Extremely vs. Utterly

Attribute	Extremely	Utterly
Definition	To a very great degree or extent	Complete and total
Intensity	Very high level of something	Maximum level of something
Usage	Commonly used in everyday language	Less commonly used, more formal
Emphasis	Emphasizes the degree or extent of something	Emphasizes the completeness or totality of something

Definition and Usage

Extremely and utterly are both adverbs that are used to intensify the meaning of an adjective or another adverb. They are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences in their usage and connotations.

Intensity

Extremely is often used to indicate a high degree or level of something. It is commonly used to emphasize the extent of a particular quality or characteristic. For example, "She was extremely happy" suggests a very high level of happiness. On the other hand, utterly is used to convey a sense of completeness or totality. It implies that something is done to the fullest extent possible. For example, "He was utterly exhausted" suggests a complete and total exhaustion.

Emphasis

Extremely is often used to emphasize the intensity of a particular quality or state. It is used to highlight the degree to which something is true or present. Utterly, on the other hand, is used to emphasize the completeness or entirety of a particular action or state. It suggests that there is nothing else to add or consider.

Connotation

Extremely tends to have a more neutral connotation compared to utterly. It is often used in a straightforward manner to simply intensify the meaning of a word. Utterly, on the other hand, can sometimes have a more negative connotation. It can imply a sense of finality or extremeness that may not always be positive.

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the differences between extremely and utterly:

• Extremely: The weather was extremely hot, reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Utterly: The house was utterly destroyed by the tornado, leaving nothing standing.

Usage in Context

Extremely is often used in everyday language to intensify the meaning of words in a more casual manner. It is commonly used in both spoken and written language. Utterly, on the other hand, is often used in more formal or dramatic contexts. It is used to convey a sense of finality or extremeness that may be more appropriate in certain situations.

Conclusion

While extremely and utterly are both adverbs used to intensify the meaning of words, they have subtle differences in their usage and connotations. Extremely is often used to indicate a high degree or level of something, while utterly is used to convey a sense of completeness or totality. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right word to convey the exact meaning you intend.