Meaning & use
utter aloud
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Meaning
phrasetransitiveformal
To say something in a voice that can be heard, rather than silently.
Grammar: Takes an object: utter a word aloud. The object usually comes between 'utter' and 'aloud'.
Patterns
- utter something aloud
- utter a word aloud
- utter a sound aloud
She was so shocked that she could not utter a single word aloud.
The teacher asked the students to utter the poem aloud.
He uttered the name aloud, hoping someone would recognize it.
Common combinations
- utter a word aloud
- He was too nervous to utter a word aloud.
- utter a sound aloud
- The baby uttered a soft sound aloud.
- utter a prayer aloud
- She uttered a prayer aloud before the exam.
- utter a name aloud
- He uttered her name aloud in the empty room.
Synonyms and how they differ
- say out loud
- More common and less formal; 'utter aloud' is stronger and more literary.
- pronounce
- Focuses on how words are spoken, especially sounds; 'utter aloud' simply means to speak audibly.
Opposites
Word family
- utterance noun
- A spoken word or statement; the act of saying something.
Commonly confused: utter aloud or aloud?
utter aloud vs aloud
'Aloud' means in a voice that can be heard; 'utter aloud' is the full phrase meaning to speak something audibly.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'utter aloud' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The object usually comes between 'utter' and 'aloud': utter something aloud. Option A places 'aloud' before the object, which is less natural; option C uses 'at' incorrectly; option D misplaces 'aloud'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “utter aloud”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.