We’ve been learning and utilizing nouns since childhood and in layman’s terms they are words we use to name everything we can taste, touch, smell, or hear, and nouns that start with U are no different. On top of that nouns beginning with U also grant us the prowess to flag abstract objects such as conception, emotions, ideas, and much more.
In order to craft an appealing plot, story, and scene description, we have to incorporate all sorts of people, places, physical, intangible things, or in short nouns. To that end, we should develop a personal lexicon packed with nouns that start with U and drill them over and over again till they become an integral part of our communication.
We’ll kick off this list with some effortless nouns that start with U and then climb our way all up to problematic ones. And in the end, we’ve put together positive nouns and nouns to describe someone which you can employ in your daily interactions to encourage someone and compliment them based on their attributes respectively. So, let’s see what this list of nouns starting with U has in store for us.
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Nouns That Start with U You Always Use
Effective communication is not about how many jazzy and snazzy words you can cram in a sentence. Instead, it’s about adjusting your style in accordance with the audience’s aptitude. Thus, let’s have a look at some habitually used nouns that start with U.
1. Umbrella
- Definition: a device used as protection against rain, consisting of a circular canopy of cloth on a folding metal frame
- Synonyms: parasol, sunshade
- Example: Take your umbrella with you.
2. Uncertainty
- Definition: the state of being uncertain or unsure about something
- Synonyms: unpredictability, unreliability, riskiness, chanciness
- Example: Uncertainty is a discouragement to investment.
3. Unevenness
- Definition: the quality of not being at same level, flat, or continuous throughout
- Synonyms: aperiodicity, inconsistence, inconsistency, irregularity
- Example: The unevenness of the ground caused me to trip up on every stone.
4. Unhappiness
- Definition: the feeling of sadness or not being happy
- Synonyms: sad, sadness, sorrow, depression
- Example: Unhappiness was woven into the natural fabric of people’s lives.
5. Uniformity
- Definition: the state of being uniform or consistent
- Synonyms: constancy, consistency, conformity, steadiness
- Example: They tried to ensure uniformity across the different departments.
6. Uniqueness
- Definition: the quality of being one of its kind or different from the rest
- Synonyms: distinctiveness, oneness, separateness, singleness
- Example: The author stresses the uniqueness of the individual.
7. Unit
- Definition: an individual thing or person regarded as single and complete self but can also be a part or component of a larger or more complex whole
- Synonyms: component, part, section, element
- Example: The basic unit of society is the family.
8. University
- Definition: a high-level educational institution which offers students programs and degrees and academic research opportunities
- Synonyms: college, academy, educational establishment, educational institution
- Example: He wrote a letter of acceptance to the university.
9. Upside
- Definition: the positive aspect or part of a situation
- Synonyms: positive side, better part, merit, advantage
- Example: Every opportunity has both upsides and downsides.
10. Usefulness
- Definition: the quality of an object of being useful or product able
- Synonyms: functionality, practicality, serviceability, fitness
- Example: We were doubtful about the product’s usefulness from the start.
Nouns That Start with U You Usually Use
Flamboyant and traditional nouns starting with U sure have their place in refining our statements but what makes our statements a cut above the competition is how we breathe our voice, life, and essence into them.
1. Unavailability
- Definition: state of something being unavailable for work or utilization
- Synonyms: deficiency, lack, absence, the inadequacy
- Example: The unavailability of apparatus rendered the experiment rather difficult.
2. Unawareness
- Definition: state of someone being unaware or ignorant about something
- Synonyms: ignorance, innocence, nescience, obliviousness
- Example: She’s afraid of the world as well as the coming unawareness.
3. Understudy
- Definition: a person who learns or experience another’s role so that he/she would be able to perform that task or act at short notice in the main’s absence
- Synonyms: stand-in, substitute, replacement, reserve
- Example: She worked as an understudy to Elaine Page.
4. Undertone
- Definition: a subdued tone of facial color or the sound (or muted)
- Synonyms: tone down, low voice, murmur, mutter
- Example: I pointed out to Sherlock in an undertone.
5. Unfairness
- Definition: state of being unfair or the lack of justice
- Synonyms: discrimination, favoritism, inequality, injustice
- Example: We must all fight against unfairness and cruelty.
6. Unlikelihood
- Definition: the state of not being likely to happen, or not being or less likely to be true
- Synonyms: impossibility, improbability, doubtfulness, inconceivability
- Example: The problem with trading McGrady is the unlikelihood of getting equal value in return.
