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

Though animal utterances are different from our own, comparing animal expression to that of humans can illuminate the complex reasons behind the evolution of communication in each species. —The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024

Video combines clips from three separate Red Sox games When a heckler suggested Aug. 11 that Duran bat with a tennis racket, the All-Star Game MVP responded by calling the heckler a homophobic slur, and the utterance was picked up by a field microphone. —Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2024

Amazingly, Olson delivers those three little words four times, each utterance different than the last. —Rosemary Rossi, Variety, 13 Aug. 2024

In the middle of this utterance, the music dips from F major into C minor, giving his reassurances an ominous cast. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 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