unability
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B2 noun /ʌnəˈbɪləti/

unability

Meaning
the state of being unable to do something; incapacity
Example
His unability to solve the problem caused delays in the project.
B1 verb /ʌnˈpæk/

unpack

Meaning
to remove items from a container; to explain or analyze something in detail
Example
After arriving home, she began to unpack her suitcase.
B2 adverb /ʌnˈdaʊtɪdli/

undoubtedly

Meaning
without a doubt, certainly
Example
He is undoubtedly the best player on the team.
C2 adjective /ˌʌnəˈsweɪdʒd/

unassuaged

Meaning
Not made less intense or relieved; unrelieved.
Example
His grief remained unassuaged despite the passage of time.
B2 adjective /ˌʌn.kəʊˈɒp.ər.ə.tɪv/

uncooperative

Meaning
not willing to help or work with others; unhelpful
Example
The witness was uncooperative and refused to answer questions.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈiːvən/

Uneven

Meaning
not level or smooth; not regular or consistent
Example
The road was uneven and full of potholes.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkæni/

uncanny

Meaning
Strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way.
Example
She has an uncanny ability to predict the future.
B1 adjective /ˈɜːrbən/

urban

Meaning
related to, characteristic of, or situated in a city or town
Example
Urban areas often have higher population density than rural areas.
C1 noun /ˈʌndərˌstʌdi/

understudy

Meaning
An actor who learns another's role to act as a replacement if needed.
Example
The understudy performed when the lead actor fell ill.
B1 noun /juːˈten.səlz/

Utensils

Meaning
tools or implements used for cooking, eating, or serving food
Example
Please wash all the cooking utensils after preparing dinner.
B1 adjective /ʌnɪmˈplɔɪd/

Unemployed

Meaning
without a job; not having paid work
Example
He has been unemployed for six months now.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈspɛərɪŋ/

unsparing

Meaning
Showing no mercy or generosity; harsh or severe.
Example
The critic was unsparing in his review of the play.
C2 verb /ˌʌndərˈɡɜːrd/

undergird

Meaning
to provide support or foundation for; to strengthen
Example
Strong values undergird a healthy society.
C1 noun /ˈʌndərˌteɪkər/

undertaker

Meaning
A person whose job is to prepare the dead for burial and arrange funerals.
Example
The undertaker prepared the body for the funeral service.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈstɪntɪŋ/

unstinting

Meaning
given generously without holding back
Example
She received unstinting support from her family.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈstɛdi/

unsteady

Meaning
not firm or stable; likely to change or fail
Example
She felt unsteady on her feet after the long journey.
C1 noun /ˌʌnprɪˈdɪktəˌbɪləti/

unpredictability

Meaning
The quality of being impossible to predict or anticipate.
Example
The unpredictability of the weather made the trip uncertain.
B1 adjective /ˌʌndərˈstændəbl/

understandable

Meaning
Able to be understood; reasonable or justifiable.
Example
Her reaction was understandable given the situation.
C1 verb /ʌnˈmɑːsk/

unmask

Meaning
to remove a mask or covering; to reveal the true identity, nature, or intentions of someone or something
Example
The investigation helped unmask the real culprit behind the crime.
B1 adjective /ˈʌpər/

upper

Meaning
higher in position or rank
Example
The upper floor of the building is under renovation.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈbæləns/

Unbalanced

Meaning
not balanced; lacking stability or equilibrium; mentally unstable
Example
The unbalanced table kept wobbling.
C1 verb /ʌnˈrævəl/

unravel

Meaning
To undo twisted or knitted threads; to solve or explain something complicated.
Example
The detective worked hard to unravel the mystery.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈfɔːr.tʃən.ət/

Unfortunate

Meaning
having bad luck; regrettable or unlucky
Example
It was unfortunate that the meeting was cancelled at the last minute.
C2 noun /ˈʌndərlɪŋ/

underling

Meaning
a person of low rank or importance; a subordinate
Example
The manager ordered his underlings to finish the task quickly.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnəˈdɔːrnd/

unadorned

Meaning
Plain and simple; not decorated.
Example
The room was unadorned, with only a table and a chair.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈlaɪkli/

