Utterly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Utterly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the completeness or totality of a quality or state, often in a dramatic or strong manner. Example: "She was utterly amazed by the breathtaking view from the mountain top."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The language within the lyrics and the images within the promotional video are utterly degrading to the female subject.

The Guardian - Music

The player himself, however, seemed utterly convinced that he would return from this latest setback soon enough, saying: "My career is not over.

The Guardian - Sport

Smith quoted from a 1953 report by Kathleen Forest, an inspector for the government's home affairs department, who wrote: "I find these homes utterly depressing and it appals me to think that these hundreds of children are being reared in bleak lovelessness".

The Guardian

The major parties have "utterly rolled over and accepted what the security establishment is saying" despite worrying evidence that spies are expanding their power without the public knowing, Bennett said.

The Guardian

But Novo had just replaced the utterly ineffective Kris Boyd in attack when he moved forward to meet a throw-in from Papac out on the left.

The Guardian - Sport

Ours is an age of faith as a path to control on a very wide scale – something rigid, paranoid and utterly destructive.

The Guardian - Opinion

Well, there's more in common with the physiology of jellyfish and the "bloom" of school leaders than you might think: both of them are utterly devoid of a backbone.

The Guardian

It's saccharin sweet and utterly addictive – like reality TV, but with cupcakes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Germany dump Diego Maradona and Argentina out By Dominic Fifield, Green Point Stadium, 3 July 2010 If it had indeed been the will of God that Argentina should claim this World Cup, then Diego Maradona must feel utterly abandoned now.

The Guardian - Sport

Given his views, was it not astonishing that he should have been given the job by a government described in Nicholas Shaxson's bombshell book Treasure Islands as now being "utterly captured by the financial services industry"?

The Guardian - Business

Above all it's wonderfully written and utterly compelling.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "utterly", ensure it aligns with the intended tone. Its strong emphasis may not suit formal or understated contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly" excessively in formal documents or academic papers. Overuse can make your writing sound melodramatic or less objective. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "completely" or "entirely" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "utterly" primarily functions as an intensifier, modifying adjectives or adverbs to emphasize the degree or extent of a quality or action. Ludwig AI confirms its use in contexts requiring strong emphasis, like "utterly degrading" or "utterly convinced."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Lifestyle

16%

Sport

12%

Less common in

Opinion

7%

Books

5%

Travel

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "utterly" serves as an intensifier to emphasize the degree of a quality or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, notably in news, lifestyle, and sports reporting. While effective for adding emphasis, its use should be moderated in formal writing to maintain objectivity. Related phrases include "completely", "totally", and "absolutely", each carrying slightly different connotations. As a best practice, use "utterly" when you want to strongly emphasize a quality or condition, but be mindful of the overall tone to prevent melodrama. Despite its neutral register, avoid overusing it in academic or formal contexts. Source analysis indicates authoritative usage, particularly in news and media outlets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Entirely

Implies wholeness or completeness, closely related to "utterly" but can be used in slightly different contexts.

Completely

Indicates a state of being finished or thorough, similar to "utterly" but often less emphatic.

Totally

Similar to "completely", suggesting a full extent, but can sometimes imply a more casual or informal tone.

Absolutely

Emphasizes certainty and without any doubt, whereas "utterly" stresses the extent or degree.

Wholly

Similar to "entirely", suggesting completeness, but may sound more formal or archaic than "utterly".

Perfectly

Suggests flawless execution or condition, while "utterly" highlights the totality of an action or state.

Thoroughly

Indicates a detailed and comprehensive action, unlike "utterly" which usually modifies an adjective.

Altogether

Means entirely or completely, often used to summarize or conclude, while "utterly" intensifies a quality.

Positively

Emphasizes certainty or a strong affirmation, while "utterly" focuses on the degree or extent of something.

Decidedly

Indicates something is definite and clear, differing from "utterly" which emphasizes the intensity of a state or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "utterly" in a sentence?

"Utterly" is typically used to intensify adjectives or adverbs. For instance, you can say, "The performance was "utterly captivating"" or "I was "utterly exhausted" after the marathon."

What words can I use instead of "utterly"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "utterly" with alternatives such as "completely", "totally", or "absolutely". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "utterly unique"?

While some argue that "unique" already implies being one-of-a-kind, using "utterly unique" is common to emphasize the exceptional nature of something. However, consider whether the added emphasis is necessary or if "simply unique" suffices.

What's the difference between "utterly" and "completely"?

Both "utterly" and "completely" indicate a sense of totality, but "utterly" often carries a stronger emotional charge or emphasis. "Utterly" can imply a sense of astonishment or extreme degree, whereas "completely" is generally more neutral.