utterly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'utterly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize a point or in response to an event. Example: I was utterly surprised when I saw the results.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Lifestyle

Opinion

Sport

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

Use "utterly" to add emphasis to your statements. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of overuse, as it can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly" to describe something that is only slightly affected. "Utterly" implies a complete or extreme degree, so reserve it for situations where the impact is significant.

Linguistic Context

Utterly functions as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to intensify their meaning. According to Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct. For example, "utterly ridiculous" emphasizes the degree of ridiculousness. The examples provided by Ludwig highlight its use in various contexts to amplify the impact of the described state or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Opinion

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Utterly functions as an adverb to emphasize the degree or extent of something, indicating completeness or totality. Ludwig AI confirms that the use of "utterly" is grammatically correct, and it appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news and media, opinion pieces, and lifestyle articles. While its register is generally neutral, it's crucial to reserve it for situations where the impact is significant to avoid diluting its emphasizing effect. Alternatives such as "completely", "totally", and "absolutely" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember to use "utterly" to amplify your statements effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely

A direct synonym, implying a state of being finished or whole without reservation.

totally

Similar to completely, but can sometimes carry a more informal connotation.

absolutely

Emphasizes certainty and leaves no room for doubt or exception.

entirely

Indicates that something is whole and undivided, without any parts missing.

perfectly

Highlights the flawless or ideal nature of something, done to the highest standard.

thoroughly

Suggests that something is done with great attention to detail and care.

unreservedly

Implies a lack of hesitation or limitation; given without holding anything back.

unequivocally

Leaves no doubt or uncertainty; expressed in a clear and unambiguous manner.

positively

Emphasizes certainty and can also imply a favorable or affirmative attitude.

unquestionably

Indicates that something cannot be doubted or disputed, due to its obviousness.

FAQs

How to use "utterly" in a sentence?

"Utterly" is used as an adverb to emphasize the extent or degree of something. For example, "I was utterly exhausted after the marathon." It conveys a sense of completeness or totality.

What can I say instead of "utterly"?

You can use alternatives like "completely", "totally", or "absolutely" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "utterly devastated" or "slightly devastated"?

"Utterly devastated" is correct when describing a state of complete devastation. "Slightly devastated" is an oxymoron, as "utterly" means complete, while "slightly" suggests a small degree. A more appropriate phrase might be "somewhat disappointed".

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

"Utterly" means completely or totally, whereas "slightly" means to a small degree. They are antonyms. Using them together creates a contradictory statement.