utmost — most extreme; greatest
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: most extreme; greatest
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈʌtmoʊst/
Example Sentences
- The teacher emphasized that plagiarism is of utmost seriousness, unless you're copying from Wikipedia for a 'research' paper.
- The security guard showed utmost dedication by staying awake for almost three minutes.
- It is of utmost importance that we preserve the environment for future generations.
utmost
ADJECTIVE[/ˈʌtmoʊst/]
most extreme; greatest
The surgeon performed the operation with the utmost care.
She treated every patient with the utmost kindness. (utmost = the most possible)
With the utmost effort, she almost reached the finish line and became the foremost runner on her team.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Old English 'ūtemest', a compound formation combining 'out' (meaning outside or outer) and the superlative suffix '-most' (meaning greatest or furthest). The original sense of 'outermost' evolved to denote the extreme or highest degree of something.
Breakdown
ūt- (out) + -emest (superlative suffix, most). The compound structure reflects the logical progression from 'outermost' (furthest outward) to the abstract sense of 'ultimate' or 'extreme'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The teacher emphasized that plagiarism is of utmost seriousness, unless you're copying from Wikipedia for a 'research' paper.”
“The security guard showed utmost dedication by staying awake for almost three minutes.”
“It is of utmost importance that we preserve the environment for future generations.”
“She handled the fragile artwork with utmost care.”
“The CEO promised to do his utmost to resolve the company's financial crisis.”
📚Related Words
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