In this article we are going to talk about verbs that start with O. But before we go into the details of verbs that start with O, let us talk about the letter O itself.
O, or o, is the fifteenth letter in the ISO basic Latin alphabet and the fourth vowel letter in the modern English alphabet. The name of the Phoenician letter was “eyn”, meaning “eye”, and indeed its shape originates simply as a drawing of a human eye. Letter O is the fourth most common letter in the English alphabet.
Let us now share with you an amazing trait of verbs that begin with O. Adding affixes to existing words (the base or root) to form new words is common in academic English. Prefixes are added to the front of the base, whereas suffixes are added to the end of the base. The most common prefixes used to form new verbs in academic English are: re-, dis-, over-, un-, mis-, out-.
Most of the action words starting with O included in this article contain the prefix over-. When you add over- at the beginning of a verb, it means too much or more than enough. Some of the verbs that start with O that contain the prefix over- are overestimate, overhaul, override, overachieve, overkill, overrule, and more.
You Might Also Like:
Verbs That Start with O You Always Use
There is a variety of verbs that you use in your day-to-day life, whether it is in writing or speaking. These are some of the verbs that start with O that you use regularly.
1. Obtain
- Definition: get, acquire, or secure something
- Synonyms: get, acquire
- Example: I haven’t been able to obtain that book.
2. Occur
- Definition: happen; take place
- Synonyms: happen, take place, come about
- Example: The accident occurred at about 3.30 p.m.
3. Occupy
- Definition: reside or have one’s place of business in a building
- Synonyms: settle, tenant
- Example: The rented flat occupies in Hampstead.
4. Omit
- Definition: leave out or exclude someone or something, either intentionally or forgetfully
- Synonyms: leave out, exclude
- Example: He was omitted from the second Test.
5. Open
- Definition: move a door or window so as to leave a space allowing access and vision
- Synonyms: unfasten, unlatch, unlock
- Example: She opened the door and went in.
6. Oppose
- Definition: to disagree with something or someone, often by speaking or fighting against it, him, or her
- Synonyms: defy, repel
- Example: I would certainly oppose changing the system.
7. Overdo
- Definition: do, use, or carry to excess
- Synonyms: exaggerate, overstate
- Example: She rather overdoes the early cockney scenes.
8. Overfeed
- Definition: give too much food to
- Synonyms: overdose
- Example: The general view is that you cannot overfeed a baby.
9. Overlap
- Definition: extend over so as to cover partly
- Synonyms: overlie, overspread
- Example: The canopy overlaps the house roof at one end.
10. Overheat
- Definition: make or become too hot
- Synonyms: burn, heat up
- Example: Her car started to overheat.
Verbs That Start with O You Usually Use
Despite the fact that there are multiple verbs starting with O, there are some that we use more often compared to others. These are some of those verbs that we usually make use of.
1. Object
- Definition: say something to express one’s opposition to or disagreement with something
- Synonyms: oppose, mind
- Example: Residents object to the volume of traffic.
2. Oil
- Definition: lubricate, coat, or impregnate with oil
- Synonyms: lubricate, grease, lube
- Example: I’ll oil that gate for you tomorrow.
3. Operate
- Definition: (of a person) control the functioning of a machine, process, or system
- Synonyms: work, run
- Example: The Prime Minister operates a system of divide and rule.
4. Originate
- Definition: have a specified beginning
- Synonyms: derive, begin, start
- Example: This word originated as a marketing term.
5. Overcome
- Definition: succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty
- Synonyms: conquer, defeat, overpower
- Example: Patience, time, and money overcome everything.
6. Overcook
- Definition: cook too much or for too long
- Synonyms: ruin, spoil
- Example: Don’t overcook the vegetables.
7. Overflow
- Definition: (especially of a liquid) flow over the brim of a receptacle
- Synonyms: teem, abound
- Example: Chemicals overflowed from a storage tank.