Unlikely

Meaning
not likely to happen; improbable
Example
It's unlikely to rain today with such clear skies.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈfeɪ.vər.ə.bəl/

Unfavourable

Meaning
not helpful or advantageous; adverse
Example
The weather conditions were unfavourable for our outdoor event.
C1 adjective ʌnˈtʃɑːtɪd

uncharted

Meaning
Not mapped or surveyed; unknown or unexplored.
Example
The mission aimed to explore uncharted areas of the planet.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnəˈteɪnəbl/

unattainable

Meaning
impossible to achieve, reach, or accomplish
Example
For many, becoming a professional athlete remains an unattainable dream.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈdʒʌst/

Unjust

Meaning
not fair or right; morally wrong
Example
The punishment was unjust for such a minor offense.
B1 adjective /ˈɜːrdʒənt/

Urgent

Meaning
requiring immediate action or attention; pressing
Example
The patient needs urgent medical attention.
C2 adjective /ˌʌnɪmˈpiːtʃəbl/

unimpeachable

Meaning
Not able to be doubted, questioned, or criticized; completely trustworthy.
Example
She is known for her unimpeachable honesty.
B1 adjective /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfl/

Unsuccessful

Meaning
not achieving desired aims or results; failing to accomplish a purpose
Example
His unsuccessful attempt to climb the mountain left him disappointed.
C1 noun /ʌnˈfeɪθfʊlnəs/

unfaithfulness

Meaning
the quality of being disloyal or not faithful; breach of trust or fidelity
Example
His unfaithfulness led to the end of their marriage.
B2 noun /ʌnˈkaɪndnəs/

unkindness

Meaning
lack of kindness; cruel or inconsiderate behavior
Example
His unkindness hurt her feelings deeply.
C1 adjective /ˈʌpərˌmoʊst/

uppermost

Meaning
situated at the highest place or most important
Example
Her family's safety was uppermost in her mind during the crisis.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsəʊʃəl/

unsocial

Meaning
not enjoying the company of others; avoiding social interaction; contrary to social norms
Example
He prefers unsocial hours so he can work alone without interruptions.
C1 noun /ˌʌnriˈælɪti/

unreality

Meaning
the state or quality of being unreal; lack of reality or truth
Example
The dreamlike setting gave the story a sense of unreality.
A1 interjection /ʌ/

uh

Meaning
a sound people make when they hesitate or are unsure what to say next.
Example
Uh, I’m not sure if that’s the right answer.
B2 noun /ʌnˈkɒnʃəsnəs/

unconsciousness

Meaning
the state of being unaware of and unable to respond to one's surroundings
Example
After the accident, he was in a state of unconsciousness for several hours.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈɑːrmd/

unarmed

Meaning
Not equipped with or carrying weapons
Example
The police found the suspect unarmed during the search.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈkʊkt/

uncooked

Meaning
Not cooked; in a raw state.
Example
Eating uncooked meat can be dangerous.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈtaɪmli/

Untimely

Meaning
happening at an inappropriate or inconvenient time; premature
Example
His untimely death at the age of thirty shocked everyone.
B2 verb /ʌnˈtaɪ/

untie

Meaning
to loosen or remove a knot or binding; to release something that is tied
Example
She untied the rope to free the boat.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈlɔːfl/

Unlawful

Meaning
not authorized by law; illegal
Example
The court declared the search unlawful.
B1 noun /ʌnˈhæp.i.nəs/

unhappiness

Meaning
the state of being unhappy; sadness or dissatisfaction
Example
Her constant unhappiness affected everyone around her.
B1 verb /juˈnaɪt/

unite

Meaning
to join together or combine; to bring people or things together
Example
The crisis helped unite the community.
B2 adverb /ˈɜːrdʒəntli/

urgently

Meaning
in a way that requires immediate attention or action
Example
The patient urgently needs medical attention.
C2 adjective /ˈʌŋk.tʃu.əs/

unctuous

Meaning
Excessively flattering or ingratiating; oily in texture.
Example
His unctuous tone made everyone uncomfortable.
B2 noun ˈjuːnəti

unity

Meaning
The state of being united or joined as a whole.
Example
Unity among people led to victory.
B2 adjective /ʌnhaɪˈdʒiːnɪk/

