English Vocabulary - Archives

For each word, you will get the meaning and the root of the word and synonyms and antonyms for the word. For each word, you will also get a simple sentence which uses the word. These sentences help you understand the usage of the words.

UBIQUITOUS (adj)

Meaning
present appearing, or found every where
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
omnipresent, all pervasive, rife prevalent
Antonyms
rare, scarce
Usage
The celebrity was pursued by the ubiquitous paparazzi who were anxious to photograph her.

UMBRAGE (noun)

Meaning
offense
Root of the word
umbr = shadow
Synonyms
insult, slight, bitterness, resentment, aversion, alienation, detestation
Antonyms
-
Usage
He took umbrage at her leg pulling.

UNANIMITY (noun)

Meaning
agreement
Root of the word
un/uni = one
Synonyms
accord, unity, unison, concordance
Antonyms
discord, disagreement, dissonance
Usage
Lack of unanimity among the members of the party led to the discord.

UNANIMOUS (adj)

Meaning
common, in agreement by everyone
Root of the word
UN/UNI = one
Synonyms
undivided, united
Antonyms
split
Usage
The chief was elected unanimously. The selection committee unanimously elected the new captain as he had perfect credentials for the job.

UNASSAILABLE (adj)

Meaning
unable to be attacked, questioned, or defeated
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
impregnable, invulnerable, impenetrable, inviolable, invisible unconquerable, unattachable, secure,
Antonyms
assailable, defenceless
Usage
Ahead of us by more than ten points, the rival team was in an unassailable position.

UNAVAILING (adj)

Meaning
achieving little or nothing.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
ineffective, inefficacious, vain, futile, useless, unsuccessful, nugatory, failed, fruitless, unprod
Antonyms
effective
Usage
Efforts to track the perpetrators of the crime proved unavailing.

UNAWARES (adj)

Meaning
without being aware of a situation
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
by surprise, unexpectedly, without warning, abruptly, unprepared,off-guard,
Antonyms
-
Usage
The sudden and unseasonal downpour caught us unawares.

UNBIDDEN (adj)

Meaning
happening without one expecting or wanting it to happen.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
spontaneous, unprompted, voluntary, unforced, uncompelled, unplanned, unpremeditated, spur-of-the mo
Antonyms
-
Usage
Negative thoughts come unbidden to a pessimist's mind.

UNBRIDLED (adj)

Meaning
unrestrained
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
unrestricted, free, unchained
Antonyms
restricted
Usage
His unbridled enthusiasm is contagious.

UNCEREMONIOUS (adj)

Meaning
impolite or abrupt.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
abrupt, sudden, hasty, hurried, summary, perfunctory, undignified, rude, impolite, uncivil, discourt
Antonyms
polite
Usage
The boss was notorious for the way he treats his subordinates unceremoniously.

UNCHARTED (adj)

Meaning
that which has not been visited or investigated before; not familiar
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
unexplored, untravelled, undiscovered, unresearched, unplumbed, unfamiliar, unknown, strange; unsurv
Antonyms
-
Usage
He is taking a calculated risk by entering into a largely uncharted area of business.

UNCONSCIONABLE (adj)

Meaning
not right or reasonable
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
amoral, unprincipled, unscrupulous, dishonourable, dishonest, corrupt immoral, unethical
Antonyms
scrupulous, ethical, moral
Usage
He is an unconscionable criminal who feels no compunction in leading an immoral life.

UNCOUTH (adj)

Meaning
rude or socially unacceptable
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
uncivilized, uncultured, uncultivated, unrefined, unpolished, common, low, cross.
Antonyms
refined, cultured, cultivated, polite
Usage
It is unbecoming of an educated person to behave in such an uncouth manner.

UNCTUOUS (adj)

Meaning
excessively flattering or friendly
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
sycophantic, ingratiating, servile obsequious, fawning grovelling, subservient, wheedling, cajoling
Antonyms
blunt, no-nonsense
Usage
Some people can go to the extent of being unctuous in order to get things done in their favour.

UNDEMONSTRATIVE (adj)

Meaning
not tending to express feelings openly
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
unemotional, unaffectionate, impassive, dispassionate, restrained, reserved, unresponsive, unmoved,
Antonyms
demonstrative, gushing
Usage
He was undemonstrative in his love even for his own children.

UNDERCURRENT (noun)

Meaning
an underlying feeling or influence
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
undertone, overtone, suggestion, connotation, implication, intimation, hint, nuance, trace, suspicio
Antonyms
-
Usage
I could discern an undercurrent of cynicism in his tone.

UNDERDOG (noun)

Meaning
weaker section, weaker party
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
weaker party, victim, prey, loser, scapegoat.
Antonyms
-
Usage
Mulkraj Anand championed the cause of the underdog.

