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

Here’s the latest installment of the Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz — this time with excerpts and utterances from the week spanning Feb. 16 to 22. —Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025

This generates the new agent and the regression test utterances to check the changes do not impact other aspects of the agent's skills. —Ian Gotts, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

In lesser hands, this could have proved cartoonish or even unbearable, but Ethan Hawke is theatrical in the best way possible, commanding the screen with his every gesture and utterance without overplaying any of them. —David Opie, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2025

Any utterance from Michaels’ lips would only serve to reveal his comedic secrets and erode the fascination people have with the program. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 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