7. Utilizer
- Definition: someone who puts to good use
- Synonyms: user
- Example: Not all organisms are utilizers of oxygen.
8. Utensil
- Definition: a tool or a container especially ones used for household work
- Synonyms: implement, tool, instrument, device
- Example: She went to buy some kitchen utensils.
9. Update
- Definition: an act of updating something for improvement or someone about important information
- Synonyms: modernize, bring up to date, renovate, refurbish
- Example: I gave him the latest updates about the case.
10. Upgrade
- Definition: an act of upgrading something
- Synonyms: improve, better, make better, ameliorate
- Example: I received a seat upgrade from economy to business on the last flight.
Nouns That Start with U You Often Use
In this segment, we’ll give you a rundown of nouns that begin with the letter U since they play a crucial role in our everyday conversations. As an added bonus we’ve also included some riveting synonyms so you don’t keep repeating the same nouns beginning with U.
1. Unaffordability
- Definition: state of being something unaffordable
- Synonyms: steep, stiff, uneconomic, unreasonable
- Example: The problem of unaffordability is most apparent for the nearly 47 million Americans who lack health insurance.
2. Unconventionality
- Definition: state of being unconventional or unusual
- Synonyms: unusual, negation, violation
- Example: Apple’s very name reflected his unconventionality.
3. Underachievement
- Definition: doing less well than expected or poor, especially in the academics
- Synonyms: disappointment, insolvent, nonperformer
- Example: Underachievement can be viewed as a social product, not just the problem of the child.
4. Underarm
- Definition: a person’s armpit
- Synonyms: armpits
- Example: He shaved his beard and his underarms.
5. Undergrowth
- Definition: a dense growth of shrubs and other plants, particularly under trees near root areas in the woodland
- Synonyms: shrubbery, vegetation, greenery, ground cover
- Example: The body was found hidden in dense undergrowth.
6. Underpayment
- Definition: the act of paying less than the required or deserved amount
- Synonyms: undervalued, poorly paid, badly paid, unremunerated
- Example: The business problems included underpayments to some employees.
7. Understatement
- Definition: the presentation of something as being or referred smaller or less good or important than it actually is
- Synonyms: minimization, trivialization, euphemism
- Example: To say the movie was bad is an understatement.
8. Uneasiness
- Definition: a feeling of anxiety or being in discomfort
- Synonyms: annoyance, awkwardness, constraint, difficulty
- Example: This burden of a history that they cannot claim their own alone generated a feeling of uneasiness and a sense of lowliness.
9. Unicycle
- Definition: a pedal driven vehicle like a bicycle but with one wheel
- Synonyms: cycle, wheel, bike, pedal
- Example: He bought him a unicycle as his birthday gift.
10. Unpleasantness
- Definition: state or of being unpleasant or uneasiness
- Synonyms: trauma, pain, painfulness, agony
- Example: I want to avoid any unpleasantness with the neighbors.
Nouns That Start with U You Sometimes Use
Eradicating nouns from our statements will also eradicate the subject and object, which can be quite perplexing especially when writing since we can’t read the tone and expression of the end-user. So, let’s go through these nouns that start with the letter U.
1. Umber
- Definition: a moderate to dark yellowish brown
- Synonyms: brownish, orpiment, chocolate
- Example: Her skin was a shade or two darker than Nella’s chestnut complexion, falling somewhere between hickory and umber.
2. Udometer
- Definition: gauge consisting of an instrument to measure the quantity of precipitation
- Synonyms: pluviometer, rain gauge
- Example: We installed twelve udometers throughout the city.
3. Unconsciousness
- Definition: state of being unconscious or unawareness
- Synonyms: insensibility, senselessness, stupefaction, oblivion
- Example: He had lapsed into unconsciousness.
4. Ultraist
- Definition: a holder of extreme opinions
- Synonyms: extremist, radical, revolutionist
- Example: Hot heads and ultraists often have a propensity to think narrowly because they are unable to accommodate conflicting views.
5. Umbra
- Definition: shadow or darkness
- Synonyms: outline, shape, profile
- Example: An impenetrable umbra seemed to fill every inch of the museum.
6. Undersoil
- Definition: the layer of soil between the topsoil and bedrock
- Synonyms: subsoil
- Example: I just wish they’d put in undersoil heating when the ground was built.
