upset
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A2 verb /ʌpˈset/

upset

Meaning
to make someone worried, sad, or angry; to disturb
Example
The bad news upset everyone.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈspɛərɪŋ/

unsparing

Meaning
Showing no mercy or generosity; harsh or severe.
Example
The critic was unsparing in his review of the play.
A2 adjective /ˈjuːʒəl/

usual

Meaning
habitually or typically occurring or done
Example
It’s our usual meeting spot.
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 adjective /ˌʌnkɒnstɪˈtuːʃənəl/

Unconstitutional

Meaning
not in accordance with a political constitution; violating constitutional principles
Example
The court declared the new law unconstitutional.
C1 noun /ˈjuːnɪsən/

unison

Meaning
Simultaneous performance or utterance of action or speech.
Example
The choir sang in unison.
B2 adverb /ʌnˈfɛərli/

unfairly

Meaning
In a manner that is not just, reasonable, or impartial
Example
He was treated unfairly by the committee.
C2 adjective /ˈʌndjʊleɪtɪŋ/

undulating

Meaning
Having a smoothly rising and falling form or motion like waves.
Example
We drove through undulating hills.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈθɪŋkɪŋ/

unthinking

Meaning
done without careful thought; automatic or thoughtless
Example
His unthinking remark hurt her feelings.
C2 verb /ʌnˈjoʊk/

unyoke

Meaning
To release from a yoke or to free from restraint or obligation.
Example
The farmer unyoked the oxen after a long day of work.
A1 verb /juːz/

use

Meaning
to employ something for a purpose; to take advantage of
Example
I use my computer for work and entertainment.
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 /ʌnˈjuzd/

Unused

Meaning
not being used; not having been used before
Example
There are many unused rooms in this old mansion.
A2 adjective /ʌnˈtaɪdi/

Untidy

Meaning
not neat or orderly; messy and disorganized
Example
Her untidy room was filled with clothes scattered everywhere.
B1 verb /ˈʌpˌɡreɪd/

upgrade

Meaning
to raise something to a higher standard, improve
Example
We decided to upgrade the software to the latest version.
B1 adjective /ˌʌnˈpeɪd/

Unpaid

Meaning
not paid for; without payment or salary
Example
She worked as an unpaid intern for six months.
C1 noun /ˈʌp.raɪt.nəs/

Uprightness

Meaning
the quality of being honest and morally correct; integrity
Example
His uprightness in business dealings earned him great respect.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnɪˈmædʒənəbəl/

Unimaginable

Meaning
impossible to conceive; beyond imagination
Example
The scale of destruction was unimaginable until we saw it firsthand.
C2 adjective /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/

ubiquitious

Meaning
Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
Example
Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society.
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.
C2 noun /ˈɜːrtʃɪn/

urchin

Meaning
a mischievous or poorly dressed child, often from the streets
Example
The ragged urchins played by the riverbank.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈrɪəl/

unreal

Meaning
not real or not based on reality; exaggerated or imaginary
Example
The experience felt unreal after the sudden news.
B2 verb /ˌʌndərˈskɔːr/

underscore

Meaning
to emphasize or highlight something
Example
The incident underscored the need for better safety measures.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈwel/

Unwell

Meaning
not in good health; feeling sick or ill
Example
She has been feeling unwell since yesterday.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈweɪ.vər.ɪŋ/

unwavering

Meaning
Steady or resolute; not wavering.
Example
He showed unwavering dedication to his goal.
C2 noun /ˈʌŋɡwənt/

unguent

Meaning
A soothing or healing ointment applied to the skin.
Example
The doctor applied an unguent to heal the burn.
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.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈprɒf.ɪ.tə.bl̩/

Unprofitable

Meaning
not yielding profit or gain; not producing financial benefit
Example
The unprofitable business was forced to close down after three years.
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 noun /ʌnkənˈsɜːrn/

Unconcern

Meaning
lack of worry or interest; indifference
Example
She showed complete unconcern about the criticism.
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 noun /juːˈtɪl.ə.ti/

Utility

Meaning
the state of being useful, profitable, or beneficial; a public service
Example
The utility of solar panels increases with rising electricity costs.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnfɔːrθˈkʌmɪŋ/

unforthcoming

Meaning
Not willing to talk or provide information; uncooperative.
Example
The witness was unforthcoming about what he had seen.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnfɔːrˈsiːn/

unforeseen

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

unflappable

Meaning
calm and composed, especially in difficult situations
Example
Despite the crisis, he remained unflappable and confident.
C1 adjective /ˌʌndərˈsaɪzd/

undersized

Meaning
Smaller than the usual or expected size.
Example
The undersized puppy struggled to keep up with its siblings.
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 adjective /ʌnˈwɪtɪŋ/

unwitting

Meaning
Not aware of what is happening; done without realizing.
Example
She became an unwitting participant in the scam.
A2 noun /ʌmˈbrɛlə/

umbrella

Meaning
A device used for protection against rain or sun, typically consisting of a collapsible canopy mounted on a central rod.
Example
She opened her umbrella as it started to rain.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkwaɪ.ət/