Unhygienic

Meaning
not clean; lacking proper sanitation
Example
The restaurant was closed due to unhygienic conditions in the kitchen.
A1 verb /ˌʌndərˈstænd/

understand

Meaning
to know the meaning of something; to comprehend
Example
Do you understand the instructions?
A1 adverb /ˈjuː.ʒu.ə.li/

Usually

Meaning
in most cases; generally; as a rule
Example
I usually wake up at 7 AM every morning.
C1 adjective /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/

ubiquitous

Meaning
Existing or being everywhere at the same time.
Example
Social media has become ubiquitous among young people.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈduː/

Undue

Meaning
excessive; inappropriate; more than is necessary or proper
Example
The teacher complained about undue pressure from parents.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈfrɛndli/

unfriendly

Meaning
not kind or welcoming; hostile or cold in behavior or attitude
Example
The shop owner seemed unfriendly to new customers.
C2 verb /ʌpˈhiːv/

upheave

Meaning
to lift or raise something forcefully; to cause to rise suddenly
Example
The workers had to upheave the heavy stone to clear the path.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈweɪ.vər.ɪŋ/

unwavering

Meaning
Steady or resolute; not wavering.
Example
He showed unwavering dedication to his goal.
A2 adjective /ʌnˈhel.θi/

Unhealthy

Meaning
harmful to health; not in good health; detrimental to well-being
Example
Eating too much fast food is unhealthy for your body.
C2 noun /juːˈkeɪs/

ukase

Meaning
An authoritative decree or order, especially one issued by a sovereign or government.
Example
The czar issued a ukase restricting the freedom of the press.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈkaɪnd/

Unkind

Meaning
cruel; not nice or caring toward others
Example
It was unkind of him to make fun of her appearance.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈtʃeɪndʒəbəl/

Unchangeable

Meaning
not able to be changed or altered; fixed and permanent
Example
The laws of physics are unchangeable principles that govern the universe.
C1 verb /ˌʌndərˈsteɪt/

understate

Meaning
To describe something as being less important or serious than it really is.
Example
He tends to understate his achievements.
C1 adjective /ˌʌndərˈsteɪtɪd/

understated

Meaning
Presented in a subtle and restrained way.
Example
She wore an elegant but understated dress.
B2 verb /ˌʌndərˈmaɪn/

undermine

Meaning
to gradually weaken or damage something or someone
Example
Constant criticism can undermine a child's confidence.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈmærid/

unmarried

Meaning
Not married; single.
Example
He is thirty-five and still unmarried.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪəbəl/

unemployable

Meaning
Not able to be employed; lacking the skills or qualities necessary for employment
Example
Due to his criminal record, he was considered unemployable in most companies.
A1 adjective /ˈjuːs.fəl/

Useful

Meaning
having a beneficial purpose; practical
Example
This tool is very useful for fixing problems.
C2 verb /ʌnˈkaʊtʃ/

uncouch

Meaning
to remove from a couch or to release from being laid down (rare/archaic usage)
Example
The surgeon attempted to uncouch the cataract.
C1 verb /ˌʌndəˈreɪt/

underrate

Meaning
to fail to recognize the full value or importance of something or someone
Example
Many people underrate the benefits of regular exercise.
C2 noun /ˈɜːrtʃɪn/

urchin

Meaning
a mischievous or poorly dressed child, often from the streets
Example
The ragged urchins played by the riverbank.
C2 adjective /ˌʌltrəˈmɒnteɪn/

ultramontane

Meaning
beyond the mountains, especially referring to support for the Pope over local church authority
Example
The debate highlighted the ultramontane position in church politics.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈendɪŋ/

