Alphabetical word directory
English words starting with U
Showing words 1–120 of 1,676. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.
u-shape
na shape or pattern that resembles the letter 'U', especially one that curves downward and then upward
u-shaped
adjhaving a shape like the letter 'u'
U-turn
na turn of 180 degrees made by a vehicle to go back in the direction it came from
ubiquinone
nA compound that is an essential component of the electron transport chain in cellular respiration, found in all living cells.
ubiquitous
adjseeming to be everywhere or in several places at the same time; very common
ubiquitously
advin a way that appears, exists, or is found everywhere.
ubiquity
nThe fact of appearing or being found everywhere.
udder
nThe large bag-like organ of a cow, goat, or other female mammal, containing the mammary glands and producing milk.
udon
nA type of thick, chewy Japanese noodle made from wheat flour.
UFO
nan object seen in the sky or landing on earth, which is thought by some people to be a spacecraft from another planet; an unidentified flying object
ugandan
adjRelating to Uganda, its people, or their culture.
ugh
interjUsed to express strong disgust, horror, or aversion.
ugliness
nThe quality of being unpleasant or repulsive in appearance.
ugly
adjunpleasant or repulsive to look at; not beautiful or attractive.
uh
interjUsed to express hesitation or uncertainty.
uh-huh
interjused to indicate agreement, affirmation, or acknowledgment.
uh-oh
interjused to express mild alarm, concern, or realization of a problem or mistake.
uh-uh
interjused to indicate a negative response or disagreement, meaning "no"
ujamaa
nA Swahili term for a form of cooperative economics and social organization based on familyhood and community self-reliance, promoted as a socialist policy in post-colonial Tanzania.
uke
nA short, informal term for the ukulele, a small, four-stringed Hawaiian musical instrument resembling a small guitar.
ukelele
nA small, four-stringed Hawaiian musical instrument resembling a guitar.
Ukrainian
adjRelating to Ukraine, its people, or their language.
ukranian
adjRelating to Ukraine, its people, or their language.
ukulele
na small, four-stringed musical instrument of the guitar family, originating in hawaii.
ulama
nA body of Muslim scholars recognized as having specialist knowledge of Islamic sacred law and theology.
ulcer
nAn open sore on an external or internal surface of the body, often forming pus and caused by a break in the skin or mucous membrane that fails to heal.
ulcerate
vto become affected with an ulcer
ulcerated
adjaffected with or characterized by an ulcer or ulcers.
ulceration
nThe process of forming an ulcer.
ulcerative
adjrelating to, causing, or characterized by the formation of ulcers
ulna
nthe longer and thinner of the two bones in the human forearm, on the side opposite to the thumb.
ulnar
adjRelating to or affecting the ulna or the region of the forearm on the same side as this bone.
ulterior
adjexisting beyond what is obvious or admitted; intentionally hidden
ultima
nthe last syllable of a word
ultimacy
nthe fact or condition of being ultimate; the final or most important stage or result.
ultimate
adjBeing or happening at the end of a process; final.
ultimately
advfinally; after a series of events or a long process.
ultimatum
na final demand or statement of terms, the rejection of which will result in retaliation or a breakdown in relations.
ultra
adjgoing beyond what is usual or ordinary; extreme
ultra-chic
adjExtremely fashionable, elegant, or stylish.
ultra-clean
adjExtremely clean; free from contamination to a very high degree.
ultra-competitive
adjextremely competitive; involving or characterized by an intense desire to be more successful than others.
ultra-efficient
adjextremely efficient; achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
ultra-high
adjextremely high; exceeding a normal or standard high level
ultra-liberal
adjholding extremely liberal political or social views, especially beyond the mainstream.
ultra-low
adjextremely low; lower than usual or normal
ultra-nationalist
adjholding extreme nationalist views; characterized by extreme nationalism.
ultra-orthodox
adjadhering to an extremely strict or fundamental interpretation of religious doctrine or practice, especially in judaism.
ultra-sensitive
adjextremely sensitive; reacting very strongly or quickly to small changes or stimuli.
ultra-thin
adjextremely thin; having a very small thickness.
ultra-violent
adjExtremely or excessively violent; characterized by extreme physical force or intensity.
ultraconservative
adjextremely conservative in politics, religion, or social attitudes; opposing any form of change or innovation.
ultralight
adjextremely light in weight
ultramarine
adjof a brilliant deep blue color
ultramodern
adjextremely modern; using the most recent ideas, designs, or materials
ultramundane
adjLying beyond or outside the known physical world; supernatural or celestial.
ultraorthodox
adjAdhering to an extremely strict or fundamental interpretation of religious doctrine or principles, especially in Judaism.
ultraportable
adjextremely light and compact, and therefore easy to carry or move.
ultrasonic
adjrelating to sound waves with a frequency above the upper limit of human hearing.
