Oxford 3000 Words Starting with U – Complete List with Meanings & Quizzes

ugly adjective

Short meaning: unpleasant to look at; not attractive.

Example: The building was old and rather ugly.

ultimate adjective

Short meaning: happening at the end; the best or most important.

Example: The ultimate decision is yours.

ultimately adverb

Short meaning: in the end; after everything else has happened.

Example: Ultimately, we chose the cheaper option.

umbrella noun

Short meaning: a device for protection from rain or sun.

Example: Don't forget your umbrella—it might rain.

unable adjective

Short meaning: not able to do something.

Example: She was unable to attend the meeting.

unacceptable adjective

Short meaning: not good enough; not allowed or not satisfactory.

Example: His behavior was completely unacceptable.

uncertain adjective

Short meaning: not sure; not able to be predicted or known.

Example: The future of the project is uncertain.

uncle noun

Short meaning: the brother of your mother or father.

Example: My uncle lives abroad.

uncomfortable adjective

Short meaning: feeling uneasy or not physically comfortable.

Example: The chair was too hard and uncomfortable.

unconscious adjective

Short meaning: not awake and not aware of what is happening.

Example: He was unconscious after the accident.

uncontrolled adjective

Short meaning: not managed or limited; happening freely without control.

Example: The fire spread in an uncontrolled way.

under preposition

Short meaning: in a lower position than something; covered by something.

Example: The cat is hiding under the table.

underground adjective / adverb

Short meaning: below the surface of the ground.

Example: Many cities have underground train systems.

underneath preposition / adverb

Short meaning: directly below something, especially hidden.

Example: The letter was underneath a pile of papers.

understand verb

Short meaning: to know or realize the meaning of something.

Example: Do you understand the instructions?

understanding noun

Short meaning: the ability to understand or an agreement between people.

Example: They reached an understanding about the plan.

underwater adjective

Short meaning: located or happening below the surface of water.

Example: They went on an underwater exploration.

underwear noun

Short meaning: clothes worn next to the skin under other clothes.

Example: She bought new underwear from the store.

undo verb

Short meaning: to cancel the effect of something or return to a previous state.

Example: You can undo the last step in most software.

unemployed adjective

Short meaning: not having a job; without work.

Example: Many people became unemployed during the crisis.

unemployment noun

Short meaning: the state of not having a job; the number of jobless people.

Example: Unemployment is rising in many regions.

unexpected adjective

Short meaning: happening suddenly or without warning.

Example: Their visit was completely unexpected.

unfair adjective

Short meaning: not treating people equally or reasonably.

Example: The rules seemed unfair to many players.

unfortunate adjective

Short meaning: unlucky; causing sadness or problems.

Example: It was an unfortunate mistake.

unfortunately adverb

Short meaning: used to express regret or sadness about something.

Example: Unfortunately, we arrived too late.

unfriendly adjective

Short meaning: not kind or pleasant; behaving in a cold or rude way.

Example: The staff seemed unfriendly today.

unhappy adjective

Short meaning: sad or not satisfied with something.

Example: She was unhappy with the results.

uniform noun / adjective

Short meaning (n): special clothes worn by members of the same group.

Short meaning (adj): always the same in form or appearance.

Example: Students must wear the school uniform.

unimportant adjective

Short meaning: not significant or not worth much attention.

Example: It was a small, unimportant detail.

union noun

Short meaning: the act of joining two or more things together; an organized group of workers.

Example: The two companies formed a union.

unique adjective

Short meaning: one of a kind; unlike anything else.

Example: Each child has unique abilities.

unit noun

Short meaning: a single thing, person, or group forming part of a larger whole.

Example: The course is divided into four units.

unite verb

Short meaning: to join together or make people come together for a purpose.

Example: The groups united to support the project.

united adjective

Short meaning: joined together for a common purpose.

Example: They made a united decision.

universal adjective

Short meaning: done by or affecting all people; common everywhere.