Unquiet

Meaning
restless; unable to remain still or quiet; anxious or troubled
Example
She spent an unquiet night worrying about the exam results.
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.
C1 adjective ʌnˈjiːl.dɪŋ

unyielding

Meaning
Not easily broken or giving in to pressure.
Example
Her unyielding determination helped her overcome all challenges.
A2 noun /ˌʌndərˈstændɪŋ/

understanding

Meaning
the ability to grasp the meaning, significance, or nature of something
Example
Her understanding of the issue was impressive.
C1 adjective ʌnɪnˈhæbɪtəbəl

uninhabitable

Meaning
Not suitable or safe for people to live in.
Example
Rapid urbanization can make cities uninhabitable.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈtɛmpərd/

untempered

Meaning
not moderated or softened; lacking proper balance or control
Example
The untempered anger of the crowd caused chaos.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈraɪp/

Unripe

Meaning
not fully developed or matured; not ready to be eaten
Example
The unripe bananas will turn yellow in a few days.
A1 verb /ˌʌndərˈstænd/

understand

Meaning
to know the meaning of something; to comprehend
Example
Do you understand the instructions?
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 /ʌnprəˈdʌk.tɪv/

Unproductive

Meaning
not achieving much; not producing good results
Example
The meeting was unproductive and wasted everyone's time.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈmɪtɪɡeɪtɪd/

unmitigated

Meaning
absolute; not lessened or moderated
Example
The meeting was an unmitigated disaster.
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.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈmærid/

unmarried

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

unscrupulous

Meaning
Having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair.
Example
Unscrupulous peers can lead adolescents to delinquency.
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.
C2 verb /ˈʌndjʊleɪt/

undulate

Meaning
To move with a smooth, wave-like motion.
Example
The snake undulated across the sand.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈɑːrmd/

unarmed

Meaning
Not equipped with or carrying weapons
Example
The police found the suspect unarmed during the search.
C1 noun /ʌpˈhiːvəl/

upheaval

Meaning
a violent or sudden change or disruption to something
Example
The company faced a major upheaval after the sudden resignation of its CEO.
B2 verb /ˌʌndərˈɡoʊ/

undergo

Meaning
to go through something, especially something unpleasant or difficult
Example
She had to undergo surgery to recover.
B2 adverb /ʌnˈnesəserəli/

Unnecessarily

Meaning
to a greater extent than is needed; without necessity
Example
Don't worry unnecessarily about the exam.
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.
B2 noun /ˈʌndərˌteɪkɪŋ/

undertaking

Meaning
A task, project, or responsibility that someone agrees to do.
Example
Starting a new company is a difficult undertaking.
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 adverb /ˈɜːrdʒəntli/

urgently

Meaning
in a way that requires immediate attention or action
Example
The patient urgently needs medical attention.
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.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈtru/

Untrue

Meaning
not true; false; incorrect
Example
His statement about the incident was completely untrue.
B1 noun /ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪmənt/

Unemployment

Meaning
the state of being unemployed; lack of paid work
Example
The unemployment rate has increased significantly this year.
C2 adjective /juːˈnɪsənənt/

unisonant

Meaning
Sounding together or in harmony.
Example
The unisonant voices created a powerful effect.
B1 adjective /ˌʌnɪmˈpɔːrtənt/

unimportant

Meaning
not having much value, significance, or influence
Example
The detail seemed unimportant compared to the main issue.
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.
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.
A2 noun /ˈʌndərwɛr/

Under wear

Meaning
clothing worn under other clothes, next to the skin
Example
She bought new underwear from the department store.
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.
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 noun /ʌnɪmˈpɔːrtəns/

unimportance

Meaning
the state or quality of being insignificant or not important
Example
He dismissed the issue with a sense of unimportance.
B2 adjective ʌnˈprɛsɪˌdɛntɪd

unprecedented

Meaning
Never done or known before; without previous example.
Example
Unprecedented advancements in science changed human lives.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈiːvən/

Uneven

Meaning
not level or smooth; not regular or consistent
Example
The road was uneven and full of potholes.
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.
C2 noun /ˌjuːzɜːrˈpeɪʃən/

usurpation

Meaning
The act of taking someone's power or property illegally or by force.
Example
The general's usurpation of the presidency led to political unrest.
C2 adjective /ɜːrˈbeɪn/

urbane

Meaning
showing polished manners, refinement, and sophistication
Example
He was an urbane gentleman who charmed everyone at the party.
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.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnkənˈvɪnsɪŋ/

Unconvincing

Meaning
failing to persuade or impress; not believable or credible
Example
His excuse for being late was completely unconvincing.
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.
A2 adjective /ˈʌɡ.li/

Ugly

Meaning
unpleasant or repulsive in appearance; morally reprehensible
Example
The old building looked ugly after years of neglect.
B1 adjective /juːˈnaɪtɪd/

