Cool MateUtter vs Voice
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Utter
Top 2,000 (common)B1adjective
Voice
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Most common: Voice
| Utter | Voice | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈʌtə//🇺🇸 //ˈʌtər// | 🇬🇧 /["/vɔɪs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/vɔɪs/"]/ |
| Meaning | To say something, especially something quietly | The sound you make when you talk or sing. |
| Example | She could barely utter a word during the speech. | She has a beautiful voice that captivates everyone who hears it. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | noun |
| Collocations | utter nonsense, utter chaos, utter silence | beautiful, fine, good, hear, raise, drop, go up, rise, die away, coach, teacher, lessons, in a/your voice, at the top of your voice, a babble of voices, a hum of voices, critical, dissenting, lone, find, add, lend, voice of, make your voice heard, speak with one voice |
| Antonyms | silence, mumble | silence, quiet |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'utterly' which means completely., Using 'utter' as a noun instead of a verb. | Confusing 'voice' with 'sound'; 'voice' is specifically human., Using 'voice' as a verb incorrectly; it's primarily a noun., Mixing up 'voice' with 'tone'; they have different meanings. |
| Usage notes | Use 'utter' when you want to express something articulated. It fits well in formal contexts but can be less common in casual conversation. | Use 'voice' in both formal and informal contexts to refer to speaking or expressing thoughts. Avoid using it for non-human sounds. |
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Frequently asked questions: Utter vs Voice
What's the difference between Utter and Voice?
Utter: To say something, especially something quietly Voice: The sound you make when you talk or sing.
Which is more common: Utter and Voice?
Voice is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Utter and Voice?
Utter is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Utter and Voice the same CEFR level?
Utter: B1, Voice: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Utter and Voice?
Utter: adjective, Voice: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Utter: She could barely utter a word during the speech. Voice: She has a beautiful voice that captivates everyone who hears it.
Can I use Utter and Voice interchangeably?
Not always. Utter and Voice are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.