8. Overthrow
- Definition: remove forcibly from power
- Synonyms: topple, bring down
- Example: Military coups had attempted to overthrow the King.
9. Overtake
- Definition: catch up with and pass while travelling in the same direction
- Synonyms: go by, overhaul
- Example: Her car overtook a line of vehicles.
10. Overrun
- Definition: spread over or occupy a place in large numbers
- Synonyms: invade, storm
- Example: The Mediterranean has been overrun by tourists.
Verbs That Start with O You Often Use
Let’s move on to our next list of verbs beginning with O that we often use in our everyday talks and writings. How many of these verbs do you often make use of?
1. Objectify
- Definition: degrade to the status of a mere object
- Synonyms: depersonalize, dehumanize
- Example: She denied that the magazine objectified women.
2. Overcloud
- Definition: make dark, gloomy, or obscure
- Synonyms: bedim, darken
- Example: Absence of lights has overclouded the set.
3. Overburden
- Definition: to make someone or something work too hard or carry, contain, or deal with too much
- Synonyms: misuse, overburden
- Example: Insurance companies are already overburdened with similar claims.
4. Opt
- Definition: make a choice from a range of possibilities
- Synonyms: choose, select, pick
- Example: Consumers will opt for low-priced goods.
5. Orbit
- Definition: (of a celestial object or spacecraft) move in orbit round a star or planet
- Synonyms: revolve, turn
- Example: Mercury orbits the Sun.
6. Orient
- Definition: tailor or adapt something to specified circumstances
- Synonyms: aim, direct
- Example: We must orient our work to the needs of the markets.
7. Overestimate
- Definition: form too high estimate of
- Synonym: escalate, exaggerate, magnify
- Example: His influence cannot be overestimated.
8. Overload
- Definition: load with too great a burden or cargo
- Synonyms: overcharge, encumber, burden
- Example: Both boats were overloaded.
9. Overrate
- Definition: have a higher opinion of someone or something than is deserved
- Synonyms: overestimate, overvalue
- Example: His father greatly overrated his abilities.
10. Oscillate
- Definition: move or swing back and forth in a regular rhythm
- Synonyms: swing, sway
- Example: My emotions oscillate between desperation and hope.
Verbs That Start with O You Sometimes Use
Following are some of the verbs starting with letter O that we only use sometimes. Try and get hold of as many of these verbs as possible.
1. Obstruct
- Definition: block an opening, path, road, etc.; get in the way of
- Synonyms: block, clog
- Example: She was obstructing the entrance.
2. Ooze
- Definition: (of a fluid) slowly trickle or seep out of something
- Synonyms: seep, discharge, flow
- Example: Blood was oozing from a wound in his scalp.
3. Oppress
- Definition: to govern people in an unfair and cruel way and prevent them from having opportunities and freedom
- Synonyms: persecute, abuse, maltreat
- Example: The people have been oppressed by a ruthless dictator.
4. Ordain
- Definition: make someone a priest or minister; confer holy orders on
- Synonyms: appoint, induct, install, invest
- Example: He was ordained a minister before entering Parliament.
5. Outgrow
- Definition: to grow bigger than something
- Synonyms: grow, develop
- Example: The Company outgrew its office space.
6. Outsource
- Definition: to get work done by making a contract with another company to do it
- Synonyms: deploy, expand
- Example: Some companies outsource to cheaper locations to cut costs.
7. Overbid
- Definition: to offer more money than someone in an attempt to buy something
- Synonyms: bid, outbid
- Example: They were overbid by a Japanese firm.
8. Overshadow
- Definition: tower above and cast a shadow over
- Synonyms: shade, darken, conceal
- Example: An enormous oak tree stood is overshadowing the cottage.
9. Overhang
- Definition: hang or extend outwards over
- Synonyms: extend, impend, jut
- Example: Several large trees overhang the path.
10. Oxidize
- Definition: combine chemically with oxygen
- Synonyms: mix, amalgamate
- Example: Iron oxidizes to form rust.
