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

There are several stories of these utterances leading powerful people who misinterpreted them, to their doom. —Vipin Bharathan, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025

His 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street once held the world record for the most F-bombs in a movie, with a whopping 569 utterances of the word. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2025

In the past, every utterance of a president or president-elect was like journalistic gold. —Al Pessin, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2025

Here’s the latest installment of the Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz, with excerpts and utterances from Feb. 2 to 8. —Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025

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