Alphabetical word directory
English words starting with U
Showing words 481–600 of 1,676. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.
underreport
vTo report something as being less than it actually is, especially a number or amount.
underreporting
nThe act or practice of reporting a number, amount, or incidence as being lower than it actually is.
underrepresentation
nThe state or condition of being represented in insufficient numbers or to an inadequate degree, especially in relation to a particular group within a larger population.
underrepresented
adjhaving less representation or presence in a particular group, field, or context than would be expected based on their proportion in the population.
underscore
vTo draw a line under a word or phrase to give it emphasis or importance.
undersea
adjexisting, happening, or used beneath the surface of the sea
undersecretary
nan official who is directly subordinate to a principal official, especially a cabinet secretary.
undersell
vto sell something at a lower price than a competitor
underserved
adjnot provided with adequate service or resources, especially by a government or organization.
undershirt
na piece of underwear, typically with short sleeves and no collar, worn under a shirt or other garment next to the skin.
underside
nthe side or surface that is underneath; the bottom side.
undersigned
adj(used in legal or formal documents) referring to the person or people who have signed the document
undersize
adjsmaller than the usual or standard size.
undersized
adjsmaller than the usual or normal size.
underskirt
na skirt worn under another skirt; a petticoat.
understaffed
adjhaving fewer members of staff than are needed to function effectively.
understand
vTo know the meaning of something, or the reason for or cause of something.
understandable
adjAble to be understood; comprehensible.
understandably
advIn a way that is reasonable and easy to accept because of the circumstances.
understanding
nThe knowledge, ability, or act of grasping the meaning, nature, or importance of something.
understandingly
advIn a way that shows sympathy, tolerance, or comprehension.
understate
vto describe or represent something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it really is.
understated
adjPresented or expressed in a subtle and effective way, not obvious or loud.
understatement
na statement that makes something seem less important, impressive, or severe than it really is.
understeer
na handling condition in which a vehicle's front tires lose traction before the rear tires during a turn, causing the vehicle to turn less sharply than intended.
understood
vthe past tense and past participle of understand.
understory
nThe layer of vegetation, consisting of shrubs, small trees, and other plants, that grows beneath the main canopy of a forest.
understudied
adjNot studied or researched enough; insufficiently examined or understood.
understudy
nan actor who learns another actor's part in order to be able to take their place in a performance if necessary.
undersurface
nThe lower or bottom surface of something.
undertake
vTo make yourself responsible for something and start doing it.
undertaker
nA person whose job is to arrange funerals and prepare the dead for burial or cremation.
undertaking
na task or project, especially one that is important, difficult, or requires a lot of effort
underthings
nA dated or euphemistic term for underwear or undergarments.
undertone
na low or quiet tone of voice
undertow
nA strong current flowing below the surface of the water, moving in the opposite direction to the surface current.
underuse
vto use something less than it could or should be used
underused
adjused less than is possible, desirable, or normal
underutilization
nThe act or fact of not using something enough or as effectively as possible.
underutilized
adjused less or less effectively than is possible or desirable
undervaluation
nthe act of setting a value on something that is too low.
undervalue
vto value something at less than its true worth
undervalued
adjconsidered to be less valuable or important than it really is
underwater
adjlocated, occurring, or used beneath the surface of the water
underway
adjHaving started and in progress; being done or carried out
underwear
nclothing worn next to the skin and under other clothes.
underweight
adjweighing less than is normal, healthy, or required
underwhelming
adjfailing to impress or make a positive impact; disappointing.
underwing
na hind wing of an insect, especially when it is concealed or differently colored from the forewing.
underwire
na thin, flexible wire sewn into the lower edge of a bra cup to provide support and shape.
underworld
nthe world of criminals or of organized crime.
underwrite
vto agree to pay for a cost, damage, or loss if it happens, especially by an insurance contract.
underwriter
nA person or company that assesses and accepts the risk of insuring someone or something, or of financing a venture, for a fee.
underwriting
nThe activity or job of accepting financial responsibility for a risk, especially by an insurance company or bank, in return for payment.
undescended
adj(of a testicle) not having moved down into the scrotum before birth
undeserved
adjnot earned or justified; not deserved.
undeservedly
advin a way that is not earned or justified; without being merited.
undeserving
adjnot having good enough qualities to have or be given something.
