Alphabetical word directory

English words starting with U

Showing words 481600 of 1,676. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.

underreport

v

To report something as being less than it actually is, especially a number or amount.

[ˌʌndərɪˈpɔːrt]

underreporting

n

The act or practice of reporting a number, amount, or incidence as being lower than it actually is.

[ˌʌndərɪˈpɔːrtɪŋ]

underrepresentation

n

The 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.

[ˌʌndərˌreprɪzenˈteɪʃən]

underrepresented

adj

having less representation or presence in a particular group, field, or context than would be expected based on their proportion in the population.

[ˌʌndərˌreprɪˈzentɪd]

underscore

v

To draw a line under a word or phrase to give it emphasis or importance.

[ˈʌndərskɔːr]

undersea

adj

existing, happening, or used beneath the surface of the sea

[ˌʌndərˈsiː]

undersecretary

n

an official who is directly subordinate to a principal official, especially a cabinet secretary.

[ˌʌndərˈsekrəteri]

undersell

v

to sell something at a lower price than a competitor

[ˌʌndərˈsel]

underserved

adj

not provided with adequate service or resources, especially by a government or organization.

[ˌʌndərˈsɜːrvd]

undershirt

n

a piece of underwear, typically with short sleeves and no collar, worn under a shirt or other garment next to the skin.

[ˈʌndərʃɜːrt]

underside

n

the side or surface that is underneath; the bottom side.

[ˈʌndərsaɪd]

undersigned

adj

(used in legal or formal documents) referring to the person or people who have signed the document

[ˌʌndərˈsaɪnd]

undersize

adj

smaller than the usual or standard size.

[ˌʌn.dɚˈsaɪz]

undersized

adj

smaller than the usual or normal size.

[ˌʌndərˈsaɪzd]

underskirt

n

a skirt worn under another skirt; a petticoat.

[ˈʌndərskɜːrt]

understaffed

adj

having fewer members of staff than are needed to function effectively.

[ˌʌndərˈstæft]

understand

v

To know the meaning of something, or the reason for or cause of something.

[ˌʌn.dɚˈstænd]

understandable

adj

Able to be understood; comprehensible.

[ˌʌndərˈstændəbl]

understandably

adv

In a way that is reasonable and easy to accept because of the circumstances.

[ˌʌndərˈstændəbli]

understanding

n

The knowledge, ability, or act of grasping the meaning, nature, or importance of something.

[ˌʌndərˈstændɪŋ]

understandingly

adv

In a way that shows sympathy, tolerance, or comprehension.

[ˌʌndərˈstændɪŋli]

understate

v

to describe or represent something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it really is.

[ˌʌndərˈsteɪt]

understated

adj

Presented or expressed in a subtle and effective way, not obvious or loud.

[ˌʌndərˈsteɪtɪd]

understatement

n

a statement that makes something seem less important, impressive, or severe than it really is.

[ˌʌndərˈsteɪtmənt]

understeer

n

a 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.

[ˌʌndərˈstɪr]

understood

v

the past tense and past participle of understand.

[ˌʌn.dɚˈstʊd]

understory

n

The layer of vegetation, consisting of shrubs, small trees, and other plants, that grows beneath the main canopy of a forest.

[ˈʌndərstɔːri]

understudied

adj

Not studied or researched enough; insufficiently examined or understood.

[ˌʌndərˈstʌdɪd]

understudy

n

an actor who learns another actor's part in order to be able to take their place in a performance if necessary.

[ˈʌndərˌstʌdi]

undersurface

n

The lower or bottom surface of something.

[ˌʌndərˈsɜːrfɪs]

undertake

v

To make yourself responsible for something and start doing it.

[ˌʌn.dɚˈteɪk]

undertaker

n

A person whose job is to arrange funerals and prepare the dead for burial or cremation.

[ˈʌn.dɚˌteɪ.kɚ]

undertaking

n

a task or project, especially one that is important, difficult, or requires a lot of effort

[ˌʌn.dɚˈteɪ.kɪŋ]

underthings

n

A dated or euphemistic term for underwear or undergarments.

[ˈʌndərˌθɪŋz]

undertone

n

a low or quiet tone of voice

[ˈʌndərtoʊn]

undertow

n

A strong current flowing below the surface of the water, moving in the opposite direction to the surface current.

[ˈʌndərtoʊ]

underuse

v

to use something less than it could or should be used

[ˌʌndərˈjuːs]

underused

adj

used less than is possible, desirable, or normal

[ˌʌndərˈjuːzd]

underutilization

n

The act or fact of not using something enough or as effectively as possible.

[ˌʌn.dɚˌjuː.t̬əl.əˈzeɪ.ʃən]

underutilized

adj

used less or less effectively than is possible or desirable

[ˌʌndərˈjuːtəlaɪzd]

undervaluation

n

the act of setting a value on something that is too low.

