utterance

C1 Topic:Language & Linguistics

US /ˈʌtəɹəns/ See IPA manual

Freq #51943

Meanings

1

noun
An act of, or the process of, uttering.

At length gave utterance to these words.
2

noun
An instance of that act or process: especially, something spoken (e.g., syllables, words, phrases); (especially linguistics) any such thing either spoken or written.

And Vickers launched forth into a tirade very different from his platform utterances. He spoke with extreme contempt of the dense stupidity exhibited on all occasions by the working classes.
3

noun
The ability to speak.

Mrs. Weston kissed her with tears of joy; and when she could find utterance, assured her, that this protestation had done her more good than any thing else in the world could do.
4

noun
A manner of speaking.

He has a good utterance.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · an act of, or the process... uttering

Word family

Related forms utterutterableutterer

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

spontaneous utterance
something said without advance planning or deliberate preparation

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From Middle English outraunce, utteraunce, from Old French outrance (see outrance).

Topics

Language & Linguistics Actions & Processes

External links

# utterance

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈʌtəɹəns/
**Frequency rank:** 51943

## Meanings
1. An act of, or the process of, uttering.
2. An instance of that act or process: especially, something spoken (e.g., syllables, words, phrases); (especially linguistics) any such thing either spoken or written.
3. The ability to speak.
4. A manner of speaking.

## Examples
- At length gave utterance to these words.
- And Vickers launched forth into a tirade very different from his platform utterances. He spoke with extreme contempt of the dense stupidity exhibited on all occasions by the working classes.
- Mrs. Weston kissed her with tears of joy; and when she could find utterance, assured her, that this protestation had done her more good than any thing else in the world could do.
- He has a good utterance.

## Related Forms
- utter
- utterable
- utterer

## Etymology
From Middle English outraunce, utteraunce, from Old French outrance (see outrance).

## Topics
- Language & Linguistics
- Actions & Processes

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