UNDULATE (verb)

Meaning
roll
Root of the word
unda = wave
Synonyms
ripple, swell, surge, heave
Antonyms
steady, flat
Usage
The undulating green stretch of land was ideally suited for development of a golf course.

UNFALTERING (adj)

Meaning
steady and unswerving
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
resolute, resolved, firm, steadfast, fixed, decided, unfluctuating, unhesitating, unwavering, unvaci
Antonyms
faltering, steady
Usage
She marched ahead with an unfaltering step.

UNFLAGGING (adj)

Meaning
remaining strong, not becoming weak or tired
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
tireless, persistent, dogged, tenacious, determined, resolute, staunch, unremitting, unrelenting, un
Antonyms
flagging, constant
Usage
Her unflagging determination helped her immensely in tiding over the crisis.

UNFLINCHING (adj)

Meaning
not afraid or hesitant
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
resolute, determined, dogged, tenacious, resolute, staunch
Antonyms
unsteady, wavering
Usage
The armed forces pledged their unflinching support to the government during the hour of crisis.

UNILATERAL (adv)

Meaning
one-sided
Root of the word
lat = side
Synonyms
independent
Antonyms
joint
Usage
If the other party does not turn up, the case will be decided unilaterally.

UNNERVE (verb)

Meaning
make (someone) feel nervous or frightened.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit, deject, daunt, cow, alarm, frighten, dismay, distress,
Antonyms
encourage, hearten
Usage
I felt slightly unnerved by the spooky surroundings of the place.

UNSTUDIED (adj)

Meaning
natural and unaffected
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
natural, unlaboured, easy, unaffected, unforced, uncontrived, unmannered, unstilted, unpretentious,
Antonyms
-
Usage
She composes verses with unstudied ease.

UNTOWARD (adj)

Meaning
unexpected and unusual
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
unanticipated, unforeseen, unpredictable, surprising, inopportune, untimely, unseasonable, ill-timed
Antonyms
Usage
There will not be any change in the schedule unless anything untoward happens.

UNWIELDY (adj)

Meaning
hard to move or manage because of its size, shape or weight
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
cumbersome, unmanageable, unmanoeuvrable, awkward, difficult, clumsy, ungainly; massive, heavy, heft
Antonyms
manageable, dainty
Usage
The ordeal of lugging my unwieldly baggage over a flight of stairs left me totally exhausted and panting for breath.

UNWONTED (adj)

Meaning
not usual or expected
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
unusual, uncommon, unaccustomed, uncustomary, unfamiliar, unprecedented, atypical, untypical, abnorm
Antonyms
usual, customary, habitual
Usage
The suggestion was accepted with unwonted enthusiasm.

UPHEAVAL (noun)

Meaning
violent or sudden change or disruption.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
disruption, upset, disturbance, trouble, turbulence, disorder, disorganization, confusion, turmoil,
Antonyms
stability, tranquility
Usage
The assassination of the Prime Minister was followed by a political upheaval and anarchy in the country.

UPSHOT (noun)

Meaning
the eventual outcome or conclusion.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
result, consequence, outcome, sequel, effect, reaction, repercussion, reverberations, ramification,
Antonyms
cause, origin
Usage
The upshot of the negotiations between the management and the employees ended in a compromise.

UPSTANDING (adj)

Meaning
honest, upright and respectable
Root of the word
Synonyms
honest, honourable, upright, respectable, reputable, high-minded, law-abiding, right-minded, worthy,
Antonyms
dishonourable, crooked
Usage
He looked like an upstanding man but alas! appearances were deceptive. Although he appeared to be an upstanding citizen, he eventually turned out to be a crook.

UPSTART (noun)

Meaning
a person who has suddenly become important and behaves arrogantly
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
parvenu, arriviste, nouveau riche, vulgarian, status seeker, social climber
Antonyms
-
Usage
The upstart gloated over his newly acquired wealth.

URBANE (adj)

Meaning
suave
Root of the word
urb = city
Synonyms
polished, sophisticated, cultured, refined, stylish, debonair, elegant
Antonyms
rustic, unsophisticated, uncouth
Usage
John's urbane style appealed to his peers.

USHER (verb)

Meaning
to escort people to seats in a hall etc
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
escort, accompany, help, assist, take, sow, lead, conduct, guide, steer, pilot, shepherd, convoy
Antonyms
-
Usage
The guests were ushered in to their seats before the beginning of the programme.

UTILITARIAN (adj)

Meaning
designed to be useful and practical rather than attractive.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
practical, functional, serviceable, useful, sensible, effective, pragmatic, realistic, utility, work
Antonyms
-
Usage
I prefer living in a utilitarian house rather than a glamorous one.

UTOPIAN (adj)

Meaning
impractical
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
fanciful, unrealistic
Antonyms
practical, feasible
Usage
His Utopian dreams will never be realised.