utterly
Americanadverb
adverb
Etymology
Origin of utterly
A Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; see origin at utter 2, -ly
Explanation
Utterly is an intensifying word: something utterly delicious is very, very delicious. One thing people love to do is exaggerate. You often hear people talking about how awesome or awful things are. When you're laying it on thick, utterly is an utterly useful word: it means something similar to completely, totally, or very. Something utterly disappointing is extremely disappointing. Something utterly wonderful is wonderful times ten. When you get tired of writing very, utterly is a good word choice.
Vocabulary lists containing utterly
A Long Walk to Water
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The Diary of Anne Frank
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"Easter, 1916" by W.B. Yeats
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Made in under a minute with zero effort, you have something elegant, versatile, and utterly delicious.
From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026
This request apparently came from the White House counsel, and one has to wonder why it was thinking about the constitutionality of this sort of utterly benign, seemingly noncontroversial statute.
From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026
Lockhart said she "utterly and unequivocally" condemns the incident.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
The composition is utterly still, devoid of human presence and enlivened only by fluttering harbor flags and the canvas’s scintillating pinpoints of color.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026
Adams suspected that Hamilton, whom he had formerly distrusted and now utterly loathed, saw himself as an American Napoleon, poised to declare martial law and present himself as the available savior.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
