underlying
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B2 adjective /ˌʌndərˈlaɪɪŋ/

underlying

Meaning
basic or hidden but important; forming the foundation of something
Example
The underlying reason for the conflict was never addressed.
C2 noun/verb /ˈʌpˌkæst/

upcast

Meaning
Verb: To cast or throw upward. Noun: Something thrown or directed upward.
Example
The fisherman upcast his net into the air.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbl/

Unreliable

Meaning
not dependable; not able to be trusted or relied upon
Example
The old car is unreliable and breaks down frequently.
B2 adverb juːˈnæn.ɪ.məs.li

unanimously

Meaning
With the agreement of all people involved; without opposition.
Example
The proposal was unanimously accepted.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkɛmpt/

unkempt

Meaning
Having an untidy or disheveled appearance.
Example
He looked unkempt after sleeping outdoors all night.
A1 adjective /ˈjuːs.fəl/

Useful

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

utilitarianism

Meaning
The ethical theory that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of the majority.
Example
Utilitarianism suggests that we should act to maximize overall happiness.
B2 noun /ˈɜː.dʒən.si/

Urgency

Meaning
the quality of requiring immediate action or attention; pressing importance
Example
The urgency of the situation required immediate medical attention.
A2 conjunction /ʌnˈlɛs/

unless

Meaning
except if
Example
We won't go unless it stops raining.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈmɪtɪɡeɪtɪd/

unmitigated

Meaning
absolute; not lessened or moderated
Example
The meeting was an unmitigated disaster.
C1 noun /ˈʌp.rɔːr/

Uproar

Meaning
a loud and emotional noise or disturbance; public outcry
Example
The announcement caused an uproar among the students.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkʌltʃəd/

Uncultured

Meaning
lacking good manners, refinement, or education; uncivilized
Example
His uncultured behavior embarrassed everyone at the dinner party.
C1 adjective /ʌlˈtɪəriər/

ulterior

Meaning
hidden or secret, often with a selfish motive
Example
He invited her with an ulterior motive.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈpɒpjʊlə/

unpopular

Meaning
not liked or supported by many people
Example
The decision was unpopular with the public.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈɒnəd/

unhonoured

Meaning
not respected or given the recognition that is deserved; treated without honor
Example
He felt unhonoured after his years of service were ignored.
C2 verb /ˈʌndərˌmæn/

underman

Meaning
to supply with fewer workers or personnel than needed
Example
The hospital was undermanned during the flu outbreak.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈwɜːrði/

Unworthy

Meaning
not deserving respect or attention; lacking worth or merit
Example
He felt unworthy of such praise and recognition.
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.
B1 adverb /ʌnˈjuːʒuəli/

unusually

Meaning
in a way that is not typical or expected; to an uncommon degree
Example
It was unusually cold for this time of year.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈkɒnʃənəbl/

unconscionable

Meaning
shockingly unfair or unreasonable
Example
The company made unconscionable profits from the crisis.
B1 noun /ˈjuːs.fəl.nəs/

Usefulness

Meaning
the quality of being useful; practical value or helpfulness
Example
The usefulness of this tool became apparent during the project.
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.
B1 verb /juˈnaɪt/

unite

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

unafraid

Meaning
Not feeling fear; brave or courageous
Example
She walked into the dark room, unafraid of what might be inside.
C2 adjective /ʌkˈsɔːriəs/

uxorious

Meaning
excessively fond of or submissive to one's wife
Example
He was so uxorious that he agreed with everything his wife said.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈstɪntɪŋ/

unstinting

Meaning
given generously without holding back
Example
She received unstinting support from her family.
C2 adjective /ˌʌnpriːpəˈzɛsɪŋ/

unprepossessing

Meaning
not attractive or appealing in appearance
Example
Despite his unprepossessing looks, he was very kind and intelligent.
C1 adjective ʌnˈwɔːr.rən.tɪd

unwarranted

Meaning
Not justified or necessary; without good reason.
Example
His anger toward the staff was completely unwarranted.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈwel/

