utterance — a spoken word, statement, or vocal sound
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a spoken word, statement, or vocal sound
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈʌtərəns/
Example Sentences
- The parrot's first utterance was surprisingly 'Where's my coffee?'
- Every utterance in the courtroom was carefully recorded.
- His strange utterance 'Pizza before people' became the company motto.
utterance
NOUN[/ˈʌtərəns/]
a spoken word, statement, or vocal sound
The hurricane left the coastal town in utter ruin, and the survivors had no utterance of hope.
The wizard's utterance filled the pitch-black room as he spoke the final spell.
After his nervous stutter and quiet mutter, the boy's final utterance gave the correct answer.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Utterance emerged in 14th-century Middle English from the verb 'utter', which derives from Old English and Old Norse roots meaning 'to put out' or 'to speak'. The noun form was created by adding the suffix '-ance', a common nominalizing ending in Middle English that formed abstract nouns from verbs, particularly those borrowed from or influenced by Romance languages.
Breakdown
utter (to speak, put forth) + -ance (noun-forming suffix indicating action or result). The root 'utter' itself combines out- (outer, external) with the sense of 'to put forth' or 'to speak aloud'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The parrot's first utterance was surprisingly 'Where's my coffee?'”
“Every utterance in the courtroom was carefully recorded.”
“His strange utterance 'Pizza before people' became the company motto.”
“The baby's cute utterances melted everyone's heart.”
📚Related Words
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