utterance - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
utterance Word Meanings
- a spoken statement
- an expression of thought or feeling
- a particular way of stating something
utterance Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
utterance Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈʌt(ə)rəns/
US
/ˈʌtərəns/
utterance Word Etymology
Root decomposition: 'utter' (to speak) + 'ance' (a suffix forming nouns). Historical origin: Latin 'uttere' → Old French 'utrer' → Middle English 'utterance'. Memory image: Imagine a stage where every utterance is a performer speaking its truth to the audience, encapsulating thoughts and feelings.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Utterance is a noun describing a spoken statement, an expression of thought or feeling, or a particular way of stating something. In everyday use, it often refers to what someone says aloud in conversation, or to a concrete spoken instance in linguistics rather than a written sentence. The word stresses the act of speaking and the speaker's intention, not just the content. It can cover casual remarks, formal declarations, or even a single, brief occurrence of speech. Memory image: a stage where every utterance is a performer speaking its truth to the audience, encapsulating thoughts and feelings.
Usage Reminders
- - Use utterance for a spoken statement, not just any idea.
- - Remember it can be formal (linguistics) or casual (remarks).
- - It often pairs with 'an utterance' or 'that utterance'.
- - Don’t confuse with sentence or statement in everyday speech.
- - Check the context to decide if you mean the act of speaking or the content.
Common Misconceptions
- Uterance and sentence are the same; utterance is just a fancy word for a sentence.
- An utterance must always be long or formal.
- Utterance refers only to what someone believes, not what they say.
- All spoken content is an utterance.
- Utterance cannot be used for written statements.
Thinking Differences
English speakers commonly treat 'utterance' as a neutral, sometimes technical term to reference a spoken instance. Learners may overprioritize formality or confuse it with a plain 'sentence' or 'statement'.
Learning Tips
- 1) Learn collocations: make an utterance, an utterance about, uttered under oath.
- 2) Distinguish utterance (act) from content (what is said).
- 3) Practice with both casual and formal contexts.
- 4) Use in linguistics or debate write-ups to sound precise.
- 5) Listen for emphasis on the act of speaking, not just the words.
- 6) Compare with synonyms: statement, pronouncement, declaration.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of 'utterance'?
A.A spoken word or sound
B.A written statement
C.A physical gesture
D.A visual representation
Step 2: Usage
Which of the following sentences correctly uses the word 'utterance'?
A.He made an utterance that surprised everyone.
B.Her utterance was written down in the diary.
C.The utterance of the painting was captivating.
D.I could hear her utterance from across the room.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'utterance'?
A.Pronunciation
B.Statement
C.Silence
D.Gesture
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'utterance'?
A.Quiet
B.Sound
C.Expression
D.Communication
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where someone might make an utterance?
A.During a performance, the audience was captivated by her emotional speech.
B.He silently pondered the question in his mind.
C.In a heated debate, she made an utterance that changed opinions.
D.The book lay open on the table.
Related Listening
🔥 Advanced
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