What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
utmost
Example
I will do my utmost to finish this project on time. [utmost: adjective]
Example
She listened to his story with the utmost attention. [utmost: noun]
greatest
Example
He is one of the greatest musicians of all time. [greatest: adjective]
Example
The greatest challenge we face is climate change. [greatest: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Greatest is more commonly used than utmost in everyday language. Greatest is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while utmost is less common and is often used in more formal or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between utmost and greatest?
Utmost is slightly more formal than greatest and is often used in professional or academic contexts. However, both words can be used in formal or informal contexts depending on the situation and tone of the conversation.