7. Unacceptability
- Definition: state or condition of something being unacceptable
- Synonyms: objectionableness, undesirability
- Example: He felt that his jest was unacceptable and had not come off.
8. Unanimity
- Definition: agreement by all the involved parties or people or members
- Synonyms: agreement, accord, harmony, concord
- Example: These discussions have led to remarkable unanimity.
9. Unbalance
- Definition: a lack of symmetry or balance or stability in something
- Synonyms: unstable, rocky, wobbly, wobbling
- Example: An unbalance in one sector can affect the whole.
10. Uncircumcision
- Definition: state of gentiles being uncircumcised
- Synonyms: aardvark, hooded warrior, uncut, foreskin
- Example: Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
Nouns That Start with U You Occasionally Use
A good vocabulary not only signals a good mind but also helps you understand the concerns and demands of your clients and customers. For that reason, it’s crucial to have a basic understanding of these occasionally used nouns with letter U.
1. Urn
- Definition: a large, cylinder-shaped metal container with a lid, used for holding a large amount of a drink such as tea or coffee and keeping it hot
- Synonyms: teapot
- Example: I just bought a brand-new urn.
2. Underbrush
- Definition: several shrubs and small trees transforming the undergrowth into a forest
- Synonyms: shrubbery, vegetation, greenery, ground cover
- Example: The hunters broke through the underbrush.
3. Underground
- Definition: a group or movement secretly organized in order to protest or work against an existing regime
- Synonyms: resistance, opposition, partisans
- Example: In Britain and the USA in the 1970s, the underground was a powerful subversive force.
4. Underling
- Definition: a person lower in position or rank
- Synonyms: subordinate, inferior, deputy, junior
- Example: He’s an underling of the gang leader.
5. Ultracentrifuge
- Definition: a high-speed centrifuge able to separate out colloidal and other small particles and used especially in determining the sizes of such particles or the molecular weights of large molecules
- Synonyms: extractor, separator, centrifuge
- Example: Each sample is run through an ultracentrifuge and then tested for viral RNA using a PCR test.
6. Undoing
- Definition: someone’s ruin or downfall or defeat
- Synonyms: downfall, defeat, conquest, vanquishing
- Example: This hard attitude may have led to his undoing.
7. Unemployment
- Definition: the state of being unemployed or out of the job
- Synonyms: redundancy, dismissal, discharge, joblessness
- Example: Unemployment can cause feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
8. Unification
- Definition: the process of being united or combined or made into a whole
- Synonyms: union, merger, fusion, federation
- Example: With unification, East Germany was subsumed by capitalist West Germany.
9. Unpredictability
- Definition: not being able to predict or a constant state of changeability
- Synonyms: whimsicality, arbitrariness, volatility, flightiness
- Example: The unpredictability of life is built into his structure as an essential part of it.
10. Unrealism
- Definition: state of lack of realization
- Synonyms: impractical, illogical, irrational, impossible
- Example: A more eloquent statement of unrealism would be hard to devise.
Nouns That Start with U You Seldom Use
Expert writers can utilize both common and complex words with equal precision so if you are aiming for the top, it’s essential to learn these uncommon noun words that start with U. Most useful words are those which you can recall and utilize instinctively so make sure you practice these noun words starting with U continuously.
1. Unambiguity
- Definition: state of lack of ambiguity
- Synonyms: unequivocalness
- Example: Their actions showed complete unambiguity.
2. Unrestraint
- Definition: freedom from or lack of restraint
- Synonyms: abandon, ease, unconstraint
- Example: Her unrestraint at the dinner table and wine cellar resulted in her well-remembered obesity.
3. Understructure
- Definition: an underlying structure or supporting structure for the main building
- Synonyms: footing, base, substructure, understructure
- Example: The understructure was a complete disaster, pilings were loose, joints and beams were rotting.
4. Underworld
- Definition: the world of criminals or of organized crime in secret from public discretion
- Synonyms: criminal world, world of crime, organized crime
- Example: She was a shady figure in the Dublin underworld.
5. Underpinning
- Definition: a solid foundation piled down or laid below ground level to support or strengthen the superstructure of the building
- Synonyms: post, pillar, column, piling
- Example: They undertook the project to provide a solid underpinning for housing.
