Utter confusion
/ˈʌtər kənˈfjuːʒən/
B2
Definition
"Utter confusion" describes a situation or feeling where someone is very mixed up and cannot understand or make sense of something. It means the confusion is total, with no clear ideas or understanding at all.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
A state of being completely confused or unable to understand
- •After hearing the complicated instructions, she was in utter confusion.
- •The sudden change in plans caused utter confusion among the team.
- •When the signals mixed, the drivers experienced utter confusion on the road.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "utter confusion" like just "confusion" (A2 word), but MUCH stronger—like confusion on the highest level.
- ✓Picture a person looking at a complicated puzzle with pieces everywhere and no idea where to start.
- ✓It's the feeling when you hear something that makes no sense and your mind goes blank.
- ✓Sounds like "UT-ter con-FU-zhun" → imagine someone shouting "utter!" to show how full the confusion is, like a full cup spilling over.
- ✓Think of a character in a movie who suddenly doesn’t understand anything and looks shocked and lost.
- ✓NOT like "confused" (can be small or temporary), "utter confusion" means the confusion is complete and strong.
- ✓NOT like "puzzled" (mild, curious confusion), "utter confusion" is more serious and overwhelming.
Try Other Words
- •Complete confusion: total lack of understanding (Use when you want to emphasize the fullness of confusion clearly)
- •Total chaos: disorder and confusion (Use when confusion also includes a messy or uncontrolled situation)
- •Deep confusion: very strong confusion (Use when the feeling of confusion is very strong but more about emotions)
Unboxing
- •"utter" = adjective meaning complete or total
- •"confusion" = noun meaning a state of not understanding or being mixed up
- •"utter confusion" combines these to mean total or complete confusion
- •"utter" comes from Old English "uttera," meaning outermost or extreme
- •"confusion" comes from Latin "confusio," meaning mixing together or disorder
- •Together, the phrase emphasizes the highest level of confusion
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you felt utter confusion? What caused it?
•How can people help others who are in utter confusion to understand better?
Fill in the blanks
1.When the instructions changed suddenly, everyone was in utter confusion and ___ what to do next.
2.Utter confusion often happens when there is ___ information or no clear explanation.
3.Unlike simple confusion, utter confusion means the person feels ___ lost and unsure.
4.The teacher noticed the students' utter confusion and decided to ___ the lesson again.
5.Utter confusion can ___ when many things happen at the same time and no one knows what is right.
6.People in utter confusion usually ___ for help or clearer information quickly.
7.After the unexpected announcement, the room was full of utter confusion and ___ voices everywhere.