uttermost
uttermost — adjective
- uttermostpositive
- more uttermostcomparative
- most uttermostsuperlative
1. of the highest possible degree — used to describe things so important, serious,
of the highest possible degree — used to describe things so important, serious, or intense that nothing could surpass them
Roya treated the whistle-blower's warning with the uttermost seriousness, calling the board together within the hour.
collocation: with the uttermost seriousness
For Hui, shielding her children's data online was a matter of the uttermost importance.
fixed phrase: a matter of the uttermost importance
Asher performed the delicate repair with the uttermost care, his hands steady despite the mounting pressure.
The ambassador delivered the message with the uttermost gravity, and the entire room fell silent.
Ezra opened the ancient manuscript with the uttermost reverence; he had waited twenty years to hold it in his hands.
文法句型
with (the) uttermost + noun
of the uttermost + noun
用法筆記
Commonly paired with abstract nouns that express seriousness or intensity: seriousness, importance, care, respect, urgency, gravity, reverence. The noun is almost always singular and uncountable.
常見錯誤
2. located at the greatest possible distance from a centre or starting point — used
located at the greatest possible distance from a centre or starting point — used of physical edges, remote places, distant times, and positions in a series
The lighthouse stood on the uttermost edge of the cliff, battered by Atlantic waves for over a century.
spatial collocation: the uttermost edge
Fatima reached the uttermost boundary of the oasis, where palm trees surrendered to empty desert.
spatial collocation: the uttermost boundary
The probe sent back photographs from the uttermost reaches of the solar system, where sunlight grows faint.
Amelia hiked to the uttermost point of the peninsula, where the land finally surrendered to open sea.
The old hut sat at the uttermost limit of the valley, hidden from every road and footpath.
文法句型
the uttermost + noun (of place/limit)
用法筆記
Used chiefly in literary or poetic registers. For everyday physical descriptions, 'outermost' or 'farthest' are far more natural choices. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about physical or temporal distance, not degree of intensity.
uttermost — noun
1. the greatest amount, degree, or extreme point that can be reached or imagined
the greatest amount, degree, or extreme point that can be reached or imagined
Reema pushed her body to the uttermost during the final kilometre of the marathon.
pattern: pushed ... to the uttermost
Noor gave the uttermost of her provisions to the strangers whose homes the flood had swept away.
Brandon demanded the uttermost from his team throughout the championship season, accepting nothing less.
The cave rescue strained Hugo to the uttermost; he clawed through rock until his hands bled.
The race drew the uttermost from Imran; at the finish line he could barely stand.
- minimum
the least possible amount or degree
文法句型
the uttermost
to the uttermost
用法筆記
Almost always appears as 'the uttermost' or in the phrase 'to the uttermost'. In modern English, 'the utmost' is overwhelmingly preferred; using 'uttermost' can sound deliberately archaic or literary.