Utterly: meaning, definitions and examples

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utterly

[ˈʌtərli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

to emphasize

completely and without qualification; absolutely.

Synonyms

absolutely, completely, entirely, totally.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
utterly	Used to emphasize something that is extreme or complete, often in a negative sense. He was utterly disappointed with the results. The play was utterly boring.
completely	Used to indicate something is finished or whole, often neutral. The task is completely done. He was completely exhausted after the marathon.
absolutely	Used for strong or emphatic affirmation, often positive or neutral. She was absolutely sure about her decision. This is absolutely the best cake I've ever tasted.
totally	Used in informal situations to stress something is full or complete, often casual. He totally forgot about the meeting. I'm totally on board with this plan.
entirely	Used to suggest something is whole or unified, often used in a formal or written context. The responsibility falls entirely on you. The statement is entirely accurate.

Examples of usage

She was utterly confused by his explanation.
The news left him utterly speechless.
The beauty of the sunset was utterly breathtaking.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

to express extreme emotions

used for emphasis or to express strong feelings or opinions about something.

Synonyms

exceedingly, extremely, incredibly, unbelievably.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
utterly	Use in formal or emphatic situations to emphasize the completeness or totality of something. She was utterly exhausted after the long journey. The decision was utterly ridiculous.
extremely	Common in everyday speech and writing to show a very high intensity. He was extremely happy about the news. The task was extremely difficult.
incredibly	Used in casual contexts to emphasize a positive or surprising quality. She is incredibly talented. The food was incredibly delicious.
unbelievably	Used in casual or colloquial speech to emphasize something that is hard to believe; often has a sense of exaggeration. The view from the top was unbelievably beautiful. He is unbelievably fast.
exceedingly	Appropriate in formal or academic contexts to denote a very high degree. The weather was exceedingly hot that summer. She performed exceedingly well on her exams.

Examples of usage

I am utterly exhausted after the long journey.
The concert was utterly fantastic.
The idea of swimming with sharks is utterly terrifying.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English 'utter', meaning 'outer' or 'most distant', suggesting something at its extreme.
In Middle English, it evolved into 'utterly', combining senses of being clear or evident.
Its prefix 'ut-' is derived from the Proto-Germanic 'ud', which indicates an outward sense.

Literature

Writers often use 'utterly' to emphasize strong emotions, making characters’ feelings more intense.
Classic literature has examples where characters declare their love or despair as 'utterly lost' or 'utterly devoted', adding dramatic flair.
Poets use it to convey absolute states, creating a sense of finality in their verses.

Psychology

The use of 'utterly' can reflect a person's thought patterns; those who use it frequently may express strong convictions.
In therapy, discussing feelings as 'utterly overwhelming' helps convey depth of emotion and encourages exploration.
People might describe experiences as 'utterly terrifying' when feeling intense fear, indicating a lack of control.

Pop Culture

'Utterly' is frequently used in movie dialogues to emphasize characters’ feelings or situations, enhancing storytelling.
Viral memes often exaggerate everyday moments by saying they are 'utterly ridiculous', showcasing humor through exaggeration.
Reality TV shows love to use the term when participants face surprising revelations or dramatic confrontations.

Business Language

In marketing, using 'utterly revolutionary' can attract attention, implying a product is drastically different and better.
Business reports often describe strategies as 'utterly necessary' to emphasize their importance in achieving goals.
'Utterly focused' can be a powerful phrase when discussing company vision, highlighting determination and direction.

Translations

Translations of the word "utterly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 totalmente

🇮🇳 पूरी तरह से

🇩🇪 völlig

🇮🇩 sepenuhnya

🇺🇦 цілковито

🇵🇱 całkowicie

🇯🇵 完全に(かんぜんに)

🇫🇷 totalement

🇪🇸 completamente

🇹🇷 tamamen

🇰🇷 완전히

🇸🇦 تمامًا

🇨🇿 naprosto

🇸🇰 úplne

🇨🇳 完全地

🇸🇮 popolnoma

🇮🇸 alveg

🇰🇿 мүлдем

🇬🇪 სრულიად

🇦🇿 tamamilə

🇲🇽 completamente

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,766, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

...
4763 frontier
4764 perceive
4765 confident
4766 utterly
4767 accustomed
4768 healing
4769 interrupted
...