Usefulness
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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 adjective /ˌʌnpriːpəˈzɛsɪŋ/

unprepossessing

Meaning
not attractive or appealing in appearance
Example
Despite his unprepossessing looks, he was very kind and intelligent.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnkənˈvɪnsɪŋ/

Unconvincing

Meaning
failing to persuade or impress; not believable or credible
Example
His excuse for being late was completely unconvincing.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈiːvən/

Uneven

Meaning
not level or smooth; not regular or consistent
Example
The road was uneven and full of potholes.
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.
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.
B2 verb /ˌʌndərˈɡoʊ/

undergo

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

Untold

Meaning
very great in amount or degree; countless; immeasurable
Example
The earthquake caused untold damage to the city.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈklɪər/

unclear

Meaning
not easy to understand; vague or ambiguous
Example
The instructions were unclear, so I asked for clarification.
B2 adjective /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsəl/

Universal

Meaning
applicable to all cases; existing everywhere
Example
Music is a universal language that everyone understands.
B1 adjective /ˌʌnbɪˈliːvəbəl/

Unbelievable

Meaning
impossible to believe; extremely surprising or remarkable
Example
The magician's performance was absolutely unbelievable.
C2 verb /ˌʌndərˈɡɜːrd/

undergird

Meaning
to provide support or foundation for; to strengthen
Example
Strong values undergird a healthy society.
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.
B1 adjective /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪd/

Unexpected

Meaning
not expected or anticipated; surprising
Example
The unexpected news left everyone speechless.
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.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈlaɪkli/

Unlikely

Meaning
not likely to happen; improbable
Example
It's unlikely to rain today with such clear skies.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈnoʊn/

Unknown

Meaning
not known or identified; unfamiliar
Example
The author of this letter remains unknown.
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 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.
A2 adjective /ʌnˈlʌki/

Unlucky

Meaning
having bad luck; unfortunate
Example
He was unlucky to miss the winning shot.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnəˈteɪnəbl/

unattainable

Meaning
impossible to achieve, reach, or accomplish
Example
For many, becoming a professional athlete remains an unattainable dream.
C1 verb /ˌʌn.dəˈtʃɑːrdʒ/

undercharge

Meaning
To charge less than the correct or fair amount.
Example
The shopkeeper accidentally undercharged me for the groceries.
B2 noun /ˈʌndərˌteɪkɪŋ/

undertaking

Meaning
A task, project, or responsibility that someone agrees to do.
Example
Starting a new company is a difficult undertaking.
B2 verb /ʌnˈkʌvə(r)/

uncover

Meaning
to reveal something that was hidden or secret
Example
The investigation uncovered new evidence.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnəˈsjuːmɪŋ/

unassuming

Meaning
Not pretentious or arrogant; modest.
Example
Despite his success, he remained unassuming and humble.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈʌtərəbl/

unutterable

Meaning
Too great, intense, or awful to be expressed or described in words.
Example
She was filled with unutterable joy at the news of her success.
C1 noun /juːnəˈnɪməti/

Unanimity

Meaning
complete agreement among all members of a group
Example
The committee reached unanimity on the new policy.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnɪnˈtenʃənəl/

Unintentional

Meaning
not done on purpose; accidental
Example
The damage to the car was unintentional.
B2 adjective /ˌʌndɪˈsaɪdɪd/

Undecided

Meaning
not having made a decision; uncertain
Example
She was undecided about which college to attend.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsteɪtɪd/

unstated

Meaning
not expressed directly in words; implied or left unsaid
Example
The contract included several unstated expectations.
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 /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.
C1 noun /ˌʌnbɪˈliːf/

Unbelief

Meaning
lack of religious belief; skepticism or doubt
Example
His unbelief in the supernatural made him a skeptic.
A2 adjective /ʌnˈkʌmf.tə.bəl/

Uncomfortable

Meaning
causing or feeling slight pain or physical discomfort; making someone feel embarrassed, awkward, or anxious
Example
The chair was so uncomfortable that I couldn't sit in it for more than ten minutes.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈʃeɪkən/

Unshaken

Meaning
not disturbed or affected; firm and steady; unwavering
Example
Her faith remained unshaken despite all the challenges.
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 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.
B1 verb /ʌnˈræp/

unwrap

Meaning
remove wrapping or covering from something; reveal something gradually or clearly
Example
She carefully unwrapped the gift with excitement.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈtɛnəbl/

untenable

Meaning
not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection
Example
The politician resigned when his position became untenable.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnəˈfɪʃ.əl/

Unofficial

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

usufruct

Meaning
The legal right to use and enjoy the benefits of someone else’s property without owning it.
Example
The tenant had the usufruct of the land but not its ownership.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈsteɪbəl/

