utter
17 synonyms and 4 antonyms for utter, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Complete and total; absolute.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
How to use utter
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
utter nonsense
utter disbelief
utter a word
not utter a sound
Etymology
The adjective comes from Old English utera ("outer"). The verb developed separately, meaning to "put out" words.
Full origin of utter →Frequently asked questions
What does “utter” mean?
The word “utter” means complete and total; absolute. In plain terms, either "complete/total" (utter nonsense) or "to speak/say" (to utter a word).
How do you pronounce “utter”?
“Utter” is pronounced UH-tuh (/ˈʌtəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “utter” in a sentence?
Here is “utter” used in a sentence: “The meeting was an utter waste of time.”
What is another word for “utter”?
Words with a similar meaning to “utter” include say and vocalize.
What part of speech is “utter”?
Depending on how it is used, “utter” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “utter” come from?
The word “utter” comes from Old English. The adjective comes from Old English utera ("outer"). The verb developed separately, meaning to "put out" words.
Is “utter” a common word?
“Utter” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “utter” have?
“Utter” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: complete and total; absolute.
What is the difference between "utter" and "say"?
As a verb, "utter" means to produce a sound or word with the voice, and it can describe even a single sound, cry, or word, while "say" more commonly refers to speaking coherent words or sentences. "Utter" is somewhat more formal or literary than "say."
Why is "utter" used before nouns like "nonsense" or "silence"?
As an adjective, "utter" means complete and total, so phrases like "utter nonsense" or "utter silence" emphasize that something is absolute, with no exception or qualification.
Can "utter" be both an adjective and a verb?
Yes, "utter" functions as an adjective meaning complete and total ("utter chaos") and as a verb meaning to speak or make a vocal sound ("she didn't utter a word"). The two uses are related but grammatically distinct.
