utter
/' t /
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Complete, absolute, total: Used to emphasize the extreme or absolute nature of something.
- Unqualified, sheer: Used informally, often as an intensifier, sometimes with a negative connotation.
Verb:
- To say or speak something aloud: To express or articulate sounds, words, or a cry.
- To emit a sound: To produce an audible sound, not necessarily words.
- To put into circulation: To issue or circulate something, especially counterfeit money.
Examples of Usage
Adjective:
- The room was in utter darkness. (The room was in complete darkness.)
- His statement was utter nonsense. (His statement was complete nonsense.)
- She felt utter despair. (She felt absolute despair.)
Verb:
- He did not utter a single word during the meeting. (He did not speak a single word during the meeting.)
- She uttered a cry of pain. (She let out a cry of pain.)
- The forger was arrested for uttering counterfeit bills. (The forger was arrested for putting counterfeit bills into circulation.)
Advanced Usage
- "To utter a word": To say anything at all.
- He was so shocked he couldn't utter a word.
- "Utter ruin/chaos/devastation": Emphasizes a state of complete destruction or disorder.
- The earthquake left the city in utter ruin.
Variants and Related Words
- Utterly (adverb): Completely, absolutely.
- I was utterly exhausted after the long journey.
- Utterance (noun): Something that is said; the act of speaking.
- His every utterance was recorded by the press.
Synonyms
- Adjective: Absolute, complete, total, sheer, pure, unadulterated, thoroughgoing.
- Verb: Say, speak, voice, express, articulate, emit, pronounce.
Related Phrases
- Not utter a word: To remain completely silent.
- Promise me you will not utter a word about this to anyone.
- Utter a sigh/groan: To produce a sighing or groaning sound.
- He uttered a deep sigh of relief.
Idioms
- Utter darkness: Complete absence of light.
- The power outage plunged the building into utter darkness.
- Utter contempt: Complete lack of respect.
- She looked at him with utter contempt.
Adjective
- complete
- came to a dead stop
- utter seriousness
- without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers
- an arrant fool
- a complete coward
- a consummate fool
- a double-dyed villain
- gross negligence
- a perfect idiot
- pure folly
- what a sodding mess
- stark staring mad
- a thoroughgoing villain
- utter nonsense
- the unadulterated truth
Verb
- put into circulation
- utter counterfeit currency
- express in speech
- She talks a lot of nonsense
- This depressed patient does not verbalize
- express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words)
- She let out a big heavy sigh
- He uttered strange sounds that nobody could understand
- articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
- She expressed her anger
- He uttered a curse