6. Upshot
- Definition: the conclusion of a discussion, action, or series of events
- Synonyms: result, outcome, effect
- Example: The upshot of the discussions is that there will be no layoffs.
7. Universality
- Definition: the state of being shared or accepted by all the people in the world or the targeted group
- Synonyms: acceptance, acclaim, demand, fame
- Example: The beauty of Newton’s method is its universality.
8. Uptown
- Definition: the uptown area of a city or a town
- Synonyms: area, uptown area
- Example: All of them watched as the dogs ran onto the train tracks that divided the ghetto from the uptown.
9. Uranium
- Definition: a chemical element with the atomic number of 92 and is used as a fuel in the radioactive or nuclear plants
- Synonyms: uraninite, yellow cake, coffinite
- Example: Uranium is soluble in seawater.
10. Urea
- Definition: a nitrogen-containing chemical compound or substance normally cleared or filtered out of the blood by the kidney into the urine
- Synonyms: (none)
- Example: Urea naturally breaks down into ammonia in the water.
Positive Nouns That Start with U
As we move forward in life, the challenges, and the circumstances we face also become more difficult. That’s why it’s important to have a positive attitude during tough times and one way to accomplish this is by utilizing positive nouns that start with U in our routine.
1. Urethane
- Definition: a synthetic crystalline chemical compound used as a component in pesticides and fungicides, and anesthetic production
- Synonyms: polyurethane, elastomer, thermoset, thermoplastic
- Example: Lightweight, flexible and resilient urethane offers greater impact, corrosion and abrasion resistance than metal.
2. Uberty
- Definition: fertile growth or fruitfulness of a harvested crop or someone
- Synonyms: abundance, fruitfulness, fecundity, pregnancy
- Example: But it does not contribute to the uberty of reasoning, which far more calls for solicitous care.
3. Utopia
- Definition: an imaginary or fantasized place or state of things where everything is perfect
- Synonyms: ideal place, paradise, heaven, heaven on earth
- Example: His Utopia is not a chimerical commonwealth but a practical improvement on what already exists.
4. Ultimate
- Definition: the best achievable or imaginable of its kind
- Synonyms: best, ideal, greatest, supreme
- Example: This furniture is the ultimate in decorative luxury.
5. Ultimation
- Definition: the state of being ultimate
- Synonyms: final, ultimatum
- Example: Italy, as elsewhere, realism is the ultimation of romanticism.
6. Uttermost
- Definition: the greatest or most extreme point or extent of something
- Synonyms: greatest, maximum, greatest possible, highest
- Example: We will defend ourselves to the uttermost.
7. Universal
- Definition: something having universal effect or application or state of omnipresence
- Synonyms: general, ubiquitous, comprehensive, common
- Example: If we move from universals to concepts in general, we can see how category theory could be useful even in cognitive science.
8. Up
- Definition: a period of good fortune or positive mood in life
- Synonyms: up, uphill, good fortune
- Example: Life is full of ups and downs but he always focuses on the ups.
9. Upswing
- Definition: an increase in strength or quantity or the benefits
- Synonyms: growth, rise, enlargement, expansion
- Example: His efforts brought an upswing in the company’s economy.
10. Uplift
- Definition: something that makes a person feel more cheerful, positive, or gives them an optimistic approach
- Synonyms: boost, raise, buoy up, encouragement
- Example: His encouragement gave me a hot sense of uplift.
Nouns That Start with U to Describe a Person
We often find ourselves in a bind when asked about describing ourselves or others, but rest assured since in this section we’ll look at nouns that start with U to describe a person. So, let’s read on to learn some new and exciting U nouns.
1. Utmost
- Definition: the greatest or most extreme extent or amount
- Synonyms: greatest, maximum, best, uttermost
- Example: He always gives his utmost to whatever he does.
2. Underwriter
- Definition: a person or company that underwrites an insurance risk
- Synonyms: insurance agent, insurance broker, backer
- Example: He is an underwriter associated with a huge law firm.
3. Unique
- Definition: a unique person or thing
- Synonyms: (none)
- Example: Some of Lamb’s writings were so memorably beautiful as to be uniques in their class.
4. Up-and-comer
- Definition: someone who shows promise in a particular field and appears likely to be successful
- Synonyms: doer, player, generator, man of influence
- Example: Selena Gomez, as her television series proves, is a talented up-and-comer.