Verbs That Start with O You Occasionally Use
Let us now dive into the list of verb words that start with O that we only occasionally use. Try and memorize as many of these verbs as possible.
1. Obligate
- Definition: to make someone feel morally or legally forced to do something
- Synonyms: compel, force
- Example: I’m in favor of obligating welfare recipients to do more.
2. Obscure
- Definition: to prevent something from being seen or heard
- Synonyms: hide, conceal
- Example: The sun was obscured by clouds.
3. Orchestrate
- Definition: arrange or score music for orchestral performance
- Synonyms: arrange, adapt
- Example: The song cycle was stunningly arranged and orchestrated.
4. Oust
- Definition: to force someone to leave a position of power, job, place, or competition
- Synonyms: expel, remove
- Example: Police are trying to oust drug dealers from the city.
5. Outbid
- Definition: to offer to pay a higher price for something than someone else, especially at an auction
- Synonyms: bid higher, bid more
- Example: The retail group outbid all three competitors for space in the shopping center.
6. Overwhelm
- Definition: bury or drown beneath a huge mass of something, especially water
- Synonyms: swamp, submerge, engulf
- Example: Floodwaters overwhelmed hundreds of houses.
7. Overwork
- Definition: supply, treat, charge, or enrich with oxygen
- Synonyms: exploit, sweat
- Example: Employers should be aware that overworking their employees comes at a cost.
8. Overvalue
- Definition: overestimate the importance of
- Synonyms: overrate, underestimate, undervalue
- Example: Intelligence can be overvalued.
9. Overcast
- Definition: (of clouds) to cover the sky so it is not bright and sunny
- Synonyms: becloud, darken
- Example: Thick clouds overcast the sky.
10. Oxygenate
- Definition: supply, treat, charge, or enrich with oxygen
- Synonyms: oxidize
- Example: The lungs oxygenate the blood before it returns to the heart.
Verbs That Start with O You Seldom Use
Following are some of the action verbs starting with O that are seldom used by us. Learning and then using these verbs properly will help you in both written and oral communications.
1. Obfuscate
- Definition: make obscure, unclear, or unintelligible
- Synonyms: obscure, confuse
- Example: The spelling changes will deform some familiar words and obfuscate their etymological origins.
2. Occlude
- Definition: stop, close up, or obstruct an opening, orifice, or passage
- Synonyms: block, stop
- Example: Thick make-up can occlude the pores.
3. Ossify
- Definition: become rigid or fixed in attitude or position; cease developing
- Synonyms: harden, rigidify
- Example: Our political system has ossified.
4. Overdraw
- Definition: exaggerate in describing or depicting (someone or something)
- Synonyms: exaggerate, overstate
- Example: Some of the characters were overdrawn.
5. Oversee
- Definition: supervise (a person or their work), especially in an official capacity
- Synonyms: supervise, superintend
- Example: The Home Secretary oversees the police service.
6. Opine
- Definition: hold and state as one’s opinion
- Synonyms: suggest, submit, advance
- Example: ‘The man is a genius,’ he opined.
7. Oversaturate
- Definition: to saturate to an excessive degree
- Synonyms: steep, saturate
- Example: Since the company went public, it’s been opening so many stores that it’s at risk of oversaturating its own market.
8. Obliterate
- Definition: to remove all signs of something, either by destroying it or by covering it so that it cannot be seen
- Synonyms: destroy, annihilate
- Example: Their warheads are enough to obliterate the world several times over.
9. Oink
- Definition: to make the noise that a pig makes
- Synonyms: bark, bawl
- Example: He came up to the fence and oinked a little bit.
10. Orientate
- Definition: to aim something at someone or something, or make something suitable for a particular group of people
- Synonyms: accustom, acquaint
- Example: It is essential that the public sector orientates itself more towards the consumer.
