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# utter

verb (utter, utters, uttered, uttering); adjective (utter)

«utter» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (verb) To say something or make a sound with your voice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/utter/#m1)
2. (adjective) Complete; total: utter silence, utter nonsense. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/utter/#m2)

### In the lessons

The verb is used in stories: «She did not utter a word.» The adjective strengthens a noun, often for bad things: «an utter mess», «utter rubbish». In everyday talk «utterly» means completely.

### Examples

- He was so shocked he could not utter a word. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/utter/#x1)
- The room fell into utter silence. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/utter/#x2)
- What you said is utter nonsense! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/utter/#x3)
- The baby uttered a tiny squeak. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/utter/#x4)
- My bedroom is an utter mess. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/utter/#x5)
- Don't utter a sound while the deer are near. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/utter/#x6)
- The King could not utter a word for several minutes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/utter/#x7)

### Note

The adjective goes before a noun only: «utter chaos», not «the chaos was utter». Takes «an»: «an utter disaster». Verb is regular: uttered. «Utterly» = completely. Do not confuse with «otter» (the animal) or «udder» (part of a cow).

## In Jewish tradition

To speak a vow aloud. A vow counted only when the lips said it clearly.

**Interpretation.** Tradition teaches that a vow binds when the mouth speaks it, so the Torah warns people to guard what comes out of their lips. A false report is also forbidden speech.

### Examples

- Thou shalt not utter a false report; put not thy hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. (Torah EXO.23.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/utter/#x1)
- Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When a man shall clearly utter a vow of persons unto the LORD, according to thy valuation, (Torah LEV.27.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/utter/#x2)
- Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When either man or woman shall clearly utter a vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to consecrate himself unto the LORD, (Torah NUM.6.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/utter/#x3)
- Let my lips utter praise: because Thou teachest me Thy statutes. (Writings PSA.119.171, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/utter/#x4)
- Surely my lips shall not speak unrighteousness, neither shall my tongue utter deceit; (Writings JOB.27.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/utter/#x5)
- Thine eyes shall behold strange things, and thy heart shall utter confused things. (Writings PRO.23.33, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/utter/#x6)

### Note

The adjective goes before a noun only: «utter chaos», not «the chaos was utter». Takes «an»: «an utter disaster». Verb is regular: uttered. «Utterly» = completely. Do not confuse with «otter» (the animal) or «udder» (part of a cow).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «utter» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/utter/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«utter» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/utter.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «utter» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/utter/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«utter» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/utter.html) on Mova free.