Unwell

Meaning
not in good health; feeling sick or ill
Example
She has been feeling unwell since yesterday.
C2 adjective /ʌnəˈpiːzd/

unappeased

Meaning
Not satisfied or calmed; still feeling discontent or anger
Example
Despite the apology, she remained unappeased.
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.
C1 verb /ˌʌndərˈlaɪ/

underlie

Meaning
to be the hidden cause or basis of something
Example
Strong cultural traditions underlie the community's practices.
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.
C1 noun /ˈʌndərdɒɡ/

underdog

Meaning
a competitor thought to have little chance of winning; a weaker party in a contest
Example
The underdog team surprised everyone by winning the championship.
B1 verb /ˈʌpˌɡreɪd/

upgrade

Meaning
to raise something to a higher standard, improve
Example
We decided to upgrade the software to the latest version.
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.
C1 adjective ˌʌn.pəˈtɜːbd

unperturbed

Meaning
Not worried or disturbed by something; calm and composed.
Example
She remained unperturbed despite the challenges.
C1 verb /ˈʌndərkʌt/

undercut

Meaning
to sell at a lower price than a competitor; to weaken or undermine something
Example
The company tried to undercut its rivals by offering lower prices.
C2 adjective /ˌʌnprəˈpɪʃəs/

unpropitious

Meaning
Not giving or indicating a good chance of success; unfavorable.
Example
The team began their journey under unpropitious weather conditions.
B1 noun /ˈjuːnjən/

Union

Meaning
the action of joining or combining; a political unit formed from separate states
Example
The union of the two companies created a powerful corporation.
A1 preposition/conjunction /ʌnˈtɪl/

until

Meaning
up to the time of
Example
I will wait until you come back.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/

unchanging

Meaning
remaining the same over time; not changing
Example
Her love for her family was unchanging throughout the years.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈθɪŋkəbl/

Unthinkable

Meaning
impossible to conceive or imagine; beyond belief or consideration
Example
It was unthinkable that such a tragedy could happen in our peaceful town.
C2 noun /ˈʌn.dɚˌstɔː.ri/

understory

Meaning
The layer of vegetation beneath the main canopy of a forest.
Example
The understory of a rainforest is home to small mammals and insects.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnəˈsjuːmɪŋ/

unassuming

Meaning
Not pretentious or arrogant; modest.
Example
Despite his success, he remained unassuming and humble.
C1 verb /ˌʌndərˈsɛl/

undersell

Meaning
to sell something at a lower price than competitors or to downplay the value of something
Example
The shop undersold its rivals by offering huge discounts.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈwiːldi/

unwieldy

Meaning
Difficult to carry or move because of its size, shape, or weight.
Example
The box was too unwieldy to carry up the stairs.
C2 adjective /juːˈʒʊəriəs/

usurious

Meaning
Charging excessively high interest rates on loans.
Example
The bank was accused of offering loans at usurious rates.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈfɔːltərɪŋ/

unfaltering

Meaning
Steady and resolute; not weakening or hesitating
Example
She continued with unfaltering determination.
C2 noun /ˈʌŋkʃən/

unction

Meaning
The act of anointing as part of a religious or ceremonial ritual; excessive or insincere flattery.
Example
The priest performed the holy unction with solemnity.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsoʊld/

unsold

Meaning
not sold; remaining without a buyer
Example
The unsold goods were returned to the warehouse.
C2 adjective /ˌʌn.təˈwɔːrd/

untoward

Meaning
Unexpected and inappropriate or inconvenient.
Example
The meeting ended without any untoward incidents.
A2 adjective /ˈʌɡ.li/

Ugly

Meaning
unpleasant or repulsive in appearance; morally reprehensible
Example
The old building looked ugly after years of neglect.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈlɛtəd/

unlettered

Meaning
lacking education or the ability to read and write; illiterate
Example
The unlettered villagers relied on oral traditions to preserve their history.
A2 preposition /əˈpɒn/

upon

Meaning
on or immediately after
Example
Upon hearing the news, he rushed to the hospital.
B2 verb /ˌʌndərˈɛstɪmeɪt/

underestimate

Meaning
To judge something as less important or smaller than it really is.
Example
Never underestimate the power of teamwork.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnəˈfɪʃ.əl/

