utterance

Everyday

1. (formal) An utterance is something that someone says: a word, a phrase or a sentence spoken aloud. tree →
2. (formal) Utterance is the act of saying something aloud: give utterance to your feelings. tree →

In the lessons

A formal word in language study (linguistics) and exams: each thing a person says in a conversation is an utterance. In stories, a character's last utterance or a strange utterance. Plain words: words, what someone said.

Examples

• The baby's first utterance was «Mama». tree →
• Every utterance in the play was written down. tree →
• Linguists record people's utterances to study language. tree →
• His only utterance was a quiet «thank you». tree →
• She gave utterance to her anger. tree →
• Each line in the conversation is one utterance. tree →
• The Savannah negro here gave utterance to a loud, contemptuous laugh, and began to fumble somewhat ostentatiously with a big brass watch-chain. tree →

Note

Formal; in speech say «what she said». Use «an utterance» (vowel sound). From the verb «utter» (to say). The adjective «utter» means complete (utter nonsense) — a different word.

In Jewish tradition

What the lips speak. A vow is made binding by the words said aloud.

Interpretation. The rabbis read that spoken words have the power to bind a person, so a vow must be kept exactly as said.

Examples

• And if she be married to a husband, while her vows are upon her, or the clear utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul; (Torah NUM.30.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• Yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that announceth, yea, there is none that heareth your utterances. (Prophets ISA.41.26, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Formal; in speech say «what she said». Use «an utterance» (vowel sound). From the verb «utter» (to say). The adjective «utter» means complete (utter nonsense) — a different word.