undesignated
adjNot officially chosen or set aside for a particular purpose or person.
undesirability
nthe state or quality of being not wanted or welcome because of being harmful, offensive, or unpleasant.
undesirable
adjnot wanted or approved of; likely to cause problems or disadvantages
undesired
adjnot wanted or wished for; not desired.
undetectable
adjnot able to be discovered or found.
undetected
adjnot discovered or noticed
undetermined
adjnot yet having been decided or settled
undeterred
adjnot discouraged or prevented from acting
undeveloped
adjnot having been built on or used for farming, mining, etc.
undiagnosed
adjNot having been identified or recognized as a particular disease or condition.
undifferentiated
adjnot having been made different or distinct; lacking differentiation or specialization.
undigested
adj(of food) not having been broken down in the stomach and absorbed by the body
undignified
adjappearing foolish and lacking in self-respect or seriousness.
undiluted
adjnot made weaker or less pure by having something else added
undiminished
adjnot reduced or lessened; remaining at the original level of strength, intensity, or value.
undimmed
adjNot made less bright or intense; not faded or obscured.
undiplomatic
adjnot showing sensitivity or skill in dealing with others, especially in official situations; tactless or blunt.
undirected
adj(of a graph, edge, etc.) having no direction assigned; not pointing from one specific vertex to another.
undisciplined
adjlacking discipline or self-control; behaving in an uncontrolled way.
undisclosed
adjnot revealed or made known publicly
undiscovered
adjNot found or identified; not known or explored.
undiscriminating
adjNot showing good judgment or careful thought; accepting or liking too many things without considering their quality or value.
undiscussed
adjnot talked about or considered by people
undisguised
adjnot concealed or hidden; open and obvious.
undisputable
adjnot able to be questioned or argued against; undeniable.
undisputed
adjaccepted as true or correct by everyone; not doubted or argued about
undistinguished
adjnot particularly good, interesting, or impressive; ordinary and not special.
undistorted
adjnot altered, misrepresented, or distorted; remaining accurate or true to the original.
undistributed
adjnot having been shared out among a group of people or things.
undisturbed
adjnot disturbed; calm, tranquil, or uninterrupted.
undivided
adjnot separated into parts or shared with others; complete or whole.
undo
vTo open or release something that was tied, fastened, or closed.
undocumented
adjNot recorded in or proved by official documents or evidence.
undoing
nThe cause of someone's failure, ruin, or downfall.
undomesticated
adj(of an animal) not tamed or kept as a pet or on a farm; living wild
undone
adjnot tied or fastened
undoubted
adjUsed to emphasize that something is definitely true or real; not doubted or questioned.
undoubtedly
advUsed to emphasize that something is certainly true or will certainly happen.
undrafted
adjNot selected in a professional sports draft.
undrained
adj(of land or soil) not provided with drains; not drained.
undramatic
adjNot dramatic; lacking in excitement, emotional intensity, or striking effect.
undreamed
adjnot thought of or imagined; beyond what was previously considered possible.
undreamed-of
adjNot thought of or imagined; beyond what was expected or considered possible.
undress
vTo take off your clothes or someone else's clothes.
undressed
adjNot wearing any clothes
undrinkable
adjnot suitable or safe for drinking.
undue
adjexcessive or unwarranted; more than is appropriate or deserved
undulant
adjMoving in a smooth, wavelike motion; having a rising and falling form or outline.
undulate
vto move or appear to move with a smooth, wavelike motion.
undulating
adjHaving a smooth, wavelike shape or motion; rising and falling like waves.
undulation
nA smooth, wavelike motion or form.
unduly
advTo an excessive or inappropriate degree; more than is reasonable or necessary.
unduplicated
adjNot duplicated; existing as a single, unique copy or instance.
undyed
adjnot dyed; having the natural color of the material.
undying
adjLasting forever; never ending or weakening.
unearned
adjnot gained by work, service, or skill; not deserved.
unearth
vto find something in the ground by digging
unearthed
vto find something in the ground by digging
unearthing
vthe action of finding something in the ground by digging
unearthly
adjseeming not to belong to this world or nature; strange and mysterious
unease
nA feeling of worry or anxiety; a state of being uncomfortable or uneasy.
uneasily
advin a way that shows you are nervous, uncomfortable, or worried