Unofficial

Meaning
not officially authorized or confirmed; informal
Example
The unofficial results showed a close race.
B1 adjective /ˈjuːnɪfɔːrm/

Uniform

Meaning
consistent; identical; standardized
Example
All students must wear a uniform to school.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈflæpəbəl/

unflappable

Meaning
calm and composed, especially in difficult situations
Example
Despite the crisis, he remained unflappable and confident.
B2 verb /ʌpˈhoʊld/

uphold

Meaning
to maintain or support a principle, law, or decision
Example
The judge promised to uphold justice at all costs.
C2 verb /ʌnˈkloʊð/

unclothe

Meaning
to remove clothing from someone or something
Example
The nurse helped unclothe the patient for the examination.
C2 adjective /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/

ubiquitious

Meaning
Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
Example
Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society.
B2 adverb /ʌnˈfɛərli/

unfairly

Meaning
In a manner that is not just, reasonable, or impartial
Example
He was treated unfairly by the committee.
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 /ʌnˈfɛtərd/

unfettered

Meaning
not restricted or confined; free
Example
The artist enjoyed unfettered freedom of expression.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈberəbəl/

Unbearable

Meaning
too painful, annoying, or unpleasant to tolerate; impossible to endure
Example
The heat in the desert was unbearable.
B2 adjective /ʌnˌkənˈfɜːmd/

Unconfirmed

Meaning
not confirmed as true or definite; not verified or substantiated
Example
The report remains unconfirmed until we receive official verification.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈkʊkt/

uncooked

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

underhanded

Meaning
acting or done in a dishonest or secret way
Example
They exposed the company's underhanded dealings with its suppliers.
B2 verb /ɜːrdʒ/

urge

Meaning
to strongly encourage or try to persuade someone to do something
Example
Doctors urge patients to exercise regularly.
C1 adverb /ˌʌnkənˈvɛnʃənəli/

unconventionally

Meaning
in a way that is not based on or conforming to accepted standards or norms
Example
She dresses unconventionally, mixing bold colors and patterns that surprise everyone.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnsəˈfɪstɪˌkeɪtɪd/

unsophisticated

Meaning
Lacking worldly experience, refinement, or complexity.
Example
The villagers led an unsophisticated but happy life.
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.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈnoʊn/

Unknown

Meaning
not known or identified; unfamiliar
Example
The author of this letter remains unknown.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈɪndʒərd/

uninjured

Meaning
Without injury; not physically harmed.
Example
All the passengers were rescued uninjured.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈriːdəbl/

unreadable

Meaning
not able to be read or understood clearly; illegible
Example
The doctor’s handwriting was completely unreadable.
C2 adjective /ˈʌndjʊləs/

undulous

Meaning
Having a wavy surface or form.
Example
The artist painted the undulous sea at sunset.
B2 verb /ʌnˈveɪl/

unveil

Meaning
to reveal or disclose something, especially in a formal manner
Example
The company will unveil a new product next week.
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.
A2 adjective /ˈjuːs.ləs/

Useless

Meaning
having no beneficial purpose; not useful
Example
This broken computer is completely useless.
C1 noun ˈʌp.raɪ.zɪŋ

uprising

Meaning
An act of resistance or rebellion; a revolt against an authority or government.
Example
The uprising marked the beginning of the revolution.
C2 adjective /ɜːrˈbeɪn/

urbane

Meaning
showing polished manners, refinement, and sophistication
Example
He was an urbane gentleman who charmed everyone at the party.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈplɛz.ənt/

Unpleasant

Meaning
not giving or causing pleasure; disagreeable
Example
The medicine had an unpleasant taste.
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.
B1 adjective /ˈʌpər/

upper

Meaning
higher in position or rank
Example
The upper floor of the building is under renovation.
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.
B1 adverb /ˌʌpsaɪd ˈdaʊn/

Upside-down

Meaning
with the upper part at the bottom; in or into a reversed position
Example
The picture was hanging upside-down on the wall.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈspiːkəbl/

unspeakable

Meaning
too bad or shocking to be expressed in words
Example
The survivors endured unspeakable horrors during the war.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈendɪŋ/

