Expanding your vocabulary is a great way to improve your English fluency and writing skills. One helpful strategy is to learn words by their starting letter. In this post, we focus on 50 useful verbs that start with U, along with their definitions and examples. These verbs are commonly used in daily conversation, writing, and even in academic or professional settings.
Whether you’re an ESL student, writing creatively, or someone brushing up on vocabulary, these verbs will help elevate your language.
1. Understand
Definition: Grasp the meaning or significance of something.
Example Sentence: I understand the importance of putting your seatbelt on.
2. Utilize
Definition: Make use of something.
Example Sentence: He utilized his time wisely during the summer break.
3. Update
Definition: Bring something up to date or current.
Example Sentence: Please update the file before submitting it.
4. Uncover
Definition: Reveal something that was hidden.
Example Sentence: The investigation uncovered new evidence.
5. Unlock
Definition: Open something that was locked.
Example Sentence: She unlocked the car door with her phone.
6. Upload
Definition: To transfer data or files to a larger system or server.
Example Sentence: I upload my camera roll photos to the cloud to avoid losing them.
7. Upset
Definition: Disturb or bother someone emotionally.
Example Sentence: The news of his death upset her deeply.
8. Urge
Definition: Strongly encourage someone to do something.
Example Sentence: They urged him to apply for the scholarship before March 31st.
9. Unpack
Definition: Remove items from a container or suitcase.
Example Sentence: She unpacked her suitcase upon arriving home.
10. Undergo
Definition: Experience or go through something difficult or important.
Example Sentence: He underwent heart surgery last month.
11. Unfold
Definition: Open or spread out.
Example Sentence: She unfolded the acceptance letter slowly, nervous about the outcome.
12. Uphold
Definition: Support or maintain a principle.
Example Sentence: They upheld the values of honesty and integrity.
13. Unify
Definition: Bring things or people together.
Example Sentence: The governor aimed to unify the divided community.
14. Unwind
Definition: Relax after stress.
Example Sentence: He like to unwind after work by listening to music.
15. Unload
Definition: Remove goods from a vehicle, ship, container, etc.
Example Sentence: The workers unloaded the boxes from the truck.
16. Untie
Definition: Loosen or remove a knot.
Example Sentence: The toddler untied his shoelaces with frustration.
17. Usher
Definition: Guide someone to a place.
Example Sentence: The staff ushered guests to their seats.
18. Utter
Definition: Say something aloud.
Example Sentence: He uttered a single word before storming off.
19. Underestimate
Definition: Judge something as less than it is.
Example Sentence: Don’t underestimate her abilities!
20. Upgrade
Definition: Improve something to a better version.
Example Sentence: I upgraded my computer’s software last night.
21. Unsubscribe
Definition: Opt out from receiving communications.
Example Sentence: I unsubscribe from mailing list all the time.
22. Undermine
Definition: Weaken or harm something gradually.
Example Sentence: Gossiping will undermine trust.
23. Unravel
Definition: Undo or solve something complicated.
Example Sentence: They unraveled the mystery with ease.
24. Unleash
Definition: Release something powerful.
Example Sentence: The owner unleashed her dog and the robbers ran off.
25. Undertake
Definition: Commit to a task.
Example Sentence: He undertook the project with confidence.
26. Unplug
Definition: Disconnect from a power source.
Example Sentence: Always unplug devices before cleaning.
27. Unroll
Definition: Open or flatten something that is rolled.
Example Sentence: She unrolled the map on the table.
28. Untangle
Definition: Free from knots or complications.
Example Sentence: He untangled the rope with ease.
29. Unveil
Definition: Reveal something formally.
Example Sentence: They unveiled the new product at the expo.
30. Upstage
Definition: Attract more attention than someone else.
Example Sentence: She tried upstaging the bride at her wedding.
31. Upend
Definition: Overturn or disrupt.
Example Sentence: The discovery upended previous theories.
32. Unhinge
Definition: Make mentally unstable.
Example Sentence: The constant stress unhinged him.
33. Underperform
Definition: Do worse than expected.
Example Sentence: The sales team underperformed this quarter.
34. Underline
Definition: Emphasize something.
Example Sentence: She underlined the main points in her notes.
35. Unbalance
Definition: Disturb the stability.
Example Sentence: I feel unbalanced when I don’t meditate.
36. Undertone
Definition: Suggest something subtly.
Example Sentence: There was a certain undertone of sarcasm.
37. Unfasten
Definition: Open something that is secured.
Example Sentence: He unfastened his seatbelt quickly.
38. Upcycle
Definition: Reuse material creatively.
Example Sentence: She upcycled old jeans into a tote bag.
39. Upscale
Definition: Improve in quality.
Example Sentence: They upscaled the restaurant’s menu.
40. Uplift
Definition: Raise emotionally or physically.
Example Sentence: Her words uplifted the team’s spirit.
41. Usurp
Definition: Take power unlawfully.
Example Sentence: He tried to usurp the throne.
42. Unarm
Definition: Disarm someone.
Example Sentence: The officer unarmed the suspect safely.
43. Unchain
Definition: Release from restriction or limits.
Example Sentence: He unchained the bicycle and rode away.
44. Unclog
Definition: Remove a blockage.
Example Sentence: I unclogged the sink using a plunger.
45. Unfreeze
Definition: Cause something frozen to become unfrozen.
Example Sentence: I left the meat to unfreeze overnight before cooking.
46. Unlace
Definition: Loosen or remove laces.
Example Sentence: He unlaced his boots after work.
47. Unload
Definition: Remove contents or burden.
Example Sentence: They unloaded all their worries during the meeting.
48. Unravel
Definition: Solve or explain something complex.
Example Sentence: The detective unraveled the clues quickly.
49. Untap
Definition: Access or release something unused.
Example Sentence: They untapped the potential of the new system.
50. Unzip
Definition: Open something using a zipper.
Example Sentence: She unzipped her backpack to get her book out.
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