utterance

1 of 2

noun (1)

ut·​ter·​ance ˈə-tə-rən(t)s 

 also  ˈə-trən(t)s

1

: something uttered

especially : an oral or written statement : a stated or published expression

2

: vocal expression : speech

3

: power, style, or manner of speaking

utterance

2 of 2

noun (2)

ut·​ter·​ance ˈə-tə-rən(t)s 

ˈə-trən(t)s

archaic

: the last extremity : bitter end

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• articulation
• expression
• formulation
• phrasing
• statement
• verbalism
• voice
• wording

Examples of utterance in a Sentence

Noun (2)

many writers have used poetry as a means to give utterance to their deepest thoughts

celebrities whose every utterance is treated as though it were newsworthy

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Still, Harris and Democrats do not want the controversy to fester, with every utterance magnified in the final hours before Election Day. —Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024

This, in turn, raises the stakes of her every public utterance. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2024

During the final session, there were no utterances from the boy, and afterward, no further disturbances were reported. —Declan Gallagher and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024

Nichols’ defense immediately called for a mistrial with prejudice, saying the off-limits utterance might lead jurors to assume Nichols previously spent time in custody. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English outraunce, uttraunce, from Middle French outrance, from outrer to go beyond — more at outré

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

utterance

noun

ut·​ter·​ance

ˈət-ə-rən(t)s

1

: something uttered

especially : an oral or written statement

2

: the action of uttering with the voice : speech

3

: power, style, or manner of speaking