Unending

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

unreasonable

Meaning
not guided by reason or fairness; excessive or extreme beyond what is acceptable
Example
The manager made an unreasonable demand that no one could realistically meet.
C1 adverb /ʌnˈnætʃrəli/

unnaturally

Meaning
in a way that is not natural or normal; excessively or strangely
Example
He smiled unnaturally, making everyone feel uncomfortable.
C2 noun juːˈbɪkwɪti

ubiquity

Meaning
The fact of appearing everywhere or of being very common.
Example
The ubiquity of smartphones has transformed communication.
C2 noun /ɜːrˈbænɪti/

urbanity

Meaning
refined courtesy, elegance, and sophistication in manner
Example
Her urbanity made her popular among diplomats and leaders.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈmærid/

unmarried

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

uncouth

Meaning
Lacking good manners, refinement, or grace; awkward or rough.
Example
His uncouth behavior shocked the guests at the party.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkwes.tʃən.ə.bl̩/

Unquestionable

Meaning
not able to be disputed or doubted; certain and beyond doubt
Example
Her honesty and integrity are unquestionable qualities.
C2 adjective /ˌʌnrɪˈmɪtɪŋ/

unremitting

Meaning
Never relaxing or stopping; persistent.
Example
Her unremitting efforts finally paid off.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈɡɑː.dɪd/

Unguarded

Meaning
not protected or defended; careless about revealing private thoughts or information
Example
In an unguarded moment, she revealed her true feelings about the project.
C1 adjective ʌnˈpær.ə.leld

Unparalleled

Meaning
Having no equal; unmatched, peerless, and supreme in quality or achievement.
Example
The unparalleled beauty of the Taj Mahal amazes visitors.
B2 adjective /ʌnprəˈfɛʃ.ən.əl/

Unprofessional

Meaning
not conforming to the standards expected in a particular profession
Example
His unprofessional behavior led to his dismissal from the company.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈtʃælɪndʒd/

Unchallenged

Meaning
not disputed or questioned; accepted without opposition; having no rival
Example
He remained the unchallenged champion for five years.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈθɪŋkɪŋ/

unthinking

Meaning
done without careful thought; automatic or thoughtless
Example
His unthinking remark hurt her feelings.
B2 verb /ʌnˈfəʊld/

unfold

Meaning
to open or spread out something that was folded; to gradually reveal or develop
Example
She unfolded the letter carefully.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnprɪˈdɪktəbəl/

unpredictable

Meaning
not able to be predicted; changing suddenly and unexpectedly
Example
The weather in this region is highly unpredictable.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnəˈweər/

Unaware

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

unyielding

Meaning
Not easily broken or giving in to pressure.
Example
Her unyielding determination helped her overcome all challenges.
B1 verb /ʌnˈræp/

unwrap

Meaning
remove wrapping or covering from something; reveal something gradually or clearly
Example
She carefully unwrapped the gift with excitement.
B2 noun ˈjuːnəti

unity

Meaning
The state of being united or joined as a whole.
Example
Unity among people led to victory.
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.
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.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈmænɪdʒəbəl/

Unmanageable

Meaning
difficult or impossible to control or handle
Example
The large class became unmanageable without proper supervision.
A1 noun /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsɪti/

university

Meaning
an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees
Example
She is studying law at the university.
C1 verb /ʌnˈnɜːrv/

unnerve

Meaning
to make someone lose confidence, courage, or composure
Example
The hostile questions began to unnerve the witness.
B2 adjective /ˌʌndɪˈsaɪdɪd/

Undecided

Meaning
not having made a decision; uncertain
Example
She was undecided about which college to attend.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈjuː.nɪ.faɪd/

unified

Meaning
Made into a whole or joined together.
Example
A unified approach fosters better outcomes.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈwəʊntɪd/

unwonted

Meaning
Unusual, uncommon, or out of the ordinary.
Example
She spoke with an unwonted gentleness that surprised everyone.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnrɪˈzɒlvd/

unresolved

Meaning
not solved or settled; remaining undecided or unclear
Example
The dispute remains unresolved despite several meetings.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈkaɪnd/

Unkind

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