What does utterance mean?
An utterance is a particular expression of a thought, feeling, intention, or piece of information, especially in spoken or written form. The word can emphasize the expression itself, as in “an official utterance,” or the act of giving voice to an idea, as in “the speaker's hesitant utterance.” In ordinary use, it is somewhat more formal than words such as statement or remark and can suggest that what was said has significance, force, or public importance. In linguistics and philosophy, an utterance is more precisely an act of communication: it may consist of a complete sentence, but it can also be a greeting, question, command, or meaningful sound. This broader technical sense explains why the word is valuable when discussing language itself. Although primarily a noun, utterance also survives as a rare formal verb meaning “to express or declare,” though the more familiar modern verb is utter.
An expression of thought or feeling in words, whether spoken or written; also the act of making such an expression.
"The governor's statement was the first public utterance concerning the investigation."
In linguistics and philosophy, the term specifically denotes a meaningful act of communication rather than merely a written sentence.
To express or declare in words; to speak or make known.
"The witness uttered a plea for mercy."
Rare, formal, and archaic in modern English; the standard modern verb is usually utter.
The plural is used for individual expressions or acts of speaking, especially when several are mentioned together.
"The recordings contain several recorded utterances from the meeting."
In linguistics, an utterance is not just a sentence: it can be a greeting, a question, or even a single meaningful sound.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
How utterance is actually used
The noun is neutral in everyday use and can refer to either speech or writing, although spoken language is especially common. In philosophy, linguistics, and related fields, it is a technical term for an act of communication or a meaningful unit of language. The corresponding verb is rare, formal, and archaic in modern English.