utterly black

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly black" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely devoid of light or color, often emphasizing the intensity of the blackness. Example: "The night sky was utterly black, with no stars visible to break the darkness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Shining white, bright blue, utterly black illuminated by sunlight, the country looks like a fairy tale.

The New York Times

At that moment, the immense and utterly black window will swing shut with a bang.

The New Yorker

She sang almost entirely before black audiences and the occasions were utterly black and foreign to whites.

The New Yorker

Sirk etches his images in beautifully inky blacks and foreground objects are often utterly black.

The Guardian - Film

There's heartbreaking empathy here and a humour that, although utterly black, is humour nevertheless.

The Guardian - Arts

There were giant chunks of ice in the water, which was –1.7C (29F) and utterly black.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

This deeply serious, utterly hilarious black farce was a runaway international success.

The Guardian

Frampton was expecting to be given an Hermès or a Louis Vuitton, but the bag was an utterly commonplace black cloth suitcase with wheels.

The New York Times - Magazine

His layered combinations of painting and collage, allegory and reportage, polemic and poetry combine images in ways both instantly accessible and utterly confounding: black public housing projects are depicted as paradise, the middle passage of a slave ship as an amusement that's part tunnel of love.

The New York Times - Arts

In Joseph's pièce de résistance, the utterly extraordinary "Black Up," with music by Shabazz Palaces, Joseph records the fragmented, intense world of the kind of place where I grew up: a ghetto world that wouldn't call itself that without the help of sociologists or social workers — you don't know what you don't have until someone points it out and decides to name it.

The New Yorker

After a string of superb stage plays, and his Oscar-winning short film Six Shooter in 2004, McDonagh wrote and directed In Bruges, a sparklingly scripted and utterly distinctive black comedy about a couple of hitmen forced to lay low in a European city they find oppressively boring.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly black" to emphasize the completeness and intensity of darkness or blackness, particularly in descriptive writing to create a strong visual image.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly black" in situations where a simple description of 'black' is sufficient. Overusing intensifiers can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "utterly black" is that of an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, providing a descriptive attribute related to its color or lack of light. Ludwig AI confirms this through its examples of usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Arts

15%

Opinion

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Travel

3%

Books

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly black" functions as an adjective phrase used to describe something that is completely black, emphasizing the intensity of the blackness or the total absence of light. As supported by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and common across various contexts, including news media and descriptive writing. While "utterly black" is widely accepted and frequently used, it's important to consider the context to prevent overuse. Alternatives like "completely black" or "pitch black" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Completely black

Uses a more common adverb for emphasis but retains the core meaning.

Totally black

Similar to 'completely black', offering a straightforward alternative.

Pitch black

A more idiomatic expression specifically referring to intense darkness.

Jet black

Describes a very dark, glossy black color.

Inky black

Implies a deep, rich black color, like ink.

Coal black

Compares the blackness to the color of coal.

As black as night

A simile emphasizing the darkness through comparison.

Dark as pitch

Another simile, using 'pitch' to describe deep darkness.

Extremely dark

A more general phrase that can be used to describe the absence of light.

Devoid of light

Focuses on the absence of light rather than the presence of blackness.

FAQs

How can I use "utterly black" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly black" to describe something that is completely devoid of light or color. For example: "The cave was "utterly black", making it impossible to see anything."

What are some alternatives to saying "utterly black"?

Alternatives include "completely black", "totally black", or "pitch black", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "utterly black" and "completely black"?

While both phrases indicate a full degree of blackness, "utterly black" often implies a stronger sense of intensity or absoluteness compared to "completely black".

When is it appropriate to use "utterly black" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "utterly black" when you want to emphasize the intensity and completeness of the blackness, often in descriptive or dramatic contexts.