: the most possible : the extreme limit : the highest attainable point or degree
the utmost in reliability
2
: the highest, greatest, or best of one's abilities, powers, and resources
will do our utmost to help
Did you know?
Utmost comes from Old English ūtmest, a superlative adjective formed from the adverb ūt, meaning "out." The earlier sense of utmost carries the same meaning as outermost.
Adjective supreme power that extended to the utmost points of the empire she is a successful leader who deserves the utmost respect Noun This new system represents the utmost in modern technology. It's designed to provide the utmost in comfort. We had to push ourselves to the utmost to finish the job in time.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Sasco Point is one of the most private areas of Fairfield, and this exceptionally private enclave has the utmost privacy. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2022 For the actress, bonding over shared beliefs and interests with husband Justin Timberlake is of utmost importance. Grace Gavilanes, Peoplemag, 1 Sep. 2022 For Black Americans, this is of the utmost importance because there has been a concentrated effort by some in power to turn the clock back to the days of old. Kevin L. Clark, Essence, 1 Sep. 2022 Knowing where and when to use dating apps in these new cities is of utmost importance. Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 22 Aug. 2022 To match the right technologies with the many issues that exist, and to discover solutions from a user-first perspective is of utmost importance, according to Terazaki. Kao Contributor, Forbes, 9 Aug. 2022 In such a context, pragmatism is of utmost importance. Kevin Lee, The New Republic, 8 Aug. 2022 In order to achieve those results, though, ironing out the calculation errors is of utmost importance. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2022 The Lycra-blend fabric promotes the utmost breathability with its sweat-wicking fabric and is perfected with a comfortable leg band, which holds the hem in place without squeezing the thighs. Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2022
Noun
Growing sales requires e-commerce brands to scale SEO efforts to the utmost of their abilities. Tony Adam, Forbes, 1 July 2022 Now Crye is doing his utmost to run a traditional campaign: raising money, getting his name out and, most important, trying to personally connect with every possible voter before Tuesday’s election. Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2022 China was willing to try its utmost to seek peaceful reunification with Taiwan but would act if any red lines on independence were crossed, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office, told a media briefing.NBC News, 29 Dec. 2021 Everybody gave their utmost to make the best product possible, the biggest biopic made to date in the Spanish-speaking world. John Hopewell, Variety, 4 Nov. 2021 Schneider is a glossy, radiant enigma, an actress whose extreme minimalism of expression delivers a mysterious intensity of emotion, yet who nonetheless always appears to be withholding her utmost from the camera, or even shrinking from it. Richard Brod, The New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2021 Coming to Royal Taj may feel like the utmost in relaxation for diners, but don’t expect to see Singh taking time off. Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 30 June 2022 Hart and Harrelson certainly do their utmost to salvage this stinker. Andy Meek, BGR, 29 June 2022 Marking the war anniversary in Seoul, Yoon pledged to do his utmost to protect freedom and peace. Reuters, CNN, 26 June 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, alteration of utmest, from Old English ūtmest, superlative adjective, from ūt out, adverb — more at out entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of utmost was before the 12th century