What does utterness mean?
An utterance is something expressed through speech or writing, especially a thought, opinion, or feeling made audible to others. The word can refer to the words themselves, as in “a carefully worded utterance,” or more broadly to the act of expressing something. In everyday use, it often suggests that a statement is notable because of its tone, force, or significance: an official may issue an utterance, while a spokesperson may make a damaging or controversial utterance. In linguistics and conversation analysis, an utterance is a continuous piece of speech associated with a speaker and may perform an action such as greeting, questioning, promising, or apologizing. The term is therefore more specific than a general “remark” in some contexts and broader than a grammatical “sentence” in others. Though relatively uncommon in casual conversation, it remains useful for discussing the relationship between language, tone, intention, and social action.
nounAn utterance is a spoken or written expression of a thought, feeling, or opinion. In linguistics, it can also mean a continuous stretch of speech produced by a speaker.
- A spoken or written expression of a thought, feeling, or opinion.
- The act of expressing something in words.
- A continuous stretch of speech produced by a speaker, especially in linguistics.
"His brief utterance carried a note of unmistakable disappointment."
"Her statement was an emphatic utterance of disagreement."
"In conversation analysis, each speaker's turn is treated as an utterance that performs a social action."
Utterance is a count noun when referring to separate expressions of speech: “She made several careful utterances.” It may also be used in the abstract or uncountable sense of the act of expressing something in words.
"His rare public utterances attracted considerable attention."
An utterance may be just a few words long, but it still puts an idea out into the world.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of utterness
“Utterance” was formed in English by adding the suffix “-ance” to “utter,” the verb meaning to express or pronounce aloud. “Utter” has Germanic roots, tracing to Old English ūtian, meaning “to put forth” or “send out,” and is related to forms such as Dutch uit and German aus. The suffix “-ance” forms a noun indicating an act or result, so an utterance is literally something put forth in speech.
How utterness is actually used
In general use, “utterance” often sounds formal, literary, or slightly elevated compared with “remark” or “statement.” In linguistics, it refers more broadly to a unit of speech produced by a speaker rather than necessarily to a complete sentence.