United

Meaning
joined together for a common purpose; in agreement
Example
The team was united in their goal to win.
C2 adverb /ʌnˈɜːrɪŋli/

unerringly

Meaning
Without making any mistakes; always accurate
Example
The archer aimed unerringly at the target.
C1 adjective ʌnˈmætʃt

unmatched

Meaning
Not equaled or rivaled by any other; without equal.
Example
The freedom fighters showed unmatched bravery.
C1 adjective /ʌlˈtɪəriər/

ulterior

Meaning
hidden or secret, often with a selfish motive
Example
He invited her with an ulterior motive.
B2 noun /ˈjuː.sɪdʒ/

Usage

Meaning
the action of using something; the way in which words are used in a language
Example
The dictionary explains the correct usage of difficult words.
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.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈsiːn/

Unseen

Meaning
not previously seen or noticed; invisible; hidden
Example
The unseen forces of nature can be very powerful.
C1 adjective /ˌjuːtɪlɪˈtɛəriən/

utilitarian

Meaning
Designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive; relating to the doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority.
Example
The building had a simple utilitarian design.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈhɜːrt/

unhurt

Meaning
Not injured or harmed.
Example
She walked away from the accident unhurt.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈdʒʌst/

Unjust

Meaning
not fair or right; morally wrong
Example
The punishment was unjust for such a minor offense.
C2 noun /ˈʌm.brə/

Umbra

Meaning
the fully shaded inner region of a shadow cast by an opaque object; the dark center of a sunspot
Example
During the eclipse, we stood in the moon's umbra.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈkwɒl.ɪ.faɪd/

Unqualified

Meaning
not having the necessary skills or qualifications; complete or absolute
Example
He was unqualified for the engineering position due to lack of experience.
C2 noun juːˈbɪkwɪti

ubiquity

Meaning
The fact of appearing everywhere or of being very common.
Example
The ubiquity of smartphones has transformed communication.
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.
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 verb /ʌnˈɜːθ/

unearth

Meaning
To dig up from the ground or to discover something hidden.
Example
Archaeologists unearthed ancient artifacts at the site.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈseɪvəri/

unsavory

Meaning
Disagreeable, unpleasant, or morally offensive.
Example
The politician was linked to an unsavory scandal.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈlɪmɪtɪd/

unlimited

Meaning
without any limits or restrictions
Example
The internet plan offers unlimited data for the whole month.
C2 adjective /ˌʌnɪmˈpiːtʃəbl/

unimpeachable

Meaning
Not able to be doubted, questioned, or criticized; completely trustworthy.
Example
She is known for her unimpeachable honesty.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnəˈteɪnəbl/

unattainable

Meaning
impossible to achieve, reach, or accomplish
Example
For many, becoming a professional athlete remains an unattainable dream.
C1 adjective + noun ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd ˈnɒlɪdʒ

unprecedented knowledge

Meaning
Information or understanding that has never been obtained or achieved before.
Example
Artemis will provide unprecedented knowledge about the solar system.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈberəbəl/

Unbearable

Meaning
too painful, annoying, or unpleasant to tolerate; impossible to endure
Example
The heat in the desert was unbearable.
C1 verb /ʌnˈsɛtl/

unsettle

Meaning
To disturb or make someone feel anxious or uneasy.
Example
The sudden news unsettled the entire community.
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.
C2 verb /ʌnˈfɛtər/

unfetter

Meaning
to release from restraint or restriction; to free
Example
The new law will unfetter small businesses from excessive regulations.
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.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈplɛz.ənt/

Unpleasant

Meaning
not giving or causing pleasure; disagreeable
Example
The medicine had an unpleasant taste.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnˈɪntɪmeɪtɪŋ/

unintimating

Meaning
Not giving a hint or suggestion; not indicating.
Example
His unintimating tone gave no clue of his true feelings.
B1 adjective /ˌʌndərˈstændəbl/

understandable

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

underestimate

Meaning
To judge something as less important or smaller than it really is.
Example
Never underestimate the power of teamwork.
C1 adjective ʌnˈwɔːr.rən.tɪd

unwarranted

Meaning
Not justified or necessary; without good reason.
Example
His anger toward the staff was completely unwarranted.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈbiːtən/

Unbeaten

Meaning
not defeated; having never lost; undefeated
Example
The team remains unbeaten this season.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈɜːrθli/

unearthly

Meaning
Strange or unnatural in a way that seems not of this world
Example
The forest was filled with an unearthly glow.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈskɪld/

Unskilled

Meaning
lacking technical training or ability; not requiring special skills
Example
Many unskilled workers are looking for training opportunities.
B1 adjective /ˈʌpər/

upper

Meaning
higher in position or rank
Example
The upper floor of the building is under renovation.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈseɪf/

Unsafe

Meaning
involving or causing danger or risk; not protected from harm
Example
It is unsafe to walk alone in this neighborhood at night.
B2 adjective /ʌnprɪˈpɛrd/

Unprepared

Meaning
not ready or able to deal with something
Example
He was unprepared for the difficult exam.