utterly familiar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly familiar" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is completely known or recognized, often in a context where familiarity is emphasized. Example: "The streets of my childhood felt utterly familiar as I walked through the neighborhood after many years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

General discussions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

And yet it's all utterly familiar.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They are always here, utterly familiar and completely unknown.

The New York Times

It is utterly familiar, yet something most of us only eat on Shrove Tuesday.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Its devotion to the art of performance exalts an utterly familiar and unchallenging style of performance.

The New Yorker

Moreover, the two parties are about to run utterly familiar political campaigns.

The New York Times

She was this creature who was so utterly familiar to me, unlike every other Hollywood star.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

He approaches such traditional anti-Semitic tropes as if they were utterly normal, familiar, and funny, and he does so in a way that would be more or less unthinkable regarding other ethnic groups.

The New Yorker

The problem is that it's not audacious enough; the story-telling within each episode is utterly conventional, familiar; the image-making is for the most part unoriginal; the acting is skillful but nothing new.

The New Yorker

From the first pages of The Awakening we are pulled into territory that feels utterly current and familiar, with an undercurrent more dangerous than romantic comedy.

The Guardian - Books

It's at once a familiar, utterly strange and deeply American story in which the period trappings long beloved by Hollywood — the paternalistic gentry with their pretty plantations, their genteel manners and all the fiddle-dee-dee rest — are the backdrop for an outrage.

The New York Times

We saw Nader more as grandstanding than a serious argument because we saw the contrast with Bush as utterly stark (sound familiar?).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly familiar" to emphasize a strong sense of recognition or common knowledge. It adds a degree of emphasis compared to simply saying "familiar".

Common error

Avoid using "utterly familiar" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can occasionally sound less professional than alternatives like "completely familiar" or "well-established".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly familiar" functions as an intensifier (utterly) modifying an adjective (familiar). This combination emphasizes the completeness of the familiarity, indicating something is entirely recognizable or well-known. Ludwig shows numerous examples where this phrase effectively conveys a strong sense of recognition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Arts

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly familiar" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the completeness of familiarity. Ludwig's analysis shows that it appears frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register, and is considered acceptable for general use. When aiming for highly formal or scientific writing, consider alternatives like "completely familiar" or "thoroughly acquainted". Use "utterly familiar" when a strong sense of recognition is intended, but avoid overuse to prevent sounding repetitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully familiar

Emphasizes the completeness of familiarity, similar to "utterly familiar" but with a slightly different nuance.

completely familiar

Indicates a total sense of familiarity, closely aligned with the meaning of "utterly familiar".

entirely familiar

Suggests a comprehensive familiarity, akin to "utterly familiar" in conveying a sense of thorough recognition.

totally familiar

Similar to "utterly familiar", it highlights the absolute nature of being familiar with something.

perfectly familiar

Conveys a sense of complete and flawless familiarity.

well-recognized

Shifts the focus to the widespread recognition of something, implying familiarity.

widely known

Emphasizes the common knowledge aspect, suggesting that something is familiar because it's widely known.

commonly known

Highlights the commonality of knowledge about something, implying a degree of familiarity.

thoroughly acquainted

Focuses on the depth of knowledge and experience, suggesting a high degree of familiarity.

intimately acquainted

Implies a deep, personal familiarity derived from close association or experience.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly familiar" to describe something that is completely known or recognized. For example, "The plot of the movie was "utterly familiar" to anyone who had read the book."

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

While both phrases convey a high degree of familiarity, "utterly familiar" often implies a stronger sense of recognition or emotional connection compared to "completely familiar". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "utterly familiar"?

You can use alternatives like "entirely familiar", "fully familiar", or "well-known" depending on the context.

Is "utterly familiar" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "utterly familiar" can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "completely familiar" or "thoroughly acquainted". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when making your choice.