136 Nouns That Start with U [with Definitions and Examples]

For exploring the unlimited spheres of universe amidst its unbelievable beauty, the nouns that start with U can whisk us away to magical lands filled with endless wonder. We use the nouns starting with U all day, every day as a way to dissect nouns with our children or students, or a new way to add to our vocabulary.

The letter U stands tall somewhere in the last of the alphabets. Nothing beats a robust vocabulary and, with some nouns beginning with U in your back pocket, you’ll be well positioned to brighten up your next piece of writing or speech. The nouns that start with U are a great addition to an already-robust vocabulary which can help you improve your English skills.

You can build a nice vocabulary for describing people and their personalities through the nouns that start with U to describe a person and can add a spice to your next tale or speech. Let’s dial back to a list of nouns that start with U.

Table of Contents

Nouns That Start with U You Always Use

The nouns that start with U you always use are main building blocks for everyday conversation of English language. Below, you’ll enjoy the most common nouns that start with U, with their definitions, a number of synonyms and examples.

1. Uncle

Definition: the brother of one’s father or mother or the husband of one’s aunt
Synonyms: elder, kinsman, gentleman

Example: Tom is living with his uncle now.

2. Underwear

Definition: clothing worn under other clothes, typically next to the skin
Synonyms: undergarment, underpants, panties

Example: She packed a fresh set of underwear and her toothbrush.

3. Uniform

Definition: the distinctive clothing worn by members of the same organization or body or by children attending certain schools
Synonyms: suit, dress, costume

Example: The hat is part of the school uniform.

4. Urine

Definition: a watery, typically yellowish fluid stored in the bladder and discharged through the urethra
Synonyms: secretion, stool, sweat
Example: All the athletes had to provide a urine sample.

5. Use

Definition: the action of using something or the state of being used for a purpose
Synonyms: utilization, application, operation
Example: Modern trains are now in use.

6. University

Definition: a high-level educational institution in which students study for degrees and academic research is done
Synonyms: college, academy, institute
Example: The university graduated 500 students last year.

7. Unemployment

Definition: the number of people who do not have a job that provides money

Synonyms: idleness, inactivity, layoff
Example: Unemployment is likely to go on rising this year.

8. Untruth

Definition: a lie or false statement (often used euphemistically)
Synonyms: lie, falsehood, fabrication
Example: The untruth of this statement was immediately clear to me.

9. Understanding

Definition: the ability to understand something; comprehension
Synonyms: comprehension, perception, conception
Example: Our understanding of cancer remains imperfect.

10. Unavailability

Definition: the state of being unable to be used or obtained
Synonyms: bareness, emptiness, defeciency
Example: Many of the problems were caused by the unavailability of suitable equipment.

Nouns That Start with U You Usually Use

Due to intensive usage in daily conversation, it’s nice to get acquainted with the nouns starting with U, letter by letter. Let’s take a close look and pluck few of them below:

1. User

Definition: a person who uses or operates something
Synonyms: customer, operator, buyer
Example: All this information can be confusing to the user.

2. Umbrella

Definition:a device consisting of a circular canopy of cloth on a folding metal frame supported by a central rod, used as protection against rain
Synonyms: parasol, sunshade, brolly
Example: She held an umbrella and was dressed in a grey suit.

3. 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, line judge, arbitrator
Example: An umpire stands behind the catcher in baseball.

4. Undergrowth

Definition: a dense growth of shrubs and other plants, especially under trees in woodland
Synonyms: shrubbery, vegetation, greenery

Example: There was a sudden movement in the undergrowth.

5. Undergraduate

Definition:a university student who has not yet taken a first degree
Synonyms: student, junior, scholar
Example: While still an undergraduate, his first slim volume ‘Fighting Terms’ enjoyed a considerable success.

6. Unity

Definition: the state of being united or joined as a whole
Synonyms: union, unification, coalition
Example: The dispute has destroyed unity among the workers.

7. Unknown

Definition: an unknown person or thing
Synonyms: unfamiliar, unidentified
Example: Racism is in some ways just a fear of the unknown.

8. Usage

Definition: the action of using something or the fact of being used
Synonyms: utilization, consumption, use
Example: The tractor had been damaged by rough usage.

9. Unit

Definition: an individual thing or person regarded as single and complete but which can also form an individual component of a larger or more complex whole
Synonyms: component, part, section

Example: The family is the basic unit of society.

10. Utility

Definition: the state of being useful, profitable, or beneficial
Synonyms: usefulness, benefit, advantage
Example: This information is of the highest utility to a historian.

Nouns That Start with U You Often Use

Learning the nouns that start with U you often use in your daily life is of utmost importance to learn English language. Let’s take a closer look and see how many nouns that start with U you can add to your everyday conversation.

