utter awe

USAGE SUMMARY

"utter awe" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express feelings of profound admiration, amazement, wonder, or amazement. For example: "The crowd stood in utter awe as the fireworks show began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Her response has been "happiness, complete and utter awe," she said.

Los Angeles Times

"We didn't realize it was going to come this soon," said Melissa, saying her response has been "happiness, complete and utter awe".

Los Angeles Times

When I first met this beautiful beaming light years ago in Central Florida, my initial reaction was one of utter awe.

Huffington Post

I'm in utter awe that hundreds of thousands of these lanterns were released over three days in our forested surroundings and nothing caught fire.

Huffington Post

I have been in utter awe of the women who came before us and who created access points for others to enter behind them.

Huffington Post

"As I popped my head out of the hole in Jesus' crown, I was in total and utter awe as my eyes met with a vast panorama that quite literally took my breath away," Thompson wrote.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Before the last general election, Lord Ashcroft lent the Tories another £3.6m.As well as being powerful and rich, Lord Ashcroft is elusive: he is the right-wing pimpernel of British politics, whose name is uttered with awe and terror by Labour MPs.

The Economist

At 19, April Giangeruso speaks of her first six months dancing with American Ballet Theater in a girlish tone of awe and utter joy: "ABT is absolutely the place I wanted to be".

The New York Times - Arts

Are you in awe of the utter stupidity of this species?

Vice

The first would be uttered in tones of mild awe, the second with a note of scepticism.

Independent

At the risk of utter banality, it can intensify the joy, awe, and wonder of being alive.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utter awe" to convey a sense of profound amazement or wonder, particularly when witnessing something extraordinary or unexpected. The adjective 'utter' intensifies the feeling, making it stronger than simply saying 'awe'.

Common error

While effective in certain contexts, avoid overusing "utter awe", as it can lose its impact. Consider using synonyms like "profound admiration" or "astonishment" to add variety to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter awe" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a feeling of profound amazement, respect, or wonder. The adjective "utter" intensifies the feeling of awe. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its use across different sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utter awe" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a profound sense of amazement and respect. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to convey a strong emotional response. While "utter awe" is not extremely common, it appears primarily in news and media sources, indicating a neutral register. To enhance your writing, consider using synonyms like "complete awe" or "profound admiration" to avoid overuse and maintain variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete awe

Emphasizes the comprehensive and all-encompassing nature of the awe.

total awe

Similar to complete awe, highlighting the entirety of the feeling.

absolute astonishment

Intensifies the feeling of astonishment, emphasizing its completeness.

profound admiration

Shifts the focus slightly from amazement to a deep respect and appreciation.

deep wonder

Highlights the element of wonder and curiosity in the experience.

reverential wonder

Implies a sense of deep respect and veneration mixed with amazement.

unmitigated admiration

Highlights the purity and completeness of admiration, without any negative aspects.

astonishment

Focuses on the surprise and amazement aspect of the experience.

overwhelming respect

Emphasizes the power and intensity of the feeling of respect.

amazement

A more general term for being greatly surprised or impressed.

FAQs

How can I use "utter awe" in a sentence?

You can use "utter awe" to describe a feeling of profound respect and wonder. For example, "She looked at the mountains in "utter awe"".

What's the difference between "utter awe" and "slight awe"?

"Utter awe" implies a complete and overwhelming feeling of amazement and respect, while "slight awe" suggests a milder, less intense feeling.

What can I say instead of "utter awe"?

You can use alternatives like "complete awe", "total awe", or "profound admiration" depending on the context.

Is "utter awe" formal or informal?

"Utter awe" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.