly uttered an exclamation.

Modifies a noun

  • contempt: We see their contempt, their utter contempt, for innocent life.

Modifying Another Word

  • repeatedly: He saw Daniel close to the glass, staring down, repeatedly uttering, " Oh my God.

Used with adjective complement

  • dare: No man dared utter a truth to which he felt himself indebted to his Soul alone.

Preposition: in

  • tone: But it was uttered in a tone of affection, which permitted me to feel that I had her attention.

Preposition: by

  • speaker: A table of tongue positions for British English vowels ( as uttered by one speaker, at least ) is available here.
utter usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

utter quotes

The ache to utter and see in word The silhouette of a brooding soul.

-Sandburg, Carl

utter quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"utter." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/utter>

APA Style

utter. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/utter

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