utter
/ˈʌt.ər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʌ.t̬ɚ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈə-tər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈʌtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʌtər/ (ame, ipa)
utter — verb
- utterpresent simple I / you / we / they
- utters3rd person singular
- uttering-ing form
- utteredpast simple
1. to produce words or sounds with your voice, often in speech or as a reaction to
to produce words or sounds with your voice, often in speech or as a reaction to a situation — for example, uttering a cry of surprise, a single word in court, or a prayer during a ceremony.
Haruto was so shocked that he could not utter a single word for several minutes.
negative construction: could not utter + noun
Without looking up from her book, Élise uttered a soft 'good night' to the room.
collocation: utter + direct speech
The old man uttered a low groan as he lowered himself onto the bench.
During the ceremony, the priest uttered a prayer in a language few understood.
Christopher uttered a cry of delight when he saw the birthday cake.
- remain silent
deliberately choosing not to speak or make a sound
文法句型
utter + noun phrase (word, cry, groan, prayer, name)
utter + direct speech
用法筆記
Frequently used with a direct object that names what is said or the sound made. In everyday conversation, say, speak, or shout is more common than utter, which sounds slightly formal or literary.
常見錯誤
2. to officially release banknotes, coins, or a financial document for public use —
to officially release banknotes, coins, or a financial document for public use — a formal term used in banking and law.
The Bank of England has the sole right to utter banknotes in England and Wales.
formal/legal: utter banknotes
Authorities arrested the accountant for uttering forged cheques worth over two million dollars.
legal context: utter forged cheques
In the nineteenth century, private banks could still utter their own paper money.
The treasury department quietly uttered the new fifty-dollar notes last Tuesday.
文法句型
utter + banknote / cheque / currency
用法筆記
Now rare in everyday English; found mainly in legal, financial, and historical writing. The object is always a financial instrument — banknote, cheque, or currency — never a general document or announcement.
常見錯誤
utter — adjective
- utterpositive
- utterercomparative
- utterestsuperlative
1. expressing the highest degree of a quality, so that nothing more could be added
expressing the highest degree of a quality, so that nothing more could be added — often used to intensify negative descriptions, such as utter nonsense, utter chaos, or utter failure.
After three days lost in the mountains, the hikers reached a state of utter exhaustion.
collocation: utter exhaustion
The film's reviews were an utter disaster, with critics calling it unwatchable.
collocation: utter disaster
Kemi rolled her eyes and told her classmates the rumor was utter nonsense.
When Hari heard the news, his face showed utter disbelief.
The garden fell into utter silence after the children ran inside.
文法句型
utter + noun (often negative: nonsense, disaster, chaos, silence, failure)
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position), never after a linking verb. You cannot say *The silence was utter* — you must say *utter silence*. Most often found with nouns that describe negative situations, though neutral uses (utter surprise, utter bliss) also occur.