utmost meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

utmost

adj

UK /ˈʌtməʊ̯st/ · US /ˈʌtmoʊ̯st/

Etymology PIE word *úd From Middle English utmost, utemest [and other forms], from Old English ūtmest, ūtemest [and other forms], from ūt, ūte (“out; outdoors, outside”) + -mest (suffix meaning ‘furthest’, used to form superlatives of some adjectives) (and conflated with most). Ūt is derived from Proto-Germanic *ūt (“out, outward”), from Proto-Indo-European *úd (“out, outward”). Equivalent to out + -most.

The most extreme; greatest, ultimate.

the utmost assiduity
the utmost harmony

4 more examples

the utmost misery or happiness
Ile go to him, and vndertake to bring him in peace, / Where he ſhall anſwer by a lawfull Forme, / (In peace) to his vtmoſt perill.c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i], page 17, column 1:
She was a lady adorned with many noble virtues: the utmoſt ſtrictneſs in her life and morals, eaſy and affable in her behaviour, and agreeably modeſt in her converſation.1752, Jerome Osorio [i.e., Jerónimo Osório], “Book XI”, in James Gibbs, transl., The History of the Portuguese, during the Reign of Emmanuel: […], volume II, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, page 239:
The migrations of the Economic Rats, are not less extraordinary than those of the Lemmings. In the spring of the year they collect together in amazing numbers, and proceed in a course directly westward; swimming with the utmost intrepidity over rivers, lakes, and even arms of the sea.1824, W[illiam] Bingley, Animal Biography, or, Popular Zoology; […], 6th edition, volumes II (Mammiferous Animals—Birds), London: […] C[harles] and J[ohn] Rivington; …, →OCLC, pages 26–27:

Derived terms: utmostly, utmostness
Related terms: outermost, outmost, uttermost

utmost

noun

The greatest possible capability, extent, or quantity; maximum.

at the utmost to the utmost
[...] I am reſolved to pluck up the heart of a man, and to try my utmoſt to get from under his hand.1680, John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That which is to Come: […], 5th edition, Edinburgh: […] Iohn Cairns, […], →OCLC, page 116:

4 more examples

[T]he utmoſt they could do, was to perſuade Him to lay aſide all Rancor and Diſcontent againſt thoſe Confederate Lords, and to hearken to their deſires.1704, James Tyrrell, “Book XII. Containing the Reign of King Richard II.”, in The General History of England, both Ecclesiastical and Civil: […], volume III, 2nd part, London: […] W. Rogers, […]; J. Taylor, […]; J. Sprint, […]; and A[ndrew] Bell, […], →OCLC, page 912:
But Scrooge was all the worse for this. It thrilled him with a vague uncertain horror, to know that behind the dusky shroud there were ghostly eyes intently fixed upon him, while he, though he stretched his own to the utmost, could see nothing but a spectral hand and one great heap of black.1843 December 19, Charles Dickens, “Stave Four. The Last of the Spirits.”, in A Christmas Carol. […], London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC, pages 122–123:
Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.1963, Margery Allingham, “Meeting Point”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC, page 232:
We drank martinis, while she gazed into my eyes and talked of Dolores – in tones of the utmost loathing – and of you, in tones of the utmost self-importance.2011, Simone de Beauvoir, “January 1947 – October 1951: America”, in Quintin Hoare, transl., Letters to Sartre, New York, N.Y.: Arcade Publishing, →ISBN, page 415:

Derived terms: do one's utmost