Unending

Meaning
continuing forever; without end
Example
The unending rain made the day feel gloomy.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnrɪˈkwaɪtɪd/

unrequited

Meaning
Not returned or reciprocated, especially in the context of love or affection.
Example
He suffered from unrequited love for years.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnprɪˈtɛnʃəs/

unpretentious

Meaning
modest; not attempting to impress others with appearance or importance
Example
She lives in an unpretentious home but is very happy.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈfeɪv(ə)rəbəl/

unfavorable

Meaning
not beneficial or advantageous; showing disapproval or opposition
Example
The proposal received an unfavorable response from the committee.
C2 verb /ˌʌn.dɪˈsiːv/

undeceive

Meaning
To free someone from a misconception or false belief.
Example
She tried to undeceive him about the false rumors.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈfeɪθ.fəl/

Unfaithful

Meaning
not loyal or true to a spouse, partner, or commitment
Example
He was unfaithful to his wife for many years.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈnætʃərəl/

Unnatural

Meaning
not existing in nature; artificial; forced
Example
The actor's smile looked unnatural and forced.
C1 noun /ˈʌp.rɔːr/

Uproar

Meaning
a loud and emotional noise or disturbance; public outcry
Example
The announcement caused an uproar among the students.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈplɛz.ənt/

Unpleasant

Meaning
not giving or causing pleasure; disagreeable
Example
The medicine had an unpleasant taste.
C2 adverb /ʌnˈɜːrɪŋli/

unerringly

Meaning
Without making any mistakes; always accurate
Example
The archer aimed unerringly at the target.
B2 adjective /ˌʌndɪˈsaɪdɪd/

Undecided

Meaning
not having made a decision; uncertain
Example
She was undecided about which college to attend.
C1 noun ˌʌndərˈprɪvəlɪdʒd ɡruːps

underprivileged groups

Meaning
Groups of people who lack basic necessities or advantages that are available to other members of society.
Example
Underprivileged groups benefit from social initiatives.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈvɔɪst/

unvoiced

Meaning
not expressed in speech; in phonetics, a sound produced without vocal cord vibration
Example
The student kept her opinion unvoiced during the meeting.
B2 adjective /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsəl/

Universal

Meaning
applicable to all cases; existing everywhere
Example
Music is a universal language that everyone understands.
C2 adjective /ˌʌnpriːpəˈzɛsɪŋ/

unprepossessing

Meaning
not attractive or appealing in appearance
Example
Despite his unprepossessing looks, he was very kind and intelligent.
B1 adjective /ˌʌnbɪˈliːvəbəl/

Unbelievable

Meaning
impossible to believe; extremely surprising or remarkable
Example
The magician's performance was absolutely unbelievable.
B2 adjective /ʌnəˈfreɪd/

unafraid

Meaning
Not feeling fear; brave or courageous
Example
She walked into the dark room, unafraid of what might be inside.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈbiːtən/

Unbeaten

Meaning
not defeated; having never lost; undefeated
Example
The team remains unbeaten this season.
C2 verb /juˈzɜrp/

usurp

Meaning
to take someone's position of power illegally or by force
Example
The general tried to usurp the king's throne.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈbraɪdld/

unbridled

Meaning
Uncontrolled and unrestrained.
Example
The protesters showed unbridled enthusiasm for change.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnfɔːrˈsiːn/

unforeseen

Meaning
Not anticipated or predicted; unexpected.
Example
The project faced unforeseen challenges that delayed its completion.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈflɛdʒd/

unfledged

Meaning
Inexperienced, immature, or not fully developed.
Example
The unfledged writer struggled to complete his first novel.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈsɜːrtən/

Uncertain

Meaning
not able to be relied on; not known or definite; not having reliable knowledge
Example
I am uncertain about my future career plans.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈsuːtəbl/