[ˌʌndərvæljuˈeɪʃən]

undervalue

v

to value something at less than its true worth

[ˌʌndərˈvæljuː]

undervalued

adj

considered to be less valuable or important than it really is

[ˌʌndərˈvæljuːd]

underwater

adj

located, occurring, or used beneath the surface of the water

[ˌʌndərˈwɔːtər]

underway

adj

Having started and in progress; being done or carried out

[ˌʌndərˈweɪ]

underwear

n

clothing worn next to the skin and under other clothes.

[ˈʌndərwer]

underweight

adj

weighing less than is normal, healthy, or required

[ˌʌndərˈweɪt]

underwhelming

adj

failing to impress or make a positive impact; disappointing.

[ˌʌndərˈwelmɪŋ]

underwing

n

a hind wing of an insect, especially when it is concealed or differently colored from the forewing.

[ˈʌndərwɪŋ]

underwire

n

a thin, flexible wire sewn into the lower edge of a bra cup to provide support and shape.

[ˈʌndərwaɪər]

underworld

n

the world of criminals or of organized crime.

[ˈʌndərwɜːrld]

underwrite

v

to agree to pay for a cost, damage, or loss if it happens, especially by an insurance contract.

[ˈʌndərˌraɪt]

underwriter

n

A person or company that assesses and accepts the risk of insuring someone or something, or of financing a venture, for a fee.

[ˈʌndərˌraɪtər]

underwriting

n

The activity or job of accepting financial responsibility for a risk, especially by an insurance company or bank, in return for payment.

[ˈʌndərˌraɪtɪŋ]

undescended

adj

(of a testicle) not having moved down into the scrotum before birth

[ˌʌn.dɪˈsen.dɪd]

undeserved

adj

not earned or justified; not deserved.

[ˌʌndɪˈzɜːrvd]

undeservedly

adv

in a way that is not earned or justified; without being merited.

[ˌʌndɪˈzɜːrvɪdli]

undeserving

adj

not having good enough qualities to have or be given something.

[ˌʌndɪˈzɜːrvɪŋ]

undesignated

adj

Not officially chosen or set aside for a particular purpose or person.

[ˌʌnˈdɛzɪɡneɪtɪd]

undesirability

n

the state or quality of being not wanted or welcome because of being harmful, offensive, or unpleasant.

[ˌʌndɪˌzaɪrəˈbɪləti]

undesirable

adj

not wanted or approved of; likely to cause problems or disadvantages

[ˌʌndɪˈzaɪərəbl]

undesired

adj

not wanted or wished for; not desired.

[ˌʌndɪˈzaɪərd]

undetectable

adj

not able to be discovered or found.

[ˌʌn.dɪˈtek.tə.bəl]

undetected

adj

not discovered or noticed

[ˌʌndɪˈtɛktɪd]

undetermined

adj

not yet having been decided or settled

[ˌʌn.dɪˈtɝː.mɪnd]

undeterred

adj

not discouraged or prevented from acting

[ˌʌn.dɪˈtɜːrd]

undeveloped

adj

not having been built on or used for farming, mining, etc.

[ˌʌndɪˈveləpt]

undiagnosed

adj

Not having been identified or recognized as a particular disease or condition.

[ˌʌn.daɪ.əɡˈnoʊst]

undifferentiated

adj

not having been made different or distinct; lacking differentiation or specialization.

[ˌʌn.dɪf.əˈren.ʃi.eɪ.t̬ɪd]

undigested

adj

(of food) not having been broken down in the stomach and absorbed by the body

[ˌʌndɪˈdʒɛstɪd]

undignified

adj

appearing foolish and lacking in self-respect or seriousness.

[ʌnˈdɪɡ.nə.faɪd]

undiluted

adj

not made weaker or less pure by having something else added

[ˌʌndaɪˈluːtɪd]

undiminished

adj

not reduced or lessened; remaining at the original level of strength, intensity, or value.

[ˌʌndɪˈmɪnɪʃt]

undimmed

adj

Not made less bright or intense; not faded or obscured.

[ʌnˈdɪmd]

undiplomatic

adj

not showing sensitivity or skill in dealing with others, especially in official situations; tactless or blunt.

[ˌʌn.dɪp.ləˈmæt̬.ɪk]

undirected

adj

(of a graph, edge, etc.) having no direction assigned; not pointing from one specific vertex to another.

[ˌʌn.dɪˈrek.tɪd]

undisciplined

adj

lacking discipline or self-control; behaving in an uncontrolled way.

[ˌʌnˈdɪs.ə.plɪnd]

undisclosed

adj

not revealed or made known publicly

[ˌʌndɪˈskloʊzd]

undiscovered

adj

Not found or identified; not known or explored.

