utter
/ˈʌtər/
verb
Origin
Middle English
utter — outer, outside
Overview
Meaning Now
- To make a sound with the voice; to express something in words.
- To put into circulation, especially with reference to counterfeit currency or forged documents.
Literal older meaning
to put out, to emit
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Middle English → English
Earliest form
uttern
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The verb 'utter' shares an etymological root with the word 'out'. Originally, it meant to put something outside or into the public sphere. By the 15th century, this concept of 'bringing out' extended to speech (bringing words out of the mouth) and commerce (bringing goods into the marketplace).
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*ūt-
“out”
Prefix denoting outward movement.
- Old English
ūtian
“to put out, to expel”
- Middle English
uttern
“to put out, to disclose”
- Early Modern English
utter
“to speak, to express”
Shift from physical expulsion to vocal expression.
Connections
Word parts
out
root
external
-er
suffix
verbalizing suffix
Related across languages
German
äußern
to express, to utter
Dutch
uiteren
to utter
Related words
Explore next
Related to utter
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.