Example: Laughter is a universal language.

universe noun

Short meaning: all space, planets, stars, and matter that exist.

Example: The universe is incredibly vast.

university noun

Short meaning: a place where students study for degrees and higher education.

Example: She hopes to attend university next year.

unkind adjective

Short meaning: not kind; unpleasant or hurtful.

Example: It was unkind of him to say that.

unknown adjective

Short meaning: not known or familiar.

Example: The author of the quote is unknown.

unless conjunction

Short meaning: except if something happens.

Example: We won’t start unless everyone is ready.

unlike preposition / adjective

Short meaning: different from someone or something.

Example: Unlike her sister, she enjoys math.

unlikely adjective

Short meaning: not expected to happen; improbable.

Example: It’s unlikely to rain today.

unload verb

Short meaning: to remove things from a vehicle or container.

Example: They helped unload the boxes.

unlucky adjective

Short meaning: having or causing bad luck.

Example: He had an unlucky start to the week.

unnecessary adjective

Short meaning: not needed or not required.

Example: Don’t add unnecessary details.

unpleasant adjective

Short meaning: not enjoyable; causing discomfort or dislike.

Example: The weather became unpleasant.

unreasonable adjective

Short meaning: not fair or sensible; expecting too much.

Example: His demands were unreasonable.

unsteady adjective

Short meaning: not stable; likely to move or fall.

Example: His steps were unsteady after the injury.

unsuccessful adjective

Short meaning: not achieving the desired result; failing in an attempt.

Example: The project was unsuccessful.

until conjunction / preposition

Short meaning: up to the time that something happens.

Example: Wait here until I return.

unusual adjective

Short meaning: not common, rare, or different from normal.

Example: It’s unusual to see snow here in April.

unusually adverb

Short meaning: more than is normal or expected.

Example: She was unusually quiet today.

unwilling adjective

Short meaning: not wanting to do something; reluctant.

Example: He seemed unwilling to answer the question.

up adverb / preposition

Short meaning: towards a higher place or position.

Example: She climbed up the stairs quickly.

upon preposition

Short meaning: formal version of “on,” used in writing.

Example: She smiled upon hearing the news.

upper adjective

Short meaning: located higher, above something else.

Example: Their office is on the upper floor.

upset adjective / verb

Short meaning (adj): unhappy or worried.
Short meaning (verb): to make someone unhappy or uncomfortable.

Example: She was upset by the news.

upside down adjective / adverb

Short meaning: in a position where the top is at the bottom.

Example: The picture was hung upside down.

upstairs adverb / adjective

Short meaning: on or to the floor above.

Example: The bedrooms are all upstairs.

upward adverb

Short meaning: moving towards a higher level.

Example: Prices are moving upward.

urban adjective

Short meaning: related to a city or town.

Example: Urban areas are becoming more crowded.

urge verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to strongly encourage someone.
Short meaning (noun): a strong desire or need.

Example: Doctors urge people to exercise.

urgent adjective

Short meaning: very important and needing quick action.

Example: This is an urgent medical case.

us pronoun

Short meaning: the object form of “we.”

Example: Please give us a moment.

use verb / noun

Short meaning (verb): to do something with a tool, object, or method.
Short meaning (noun): the purpose or function of something.

Example: You can use my laptop if you need to.

used adjective

Short meaning: not new; owned or used before by someone else.

Example: I bought a used bicycle.

used to modal expression

Short meaning: describes a past habit or situation that no longer exists.

Example: I used to live in London.

useful adjective

Short meaning: able to help or be used for a practical purpose.

Example: This guide is very useful for beginners.

useless adjective

Short meaning: not helpful; unable to do something well.

Example: This broken tool is useless now.

user noun

Short meaning: a person who uses a product, system, or service.

Example: The website has thousands of active users.

usual adjective

Short meaning: normal or typical; what happens most of the time.

Example: He arrived at the usual time.

usually adverb

Short meaning: in most cases; normally.

Example: I usually drink coffee in the morning.