1. Uplift

Definition: an instance of being raised or increased
Synonyms: improve, boost, bring up
Example: This victory was a massive uplift for us.

2. Unfortunate

Definition: a person who suffers bad fortune
Synonyms: unlucky
Example: She was always good with the unfortunate.

3. Universe

Definition: everything that exists, especially all physical matter, including all the stars, planets, galaxies, etc. in space
Synonyms: cosmos, creation, macrocosm
Example: Do you believe God created the universe?

4. U-turn

Definition: a change of plan, especially a reversal of political policy

Synonyms: reversal, shift, retraction
Example: The government has made a spectacular U-turn on taxes.

5. Umber

Definition: a brownish moth with colouring that resembles tree bark
Synonyms: nut brown, cocoa, chestnut
Example: Its color was metallic gold sunward and burnt umber on the shielded side.

6. Ugliness

Definition: the quality of being unpleasant or repulsive in appearance
Synonyms: foulness, monstrousness, dreadfulness
Example: He was depressed by the extreme ugliness of the city.

7. Ultrasound

Definition: special sound waves used in such processes as examining organs inside the body and directing the route of submarines
Synonyms: sonography, echography, x-ray
Example: Long before the ultrasound, she was certain that her problem was pregnancy.

8. Unaffordability

Definition: the state or condition of being unaffordable
Synonyms: unattainability, inaccessibility, confidentiality
Example: The problem of unaffordability is most apparent for the nearly 47 million Americans who lack health insurance.

9. Unawareness

Definition: the fact of not knowing, understanding, or realizing something

Synonyms: ignorance, obliviousness, unfamiliarity
Example: Of course employers can claim unawareness of obscure medical journals.

10. Unconsciousness

Definition: the state of being unconscious
Synonyms: insensibility, coma, collapse
Example: She slid into unconsciousness after a few minutes, and her body went limp.

Nouns That Start with U You Sometimes Use

Enjoy below the list of nouns beginning with U you sometimes use for English stemming in your daily conversation. Perhaps one or two of them will spice up your next writing piece or speech.

1. Upset

Definition: the state of being unhappy, disappointed, or worried
Synonyms: distress, trouble, irritation

Example: It would be quite an upset if the favorite didn’t win.

2. Urgency

Definition: the quality or state of being urgent
Synonyms: insistence, exigency, immediate
Example: There was an urgency in her movements.

3. Unambiguity

Definition: clarity achieved by the avoidance of ambiguity
Synonyms: openness, purity, perceptibility
Example: Because of its compactness, fineness and unambiguity, formal analysis of cryptographic protocol has been an efficient and correct method step by step.

4. Upbringing

Definition: the treatment and instruction received by a child from its parents throughout its childhood
Synonyms: raising, breeding, nurture
Example: He finally rebelled against his strict upbringing.

5. Urge

Definition: a strong desire or impulse

Synonyms: wish, need, impulse
Example: I felt an uncontrollable urge to scream.

6. Upright

Definition: a post or rod fixed vertically, especially as a structural support
Synonyms: post, pole, column

Example: The uprights of the structure were embedded in concrete.

7. Unease

Definition: anxiety or discontent

Synonyms: agitation, nervousness, anxiousness
Example: He sensed a certain unease in her.

8. Utilization

Definition: the action of making practical and effective use of something
Synonyms: usage, exploitation, practice
Example: Sensible utilization of the world’s resources is a priority.

9. Utmost

Definition: the greatest or most extreme extent or amount
Synonyms: best, hardest, maximum
Example: That was the utmost he could do.

10. Unbalance

Definition: a lack of symmetry, balance, or stability
Synonyms: instability, disequilibrium, imbalance
Example: An unbalance in one sector can affect the whole.

Nouns That Start with U You Occasionally Use

English has a tone of unique words that you may be well versed with but use it occasionally. Let’s gather a list of certain nouns that start with U you use occasionally in your daily conversation and writings:

1. Union

Definition: the action of joining together or the fact of being joined together, especially in a political context
Synonyms: unification, joining, uniting
Example: The union safeguards the interests of all its members.

2. Unrest

Definition: a state of dissatisfaction, disturbance, and agitation, typically involving public demonstrations or disorder
Synonyms: agitation, disrupt, trouble
Example: There is growing unrest throughout the country.

3. Usefulness

Definition: the quality or fact of being useful
Synonyms: functionality, utility, effectiveness
Example: The theory is of limited usefulness.

4. Uncertainty

Definition: the state of being uncertain
Synonyms: unreliability, unpredictability, variability
Example: There is considerable uncertainty about the company’s future.

5. Update

Definition: an act of updating something or someone or an updated version of something
Synonyms: refurbish, redesign, refresh
Example: The report gives an update on the currency crisis.