[ˌʌndɪˈskʌvərd]

undiscriminating

adj

Not showing good judgment or careful thought; accepting or liking too many things without considering their quality or value.

[ˌʌndɪˈskrɪmɪneɪtɪŋ]

undiscussed

adj

not talked about or considered by people

[ˌʌndɪˈskʌst]

undisguised

adj

not concealed or hidden; open and obvious.

[ˌʌndɪsˈɡaɪzd]

undisputable

adj

not able to be questioned or argued against; undeniable.

[ˌʌndɪˈspjuːtəbl̩]

undisputed

adj

accepted as true or correct by everyone; not doubted or argued about

[ˌʌndɪˈspjuːtɪd]

undistinguished

adj

not particularly good, interesting, or impressive; ordinary and not special.

[ˌʌndɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt]

undistorted

adj

not altered, misrepresented, or distorted; remaining accurate or true to the original.

[ˌʌndɪˈstɔːrtɪd]

undistributed

adj

not having been shared out among a group of people or things.

[ˌʌndɪˈstrɪbjuːtɪd]

undisturbed

adj

not disturbed; calm, tranquil, or uninterrupted.

[ˌʌndɪˈstɜːrbd]

undivided

adj

not separated into parts or shared with others; complete or whole.

[ˌʌndɪˈvaɪdɪd]

undo

v

To open or release something that was tied, fastened, or closed.

[ʌnˈduː]

undocumented

adj

Not recorded in or proved by official documents or evidence.

[ˌʌnˈdɑːkjəmentɪd]

undoing

n

The cause of someone's failure, ruin, or downfall.

[ʌnˈduːɪŋ]

undomesticated

adj

(of an animal) not tamed or kept as a pet or on a farm; living wild

[ˌʌndəˈmɛstɪkeɪtɪd]

undone

adj

not tied or fastened

[ʌnˈdʌn]

undoubted

adj

Used to emphasize that something is definitely true or real; not doubted or questioned.

[ʌnˈdaʊtɪd]

undoubtedly

adv

Used to emphasize that something is certainly true or will certainly happen.

[ʌnˈdaʊtɪdli]

undrafted

adj

Not selected in a professional sports draft.

[ʌnˈdræftɪd]

undrained

adj

(of land or soil) not provided with drains; not drained.

[ʌnˈdreɪnd]

undramatic

adj

Not dramatic; lacking in excitement, emotional intensity, or striking effect.

[ˌʌndrəˈmætɪk]

undreamed

adj

not thought of or imagined; beyond what was previously considered possible.

[ʌnˈdriːmd]

undreamed-of

adj

Not thought of or imagined; beyond what was expected or considered possible.

[ʌnˈdriːmd ʌv]

undress

v

To take off your clothes or someone else's clothes.

[ʌnˈdres]

undressed

adj

Not wearing any clothes

[ʌnˈdrɛst]

undrinkable

adj

not suitable or safe for drinking.

[ʌnˈdrɪŋkəbl]

undue

adj

excessive or unwarranted; more than is appropriate or deserved

[ʌnˈduː]

undulant

adj

Moving in a smooth, wavelike motion; having a rising and falling form or outline.

[ˈʌndʒʊlənt]

undulate

v

to move or appear to move with a smooth, wavelike motion.

[ˈʌndʒəleɪt]

undulating

adj

Having a smooth, wavelike shape or motion; rising and falling like waves.

[ˈʌndʒəleɪtɪŋ]

undulation

n

A smooth, wavelike motion or form.

[ˌʌndʒəˈleɪʃən]

unduly

adv

To an excessive or inappropriate degree; more than is reasonable or necessary.

[ʌnˈduːli]

unduplicated

adj

Not duplicated; existing as a single, unique copy or instance.

[ˌʌnˈduːplɪkeɪtɪd]

undyed

adj

not dyed; having the natural color of the material.

[ʌnˈdaɪd]

undying

adj

Lasting forever; never ending or weakening.

[ʌnˈdaɪɪŋ]

unearned

adj

not gained by work, service, or skill; not deserved.

[ʌnˈɜːrnd]

unearth

v

to find something in the ground by digging

[ʌnˈ�ɝːθ]

unearthed

v

to find something in the ground by digging

[ʌnˈɜːrθt]

unearthing

v

the action of finding something in the ground by digging

[ʌnˈ�ɜːrθɪŋ]

unearthly

adj

seeming not to belong to this world or nature; strange and mysterious

[ʌnˈɜːrθli]

unease

n

A feeling of worry or anxiety; a state of being uncomfortable or uneasy.

[ʌnˈiːz]

uneasily

adv

in a way that shows you are nervous, uncomfortable, or worried

[ʌnˈiːzɪli]
English Words Starting with U – Page 5 | OpenEtymology