ultrasonography
na medical technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures inside the body.
ultrasound
nsound or other vibrations having an ultrasonic frequency, used in medical imaging and other diagnostic techniques.
ultraviolet
adjrelating to or denoting electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light but longer than x-rays.
ululate
vTo make a long, high-pitched sound like a howl or wail, especially to express great emotion such as grief or joy.
ululation
nA long, high-pitched, wavering cry or howl, especially as an expression of strong emotion.
um
interjUsed to express hesitation or a pause in speech.
um-hmm
interjA vocalized sound used to express agreement, affirmation, or to indicate that one is listening and encouraging the speaker to continue.
umbel
nA flower cluster in which stalks of nearly equal length spring from a common center and form a flat or curved surface, characteristic of plants such as parsley and carrot.
umber
nA natural brownish earth pigment containing iron and manganese oxides.
umbilical
adjRelating to or affecting the navel or the umbilical cord.
umbilicus
nthe small, hollow scar in the centre of the abdomen where the umbilical cord was attached; the navel.
umbra
nThe fully shaded inner region of a shadow cast by an opaque object, especially the area on the earth or moon experiencing the total phase of an eclipse.
umbrage
na feeling of being offended by what someone has said or done
umbral
adjRelating to or forming a shadow, especially the darkest part of a shadow.
umbrella
nA device consisting of a circular folding frame covered in cloth that you hold over your head to protect yourself from the rain.
umbrian
adjRelating to Umbria, its ancient inhabitants, their language, or their culture.
umeboshi
na japanese pickled plum, typically salty and sour, often used as a condiment or palate cleanser.
umm
interjA vocalized pause or filler sound used in speech, typically indicating hesitation, doubt, or that the speaker is thinking.
umma
nThe whole community of Muslims bound together by ties of religion.
ummah
nThe whole community of Muslims bound together by ties of religion.
ummm
interjA vocalized pause or hesitation sound, often indicating thinking, uncertainty, or a desire to hold the floor in conversation.
ump
n(informal) A person who acts as an official in a sports game, especially in baseball, making sure the rules are followed.
umpire
nan official who watches a game or match closely to enforce the rules and arbitrate on matters arising from the play.
umpteen
adjA large, indefinite number
umpteenth
adjUsed to refer to an unspecified, indefinitely large number in a sequence of similar things.
un-american
adjNot in accordance with the customs, principles, or traditions of the United States of America.
un-christian
adjNot in accordance with the teachings or spirit of Christianity.
un-sponsored
adjNot having received financial or other support from a sponsor.
unabashed
adjnot embarrassed, ashamed, or made to feel less confident, especially in a situation where others might be.
unabashedly
advin a confident and unashamed way, without showing any embarrassment or shame
unabated
adjcontinuing at full strength or intensity without any reduction.
unable
adjnot having the skill, strength, time, knowledge, etc. to do something
unabridged
adj(of a text) complete and without any parts removed or shortened.
unaccented
adj(of a syllable or word) spoken without a stress or emphasis.
unacceptability
nthe quality or state of being unacceptable; the fact of not being satisfactory or allowable.
unacceptable
adjnot satisfactory or allowable; too bad to be accepted or approved of
unacceptably
advto a degree that is not satisfactory or allowable
unaccompanied
adjWithout an escort or companion; alone.
unaccountable
adjimpossible to explain or give reasons for.
unaccountably
advin a manner that is difficult or impossible to explain or understand
unaccounted-for
adjnot included in an account or calculation; not considered or explained
unaccredited
adjnot officially recognized or authorized.
unaccustomed
adjnot familiar with something; not used to something
unachievable
adjNot able to be accomplished or attained; impossible to achieve.
unacknowledged
adjNot recognized, accepted, or admitted as existing or true.
unacquainted
adjNot having knowledge or experience of something; unfamiliar with something or someone.
unaddressed
adj(of a problem, issue, or matter) not having been dealt with or considered.
unadjusted
adjnot altered or changed to account for particular conditions or circumstances.
unadorned
adjnot decorated; plain or simple.
unadulterated
adjnot mixed or diluted with any different or extra elements; complete and absolute.
unadventurous
adjNot willing to take risks or try new and exciting things.
unaffected
adjnot changed or influenced by something; remaining the same
unaffiliated
adjnot officially connected to or controlled by a group or organization.
unaffordable
adjtoo expensive to be afforded by most people; beyond one's financial means.
unaided
adjDone or achieved without help from anyone or anything else.
unalienable
adjNot able to be taken away or denied; inherent and permanent.
unaligned
adjNot aligned or placed in a straight line or correct relative position.
unalike
adjNot alike or similar; different.
unalloyed
adj(of a positive feeling or state) complete and unreserved; pure and unadulterated.
unalterable
adjnot capable of being changed or altered.
unalterably
advIn a way that cannot be changed or modified.