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a spoken statement or sound
The child's first utterance was 'mama.'
The child's first word was 'mama.'
The utterance of the word 'help' was barely audible.
The word 'help' was spoken very quietly.
Can refer to a single word, phrase, or sound.
In formal contexts, 'utterance' is often used to describe spoken language in a precise or technical way. In everyday speech, it may sound overly formal.
When 'utterance' is the subject, it is singular and requires a singular verb (e.g., 'The utterance was clear.').
From Middle English 'utteren' (to speak), from Old French 'outer' (to speak out), from Latin 'ūtrum' (either of two).
Often used in formal or technical contexts, such as linguistics or speech analysis.