utmost

/ˈʌtməʊst/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʌtməʊst/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈət-ˌmōst especially Southern -məst/ (ame, mw) · /ˈʌt.məʊst/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʌt.moʊst/ (ame, ipa)

utmost — adjective

  • utmostpositive
  • more utmostcomparative
  • most utmostsuperlative

1. used before a noun to show that something has the highest possible importance, c

1.形容詞C1
釋義

used before a noun to show that something has the highest possible importance, care, effort, or seriousness

例句

Leo handled the old coins with utmost care in the museum.

collocation: utmost care

The judge said fairness was of utmost importance in the case.

pattern: of utmost importance

同義詞
  • greatest

    broader and more neutral; it can describe both abstract and measurable things

  • highest

    often used for level or rank rather than carefulness or respect

  • complete

    emphasizes totality more than a highest degree

反義詞
  • slight

    describes a low degree rather than the highest one

  • least

    direct opposite when comparing degrees of importance or care

文法句型

utmost + noun

of the utmost + noun

用法筆記

Almost always used before an abstract noun such as care, importance, respect, or secrecy. It is common in formal writing and official speech, especially in set phrases like 'of the utmost importance'.

常見錯誤

❌Your safety is of the upmost importance.
✅Your safety is of the utmost importance.
💡'Utmost' is the standard spelling in this fixed expression.
❌The care was utmost when they packed the glass.
✅They packed the glass with utmost care.
💡This adjective normally comes before a noun, not after 'be'.

2. at the most distant end of a place, period, or range

2.形容詞C2
釋義

at the most distant end of a place, period, or range

例句

Bilal stood at the utmost end of the pier and watched the ferry turn.

collocation: utmost end

From the utmost corner of the attic, Lan pulled out a dusty trunk.

同義詞
  • farthest

    the plain modern choice in everyday English

  • outermost

    focuses on the outside edge of something

  • remotest

    more formal and often used for distance or isolation

反義詞
  • nearest

    describes the point with the smallest distance

  • innermost

    focuses on the point deepest inside something

文法句型

utmost + noun

用法筆記

This older sense is mostly found in formal or literary descriptions of distance and position. It usually appears with nouns such as end, corner, edge, or limit, rather than standing alone after the noun.

常見錯誤

❌We sat in the most utmost corner of the hall.
✅We sat in the utmost corner of the hall.
💡'Utmost' already has a superlative meaning, so 'most' is unnecessary.
❌The village was the utmost from the city.
✅The village was the farthest from the city.
💡This sense of 'utmost' usually comes before a noun like 'edge' or 'end'.

utmost — noun