His careful utterance of each name slowed the ceremony.
Every public utterance by the company is checked by lawyers.
Each utterance was tagged for intonation and stress.
The actor practiced the utterance of the difficult line.
Similar words
vocalization
expression
delivery
expression
speech segment
speaking
articulation
comment
statement
speech
Meanings
Spoken or written statement
noun
communication
formal
Something expressed in words, usually a particular spoken statement and sometimes a published or written one.
Examples
The senator's latest utterance drew immediate criticism.
Every public utterance by the company is checked by lawyers.
The witness's utterance became important evidence.
Reporters analyzed each utterance from the press conference.
Her brief utterance changed the mood in the room.
The editor questioned one utterance in the published interview.
Not every careless utterance should be treated as policy.
Similar words
statement
remark
comment
pronouncement
declaration
expression
Act of speaking
noun
speech
neutral
The act of putting words or sounds into speech.
Examples
The microphone captured the utterance of a single word.
The spell was believed to work only after its utterance aloud.
His careful utterance of each name slowed the ceremony.
The first utterance of the phrase sounded hesitant.
The recording begins with the utterance of a greeting.
Clear utterance matters in radio announcements.
The actor practiced the utterance of the difficult line.
Similar words
speech
speaking
expression
vocalization
articulation
pronunciation
Unit of speech
noun
linguistics
technical
A stretch of speech treated as one unit in linguistic analysis, often bounded by a pause, a change of speaker, or the end of a turn.
Examples
The researcher transcribed each utterance in the conversation.
A single utterance can contain more than one clause.
The corpus marks pauses between utterances.
Children's early utterances often consist of one word.
The software separates overlapping utterances by speaker.
Each utterance was tagged for intonation and stress.
The analyst compared the length of each utterance.
Similar words
speech unit
spoken sequence
turn
vocalization
speech segment
speech act
Manner of speaking
noun
rhetoric
formal
A person's power, style, or way of speaking.
Examples
The poet's slow utterance gave the line unusual force.
Her graceful utterance made the old speech feel new.
The preacher was known for a powerful utterance.
His measured utterance suited the solemn occasion.
Critics praised the actor's clear utterance.
The speaker's confident utterance held the audience.
A nervous utterance can make even simple words sound uncertain.
Similar words
delivery
expression
elocution
speech
voice
articulation
Etymology
From Middle English outreaunce and utterance, formed from the verb utter plus -ance. The older archaic sense meaning the final extremity comes from a separate word related to outer.
FAQ
What does utterance mean?
Utterance usually means something said, especially a particular spoken statement.
Is utterance a noun or a verb?
Utterance is a noun. The verb is utter.
Can utterance refer to writing?
Utterance can refer to a written or published expression, but it most often points to speech or words treated as speech.
What is an utterance in linguistics?
In linguistics, an utterance is a real stretch of speech analyzed as one unit, not necessarily a complete sentence.
Is an utterance always a sentence?
No. An utterance can be a single word, a phrase, a sentence, or a longer spoken turn.
What is a synonym for utterance?
Common synonyms include statement, remark, speech, expression, and pronouncement.
What is the difference between utterance and utter?
Utterance is the thing said or the act of saying it, while utter is the verb meaning to say something aloud.
Where does utterance come from?
Utterance comes from Middle English forms built from utter and the noun-forming suffix -ance.
When should utterance be avoided?
Avoid utterance when a simpler word such as statement, comment, speech, or voice would sound clearer.
Comments & contributions
Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.