utmost

Everyday

1. Utmost means greatest or most extreme, as much as possible: «of the utmost importance». tree →
2. (noun) Your utmost is the most you can do: «do your utmost». tree →
3. (old use) Utmost can mean farthest or most distant: «the utmost ends of the earth». tree →

In the lessons

In formal speech and writing: «of the utmost importance», «with the utmost care», «try your utmost». In stories and the Bible: «the utmost parts of the earth». It tells the reader something matters as much as it possibly can.

Examples

• Handle the eggs with the utmost care. tree →
• Safety is of the utmost importance. tree →
• She did her utmost to win the race. tree →
• The secret must be kept with the utmost care. tree →
• He tried his utmost but still missed the bus. tree →
• The explorers sailed to the utmost ends of the earth. tree →
• I did my utmost to wake him, but in vain." tree →

Note

Formal. Used only before a noun or in «do your utmost» / «try your utmost». Close to «uttermost» (older). It has no comparative.

In Jewish tradition

Farthest or last, at the very edge. Here it means the far edge of the Israelite camp or of the border. In the primary lessons: In formal speech and writing: «of the utmost importance», «with the utmost care», «try your utmost». In stories and the Bible: «the utmost parts of the earth». It tells the reader something matters as much as it possibly can.

Examples

• And it came to pass in the morning that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into Bamoth-baal, and he saw from thence the utmost part of the people. (Torah NUM.22.41, JPS 1917) tree →
• And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto Ir-moab, which is on the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border. (Torah NUM.22.36, JPS 1917) tree →
• I hate them with utmost hatred; I count them mine enemies. (Writings PSA.139.22, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Formal. Used only before a noun or in «do your utmost» / «try your utmost». Close to «uttermost» (older). It has no comparative.