Utter vs. Utterly

Attribute	Utter	Utterly
Definition	Complete; absolute	To the utmost degree; completely
Intensity	High	Higher
Usage	Adjective	Adverb
Emphasis	On completeness	On extremity

Definition

Utter and utterly are two words that are often confused due to their similar spelling and pronunciation. However, they have distinct meanings and are used in different contexts. The word "utter" is an adjective that means complete or absolute, while "utterly" is an adverb that means completely or totally.

Usage

Utter is typically used to describe something that is total or absolute in nature. For example, you might say, "The storm caused utter chaos in the city." On the other hand, utterly is used to emphasize the completeness or totality of something. For instance, you could say, "I am utterly exhausted after a long day at work."

Examples

Here are a few examples to illustrate the difference between utter and utterly:

• Utter: The silence in the room was utter.
• Utterly: I was utterly shocked by the news.

Intensifiers

One key difference between utter and utterly is that utterly is often used as an intensifier to emphasize the degree or extent of something. It adds emphasis to the adjective or verb it modifies. For example, "The movie was utterly boring" conveys a stronger sense of boredom than simply saying "The movie was boring."

Formality

Another difference between utter and utterly is their formality. Utter is more commonly used in formal or literary contexts, while utterly is more casual and conversational. For instance, you might use utter in a formal essay or speech, while you might use utterly in everyday conversation with friends or family.

Synonyms

While utter and utterly have distinct meanings, they do share some synonyms. Some synonyms for utter include complete, total, and absolute. Similarly, some synonyms for utterly include completely, totally, and entirely. These synonyms can help you understand the nuances of each word and how they are used in different contexts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, utter and utterly are two words that may seem similar at first glance, but they have distinct meanings and are used in different ways. Utter is an adjective that describes something as complete or absolute, while utterly is an adverb that emphasizes the completeness or totality of something. Understanding the differences between these two words can help you use them correctly in your writing and communication.