6. Unfairness

Definition: lack of equality or justice
Synonyms: injustice, inequity, oppression
Example: We must all fight against unfairness and cruelty.

7. Uniqueness

Definition: the quality of being the only one of its kind
Synonyms: distinctiveness, discrete, peculiarity
Example: The author stresses the uniqueness of the individual.

8. Unconcern

Definition: a lack of worry or interest, especially when surprising or callous
Synonyms: indifference, apathy, passivity
Example: He has shown a surprising unconcern for his own safety.

9. Utensil

Definition: a tool, container, or other article, especially for household use
Synonyms: tool, instrument, gadget
Example: The best utensil for steaming is a wok because its width easily accommodates a whole fish.

10. Unpredictability

Definition: inability to be predicted; changeability
Synonyms: volatility, vulnerability, fluctuation
Example: The unpredictability of life is built into his structure as an essential part of it.

Nouns That Start with U You Seldom Use

Read on to enjoy a list of some nouns that start with the letter U you seldom use in everyday conversation or writing and further explore the function of these all-important nouns.

1. Unlikelihood

Definition: the state or fact of not being likely to happen, be done, or be true
Synonyms: improbability, doubtfulness, implausibility
Example: Given the unlikelihood of a tax increase, these programs will probably run out of funding next year.

2. Unfoldment

Definition: the gradual development or revelation of something
Synonyms: evolvement, progress, outstretching
Example: He who desires wisdom, power, or permanent success of any kind will find it only within; it is an unfoldment.

3. Unpleasantness

Definition: the state or quality of being unpleasant
Synonyms: nastiness, awfulness, horribleness
Example: To avoid any unpleasantness, those unwilling to comply should not seek to take part.

4. Unimportance

Definition: the state or fact of lacking in importance or significance
Synonyms: worthlessness, inessentiality, pettiness
Example: To realize the unimportance of time is the gate of wisdom.

5. Unevenness

Definition: the quality or fact of not being level, equal, flat, or continuous
Synonyms: inconsistency, inequality, dissymmetry
Example: You should smooth out any unevenness in the cloth before you cut it.

6. Underpayment

Definition: the act of paying less than is necessary or less than the value of something, or an occasion when this happens
Synonyms: underpaid, defrayal, compensation
Example: Even a small miscalculation, an underpayment of just one cent, can trigger an avalanche of bureaucracy.

7. Usher

Definition: a person who shows people to their seats, especially in a cinema or theatre or at a wedding
Synonyms: attendant, escort, guide
Example: The usher seated them in the front row.

8. Underestimate

Definition: an estimate that is too low
Synonyms: miscalculate, underrate, undervalue
Example: The official figures are a gross underestimate of the true number.

9. Upswing

Definition: an increase in strength or quantity; an upward trend
Synonyms: increase, growth, acceleration
Example: Violent crime is on the upswing.

10. Underground

Definition: a group or movement organized secretly to work against an existing regime
Synonyms: resistance, guerrillas, freedom fighters
Example: In Britain and the USA in the 1970s, the underground was a powerful subversive force.

Nouns That Start with U You Rarely Use

Under this category, we have gathered here a list of some unbelievably unusual and undeniably utilizable nouns that start with U (U-nouns) to boost up your vocabulary and enhance your English language skills.

1. Undertone

Definition: a subdued or muted tone of sound or colour
Synonyms: murmur, whisper, mutter
Example: She commented in an undertone that the music was really not very good.

2. Upsurge

Definition: an upward surge in the strength or quantity of something; an increase
Synonyms: improvement, boom, recovery
Example: There was a genuine upsurge of religious feeling.

3. Unchastity

Definition:the quality or state of being unchaste
Synonyms: obscenity, vulgarity
Example: She was found guilty of unchastity and buried alive.

4. Unacceptibility

Definition: the state or condition of being unacceptable
Synonyms: inadmissibility, unsatisfactoriness, undesirability
Example: The law reinforces the freedom of information and unacceptability of censorship.

5. Umbrage

Definition: offence or annoyance
Synonyms: take something personally, take something amiss, get the hump
Example: She took umbrage at my remarks about her hair.

6. Udder

Definition: the mammary gland of female cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and related animals, having two or more teats and hanging between the hind legs of the animal
Synonyms: teat, dug, nipple
Example: The cow has a diseased udder.

7. Upheaval

Definition: a violent or sudden change or disruption to something
Synonyms: disturbance, disruption, trouble
Example: Wherever there is political upheaval, invariably there are refugees.

8. Upholstery

Definition: the art or practice of upholstering furniture
Synonyms: furnishing, cushioning, padding
Example: He learned upholstery from his father.