5. Upholder
- Definition: a person or organization that upholds a law, a principle, or a decision that has been made
- Synonyms: defender, supporter
- Example: She joined the police force and became an upholder of law and order.
6. Umpire
- Definition: (in some sports) an official who watches a game or match closely to enforce the rules and arbitrate on matters arising from the play
- Synonyms: referee, linesman judge, line judge
- Example: He was the umpire in the finals of the National League.
7. Usher
- Definition: a person whose job is to show people to their seats, especially in a cinema or theatre
- Synonyms: attendant, escort, guide
- Example: He has worked as an usher in Aircraft Theatre.
8. Undergraduate
- Definition: a university student who is studying to achieve his/her first degree
- Synonyms: first-year student, undergraduate
- Example: He is an Oxford undergraduate.
9. Upperclassman
- Definition: a senior in class or grade at an educational institute
- Synonyms: senior, undergrad, sophomore
- Example: He is my upperclassman.
10. Unicorn
- Definition: a magical or imaginary creature
- Synonyms: pegasus
- Example: In the desert, the mages discover an entire herd of baby unicorns.
Nouns That Start with U – Full List (148 Words)
This is as far as this list can take you. Now it’s your turn to take a leap of faith and utilize these nouns and exercise them in casual conversation till you develop a knack for them. Here is a list of nouns that start with U we’ve learned above and more to learn by yourself.
- Upbeat
- Unpredictability
- Uncertainty
- Utopianism
- Urea
- Upholstery
- Underachievement
- Utilizer
- Understatement
- Ukulele
- Uninitiate
- Use
- Uniqueness
- Uplift
- Unpleasantness
- Urethane
- Utterance
- Upswing
- Undertaker
- Universal
- Understudy
- Utopia
- Upturn
- Unambiguity
- Universe
- Unhappiness
- Undoing
- Upgrade
- Uranium
- Underground
- Undergrowth
- Underworld
- Undergraduate
- Utmost
- Upset
- Urge
- Underling
- Usher
- Udometer
- Unaffordability
- Unfortunate
- Unlikelihood
- Upsurge
- Ultrasound
- Uganda
- Understructure
- Ultimatum
- Urbanization
- Uptake
- Unawareness
- Uppercut
- Unreality
- Upperclassmen
- Ultraist
- Ultimation
- Unit
- Undercurrent
- Unification
- Uptown
- Union
- Umbra
- Unity
- Unchastity
- Unanimity
- Uremia
- Umbrella
- Update
- Underarm
- Unicycle
- Uranyl
- Unemployment
- Untruth
- Ubiquitary
- Underdog
- Utilization
- Urgency
- Umpire
- Upside
- Uncle
- Unconsciousness
- Unfoldment
- Underbelly
- Uniformity
- Uttermost
- Utensil
- Urn
- Undershirt
- Underwriter
- Unicorn
- Uniform
- Unconcern
- Unrestraint
- Umber
- Urbanism
- Underside
- University
- Ulcer
- Uberty
- Unacceptability
- Unease
- Unrealism
- Unbalance
- Usefulness
- Unison
- Unevenness
- Underpinning
- Upshot
- Unknown
- Uneasiness
- User
- Unavailability
- Underpayment
- Unconventionality
- Unrest
- Uptrend
- Universality
- Urethra
- Underclassman
- Upheaval
- Umbrage
- Utopian
- Undersoil
- Upholder
- Unction
- Unreliability
- Ultracentrifugation
- Udder
- Undertow
- Ultimate
- Upright
- Utility
- Usage
- Uncircumcision
- Unreason
- Unique
- Urine
- Up
- Underbrush
- Underwear
- Undercut
- Unimportance
- Undertone
- Upkeep
- Uproar
- Ultracentrifuge
- Up-and-comer
- Ugliness
- Unfairness
Final Thoughts on Nouns That Start with U
While nouns that start with U are vastly used as a subject, we can also manipulate them as a direct or indirect object of a verb, an object of a preposition or compliment, and much more. But we are leaving it up to you to figure it out.
There are countless means to do this yet the most effective approach is to develop a reading habit about the topics that intrigue you. This way you’ll be motivated to read and it will also give you the exposure to confidently use these nouns starting with U.
So, it’s a win-win-win situation. The third win is for us since we were able to assist you in learning some new and valuable nouns beginning with U. Let us know about any other nouns that start with U which are a part of your daily conversations.