Positive Verbs That Start with O
There are a lot of positive verbs that start with O, just like any other letter. Investigate these verbs to see for yourself how much positivity they bring to your life.
1. Outlast
- Definition: live or last longer than
- Synonyms: outlive, survive
- Example: Beauty can outlast youth.
2. Outshine
- Definition: to be much more skillful and successful than someone
- Synonyms: eclipse, outclass, dwarf
- Example: Ben Palmer easily outshone his rivals in the 200 meter freestyle.
3. Overexcite
- Definition: excite excessively
- Synonyms: flip out, freak
- Example: Playing an active game can overexcite children.
4. Own
- Definition: have something as one’s own
- Synonyms: have, keep, retain
- Example: His father owns a restaurant.
5. Offer
- Definition: to ask someone if they would like to have something or if they would like you to do something
- Synonyms: provide, supply
- Example: She was offered a job in Paris.
6. Organize
- Definition: arrange systematically
- Synonyms: order, arrange, sort
- Example: I organized lessons in a planned way.
7. Oblige
- Definition: make someone legally or morally bound to do something
- Synonyms: require, compel, bind
- Example: Doctors are obliged by law to keep patients alive while there is a chance of recovery.
8. Outline
- Definition: draw, trace, or define the outer edge or shape of
- Synonyms: define, demarcate
- Example: Her eyes were darkly outlined with kohl.
9. Optimize
- Definition: make the best or most effective use of a situation or resource
- Synonyms: develop, reform
- Example: They need to optimize the use of available resources.
10. Officiate
- Definition: act as an official in charge of something, especially a sporting event
- Synonyms: take charge, direct
- Example: Three judges will officiate at the two Grands Prix.
Verbs That Start with O to Describe a Person
Following are some of the verbs that start with O to describe a person. Go through these O verbs and find out what they tell us about other people and their state of being.
1. Observe
- Definition: notice or perceive something
- Synonyms: note, perceive, discern
- Example: I want you to observe all the details.
2. Obey
- Definition: submit to the authority of someone or comply with a law
- Synonyms: bow to, heed
- Example: I always obey my father.
3. Offend
- Definition: cause to feel upset, annoyed, or resentful
- Synonyms: affront, upset, displease
- Example: 17 per cent of viewers said they had been offended by bad language.
4. Outsmart
- Definition: defeat or get the better of someone by being clever or cunning
- Synonyms: outwit, out-think, outmaneuver
- Example: The hero is invariably outsmarted by the heroine.
5. Overpower
- Definition: defeat or overcome with superior strength
- Synonyms: master, control, overthrow
- Example: He overpowered the two men and frog marched them to the police station.
6. Obsess
- Definition: preoccupy or fill the mind of someone continually and to a troubling extent
- Synonyms: possess, consume, plague
- Example: He was obsessed with the idea of revenge.
7. Overreact
- Definition: respond more emotionally or forcibly than is justified
- Synonyms: exaggerate, overstress
- Example: The Authority are urging people not to overreact to the problem.
8. Ogle
- Definition: stare at in a lecherous manner
- Synonyms: leer at, stare at, gaze at
- Example: He was ogling her face.
9. Overawe
- Definition: impress someone so much that they are silent or inhibited
- Synonyms: daunt, cow
- Example: The eleven-year-old was overawed by the atmosphere.
10. Overact
- Definition: (of an actor or actress) act a role in an exaggerated manner
- Synonyms: exaggerate, overstate
- Example: She is a weepy actress with a strong tendency to overact.
Verbs That Start with O – Full List (226 Words)
Now that you’ve mastered the skill of incorporating all of the verbs from the list of verbs that start with O into sentences, we’ll list them all here with some more recommended for you.