9. Ultimatum

Definition: a final demand or statement of terms, the rejection of which will result in retaliation or a breakdown in relations
Synonyms: final warning, final notice, demand
Example: He rejected the insulting ultimatum of the Russian emperor.

10. Utterance

Definition: a spoken word, statement, or vocal sound
Synonyms: expression, declaration, remarks
Example: His every utterance will be scrutinized.

Positive Nouns That Start with U

It might be a bit unbelievable but positive nouns that start with U are quite unique. It is time to get uplifted by these unique nouns. Dive into short nice words with U that you might really enjoy using in your letters and emails.

1. Undertaking

Definition: a formal pledge or promise to do something
Synonyms: oath, pledge, agreement
Example: She gave a solemn undertaking to respect their decision.

2. Ultimate

Definition: the best achievable or imaginable of its kind
Synonyms: peak, optimum, apex
Example: Guy’s home is the ultimate in luxury.

3. Uptake

Definition: the action of taking up or making use of something that is available
Synonyms: utilization, consumption, intake
Example: There is a 90% uptake of vaccination in this country.

4. Upholder

Definition: a person or organization that upholds a law, a principle, or a decision that has been made
Synonyms: supporter, sustainer, advocate
Example: She joined the police force and became an upholder of law and order.

5. Unanimity

Definition: agreement by all people involved; consensus
Synonyms: agreement, accord, harmony
Example: These discussions have led to a remarkable unanimity.

6. Unification

Definition: the process of being united or made into a whole
Synonyms: merger, union, fusion
Example: This decision may delay the process of European unification.

7. Unison

Definition: simultaneous performance or utterance of action or speech
Synonyms: simultaneously, all at once, all together
Example: ‘Good morning!’ the kids replied in unison.

8. Upshot

Definition: the final or eventual outcome or conclusion of a discussion, action, or series of events
Synonyms: result, outcome, consequence
Example: The upshot of the discussions is that there will be no redundancies.

9. Upside

Definition: the more positive aspect of a situation
Synonyms: benefit, advantage, crown
Example: It’s annoying that we can’t travel until Thursday, but the upside is that the fare’s cheaper then.

10. Urbanization

Definition: the process of making an area more urban
Synonyms: development, growth, expansion
Example: Increased urbanization and the poor sanitation led to many diseases.

Nouns That Start with U – Full List (136 words)

Uberty
Ubiquitary
Udder
Uganda
Ugliness
Ukulele
Ulcer
Ultimate
Ultimation
Ultimatum
Ultracentrifugation
Ultracentrifuge
Ultrasound
Umber
Umbrage
Umbrella
Umpire
Unacceptability
Unaffordability
Unambiguity
Unanimity
Unavailability
Unawareness
Unbalance
Uncertainty
Unchastity
Uncircumcision
Uncle
Unconcern
Unconsciousness
Unconventionality
Unction
Underachievement
Underarm
Underbelly
Underbrush
Underclassman
Undercurrent
Undercut
Underdog
Undergraduate
Underground
Undergrowth
Underpayment
Undershirt
Underside
Understatement
Understructure
Understudy
Undertaker
Undertone
Undertow
Underwear
Underworld
Underwriter
Unease
Uneasiness
Unemployment
Unevenness
Unfairness
Unfoldment
Unfortunate
Unhappiness
Unicorn
Unicycle
Unification
Uniform
Uniformity
Unimportance
Uninitiate
Union
Unique
Uniqueness
Unison
Unit
Unity
Universal
Universality
Universe
University
Unknown
Unlikelihood
Unpleasantness
Unpredictability
Unrealism
Unreality
Unreason
Unreliability
Unrest
Untruth
Upbeat
Update
Upgrade
Upheaval
Upholder
Upholstery
Upkeep
Uplift
Upperclassmen
Uppercut
Upright
Uproar
Upset
Upshot
Upside
Upsurge
Uptake
Uptown
Uptrend
Upturn
Uranium
Uranyl
Urbanism
Urbanization
Urea
Uremia
Urethane
Urethra
Urge
Urgency
Urine
Urn
Usage
Use
Usefulness
User
Usher
Utensil
Utility
Utilization
Utmost
Utopia
Utopian
Utopianism
Utterance
Uttermost

Final Thoughts on Nouns That Start with U

The more we read, the more we advance our literacy. With one flip of the page, we can venture off to unknown worlds filled with mythical dragons, fairy princesses, and ugly ogres. Thanks to literature and poetry, a passport isn’t required to enter new realms. The further you escape into fantasy, the more your vocabulary will grow. You can even author your own future with the nouns starting with U in writing books.

Ready to dabble in a little writing yourself? Scan through the nouns that start with U to see if you can fancify your next tale with any of these nuanced nouns. As a matter of fact, mastering the vocabulary list of nouns beginning with U and being able to use it properly are foundational English language skills.