utter

Utter is a word with two main senses in English: a verb meaning to speak or pronounce, and an adjective meaning complete or absolute. The typical pronunciation is /ˈʌtər/ in American English and /ˈɜːər/ or /ˈʌtə(r)/ in many varieties of British English. As a verb, utter generally takes a direct object referring to what is spoken (to utter a word, a phrase, a cry, an oath). As an adjective, utter precedes the noun to emphasize totality (an utter disaster, utter nonsense).

As a verb, to utter is transitive and can be used in contexts ranging from formal to everyday speech. Examples include "to utter a word," "to utter a sigh," or "to utter a vow." The past tense is uttered and the present participle is uttering. The act or product of speaking is commonly referred to as an utterance, a noun used in linguistics, law, and everyday description of spoken language.

As an adjective, utter signifies complete, absolute, or unqualified. It is often used for emphasis with negative or problematic outcomes, such as "utter chaos," "utter nonsense," or "utter destruction." In this role it is typically not used for gradable comparisons; the adverbial form utterly is used to modify adjectives or verbs (utterly amazed, utterly destroyed).

Etymology traces the adjective to Old English uttera, associated with out or outer, reflecting its sense of extremity. Related forms include utterly (adverb) and utterance (the noun for a spoken sound or phrase).

See also: utterance, utterly, utterance in linguistics.