- Ordinate
- Overvalue
- Overtax
- Outclass
- Overclothe
- Offend
- Overemphasize
- Outpace
- Overpower
- Overtrump
- Overstretch
- Outstrip
- Oppose
- Outguess
- Overrun
- Outlaw
- Overreach
- Obtund
- Object
- Overfatigue
- Open
- Outgo
- Occidentalize
- Optimize
- Overbear
- Outstare
- Outrange
- Overcompensate
- Overbalance
- Overspend
- Outmarch
- Overshadow
- Overestimate
- Opine
- Order
- Overgeneralize
- Outsell
- Override
- Opalize
- Outdistance
- Overjoy
- Outmanoeuvre
- Overlook
- Outcry
- Overrate
- Omit
- Outweigh
- Ogle
- Obviate
- Overspread
- Oil
- Overproduce
- Ornament
- Objectify
- Outsource
- Ok
- Overact
- Overdraw
- Overfeed
- Officiate
- Ostracize
- Organize
- Overspecialize
- Outrank
- Overtake
- Osculate
- Overlap
- Operate
- Overstrain
- Orphan
- Outbrave
- Outflank
- Optate
- Obstipate
- Overeat
- Offset
- Outplay
- Outshout
- Overdose
- Obnubilate
- Overcloud
- Overcapitalize
- Overachieve
- Outrival
- Overhaul
- Offsaddle
- Overstay
- Obligate
- Opt
- Opalesce
- Outsmart
- Occlude
- Overhang
- Overreact
- Officialize
- Ovenbake
- Ooze
- Obey
- Offload
- Oversee
- Outperform
- Outfox
- Obstinate
- Orient
- Ovulate
- Overrule
- Overdo
- Overcome
- Overtire
- Overwork
- Ordain
- Overpay
- Outline
- Overlay
- Overplay
- Overcook
- Overlie
- Outnumber
- Oppugn
- Overindulge
- Overburden
- Oxidate
- Overdrive
- Obstruct
- Orientalize
- Oxidize
- Overuse
- Oblige
- Overmaster
- Overcultivate
- Overcrop
- Oppress
- Outface
- Outcrop
- Overtop
- Oversleep
- Overload
- Overdramatize
- Oscillate
- Orate
- Outgeneral
- Outroar
- Outgrow
- Outbalance
- Overexcite
- Outpoint
- Outmode
- Outdraw
- Occasion
- Overfly
- Outshine
- Outwit
- Overbid
- Obsess
- Objurgate
- Overcast
- Overflow
- Opacify
- Overprotect
- Oversupply
- Ossify
- Overboil
- Oversew
- Oust
- Opsonize
- Outfight
- Oxygenate
- Oversaturate
- Outmatch
- Overthrow
- Overleap
- Outscore
- Omen
- Overextend
- Overturn
- Obfuscate
- Overstuff
- Oxygenize
- Overwrite
- Occupy
- Overdress
- Overarch
- Oink
- Obturate
- Overawe
- Orientate
- Oversimplify
- Overprint
- Overstock
- Occult
- Outride
- Overexert
- Overcharge
- Overhear
- Obscure
- Overweary
- Overrefine
- Overgorge
- Outrun
- Orchestrate
- Overwhelm
- Overstress
- Outlive
- Observe
- Outlast
- Overheat
- Overgrow
- Outbid
- Overprice
- Owe
- Obtain
- Occur
- Orbit
- Offer
- Own
- Odorize
- Originate
- Ostentate
- Obtrude
- Outmaneuver
- Overstep
- Overfill
- Output
- Overstate
- Overshoot
- Obliterate
Final Thoughts on Verbs That Start with O
Thank you for going through this article on verbs that start with O. You must have recognized by now that we could not have thrived in our lives if we didn’t have a list of verbs at our disposal, especially verbs starting with O.
Hopefully, this article on verbs that start with O was useful to you. If you go through this article several times, you will undoubtedly be able to enhance your vocabulary which will result in you sounding cool and knowledgeable in company of your friends.
Also try and incorporate these verbs that begin with O into your daily life conversations and writings as much as possible. This will surely assist you in learning them better.