Unsuitable

Meaning
not fitting or appropriate for a particular purpose or situation
Example
This formal dress is unsuitable for a casual beach party.
A2 adjective /ˈjuːʒəl/

usual

Meaning
habitually or typically occurring or done
Example
It’s our usual meeting spot.
B2 verb /ˌʌndərˈteɪk/

undertake

Meaning
to commit to and begin a task or project; to take on responsibility
Example
She decided to undertake a challenging project.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkuːθ/

uncouth

Meaning
Lacking good manners, refinement, or grace; awkward or rough.
Example
His uncouth behavior shocked the guests at the party.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnəˈfɪʃ.əl/

Unofficial

Meaning
not officially authorized or confirmed; informal
Example
The unofficial results showed a close race.
C2 noun /ˌjuːnɪˈtɛəriən/

unitarian

Meaning
A person who believes that God exists as one entity rather than as a Trinity; a member of a religious denomination that emphasizes individual freedom of belief.
Example
The Unitarian church is known for its inclusive and open-minded approach.
B2 adjective /ˈʌpˌraɪt/

Upright

Meaning
honest and morally correct; vertical or erect in position
Example
She is known for being an upright and honest businesswoman.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈdɔːntɪd/

Undaunted

Meaning
not intimidated or discouraged by difficulty, danger, or disappointment
Example
Despite the setbacks, she remained undaunted in pursuing her goals.
B1 noun /ˈjuːnɪvɜːrs/

Universe

Meaning
all existing matter and space; the cosmos
Example
Scientists study the universe to understand its mysteries.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈfɛtərd/

unfettered

Meaning
not restricted or confined; free
Example
The artist enjoyed unfettered freedom of expression.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnkɒnstɪˈtuːʃənəl/

Unconstitutional

Meaning
not in accordance with a political constitution; violating constitutional principles
Example
The court declared the new law unconstitutional.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈnesəseri/

Unnecessary

Meaning
not needed; not required; pointless
Example
The meeting was unnecessary since all decisions were already made.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈflæpəbəl/

unflappable

Meaning
calm and composed, especially in difficult situations
Example
Despite the crisis, he remained unflappable and confident.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈtiːtʃəbəl/

unteachable

Meaning
not able or willing to learn; resistant to instruction or guidance
Example
He was so stubborn that he became almost unteachable.
C1 adjective /ˌjuːnɪˈsɛljʊlər/

unicellular

Meaning
Consisting of a single cell.
Example
Amoebas are unicellular organisms.
B2 verb /ˌʌndərˈskɔːr/

underscore

Meaning
to emphasize or highlight something
Example
The incident underscored the need for better safety measures.
B2 adjective /ʌnprəˈdʌk.tɪv/

Unproductive

Meaning
not achieving much; not producing good results
Example
The meeting was unproductive and wasted everyone's time.
A2 adjective /ˈjuːs.ləs/

Useless

Meaning
having no beneficial purpose; not useful
Example
This broken computer is completely useless.
A2 noun /ˌʌpˈsteəz/

Upstairs

Meaning
on or to an upper floor of a building; the upper floor or floors
Example
She went upstairs to her bedroom to rest.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnəˈfɛktɪd/

unaffected

Meaning
Not influenced or touched by something; genuine and natural.
Example
He remained unaffected by the criticism and kept working hard.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈælɔɪd/

unalloyed

Meaning
Pure, complete, and not mixed with anything else.
Example
She felt unalloyed joy at the news of her success.
C1 noun /ˈʌp.tɜːn/

upturn

Meaning
An improvement or upward trend in a situation, especially in business or economy.
Example
The company experienced an upturn in sales last quarter.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnəˈweər/

Unaware

Meaning
not knowing or realizing; having no knowledge of something
Example
She was completely unaware of the danger.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsəʊʃəbl/

unsociable

Meaning
not enjoying the company of others; avoiding social interaction
Example
He became unsociable after moving to a new city.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsaɪtli/

unsightly

Meaning
Unpleasant to look at; ugly.
Example
The garbage pile created an unsightly view in the park.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈnoʊn/

Unknown

Meaning
not known or identified; unfamiliar
Example
The author of this letter remains unknown.