Unstable

Meaning
likely to change; not steady or secure; unsteady
Example
The unstable economy made people worried about their jobs.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsəʊʃəbl/

unsociable

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

unforeseen

Meaning
Not anticipated or predicted; unexpected.
Example
The project faced unforeseen challenges that delayed its completion.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈθɪŋkɪŋ/

unthinking

Meaning
done without careful thought; automatic or thoughtless
Example
His unthinking remark hurt her feelings.
B2 adjective /ˈʌt.ɚ/

Utter

Meaning
complete; absolute; total
Example
The movie was an utter disaster at the box office.
A2 adjective /ʌnˈhæp.i/

Unhappy

Meaning
not happy; feeling sad or displeased; unfortunate or undesirable
Example
He was unhappy with the results of his exam.
C2 verb /ˈʌndərˌmæn/

underman

Meaning
to supply with fewer workers or personnel than needed
Example
The hospital was undermanned during the flu outbreak.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnsəˈfɪstɪˌkeɪtɪd/

unsophisticated

Meaning
Lacking worldly experience, refinement, or complexity.
Example
The villagers led an unsophisticated but happy life.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈfeɪnd/

unfeigned

Meaning
genuine; not pretended or insincere
Example
She expressed unfeigned joy at her friend's success.
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 /ʌnˈwɪl.ɪŋ/

Unwilling

Meaning
not ready to do something; reluctant; not wanting to do
Example
He was unwilling to share his secret with anyone.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈvaɪəbl/

unviable

Meaning
Not capable of working successfully; not feasible or practical.
Example
The project was deemed unviable due to high costs.
A2 adjective /ʌnˈtaɪdi/

Untidy

Meaning
not neat or orderly; messy and disorganized
Example
Her untidy room was filled with clothes scattered everywhere.
C1 verb /ˌʌndərˈvæljuː/

undervalue

Meaning
To assign too low a value or importance to something or someone.
Example
She felt that her boss consistently undervalued her contributions.
C1 noun /ˈʌp.rɔːr/

Uproar

Meaning
a loud and emotional noise or disturbance; public outcry
Example
The announcement caused an uproar among the students.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈlɔːfl/

Unlawful

Meaning
not authorized by law; illegal
Example
The court declared the search unlawful.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈbraɪdld/

unbridled

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

ubiquitous

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

unsightly

Meaning
Unpleasant to look at; ugly.
Example
The garbage pile created an unsightly view in the park.
C1 noun /ˈʌp.ʃɒt/

Upshot

Meaning
the final result or outcome of a series of events; conclusion
Example
The upshot of the meeting was a decision to postpone the project.
C1 verb /ʌnˈnɜːrv/

unnerve

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

unchanging

Meaning
remaining the same over time; not changing
Example
Her love for her family was unchanging throughout the years.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈruːli/

Unruly

Meaning
difficult to control or manage; disorderly and disruptive
Example
The unruly crowd refused to follow the safety instructions.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈseɪvəri/

unsavory

Meaning
Disagreeable, unpleasant, or morally offensive.
Example
The politician was linked to an unsavory scandal.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈælɔɪd/

unalloyed

Meaning
Pure, complete, and not mixed with anything else.
Example
She felt unalloyed joy at the news of her success.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnˈkɔːrdɪneɪtɪd/

uncoordinated

Meaning
lacking coordination, not well-organized or clumsy in movement
Example
His movements were uncoordinated, making him prone to accidents.
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.
A1 verb /juːz/

use

Meaning
to employ something for a purpose; to take advantage of
Example
I use my computer for work and entertainment.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈlaɪk/

Unlike

Meaning
different from; not similar to
Example
Unlike his brother, he prefers quiet activities.
B2 noun /ʌnˈrest/

Unrest

Meaning
a state of dissatisfaction and disturbance; social or political disorder
Example
The economic crisis led to widespread social unrest.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnəkˈnɒlɪdʒd/

unacknowledged

Meaning
Not recognized, admitted, or accepted; ignored or unnoticed
Example
Her contributions to the project went unacknowledged.
B2 adverb /ˈʌltəmətli/

ultimately

Meaning
in the end, after everything else
Example
Ultimately, we decided to go ahead with the project.
B1 adjective /ʌnɪmˈplɔɪd/

Unemployed

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

unisonant

Meaning
Sounding together or in harmony.
Example
The unisonant voices created a powerful effect.
B2 adjective /ʌn.rɪˈleɪ.tɪd/

Unrelated

Meaning
having no connection or relationship; not connected by family ties
Example
The two incidents were completely unrelated to each other.
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 adjective /ʌnˈbæləns/

Unbalanced

Meaning
not balanced; lacking stability or equilibrium; mentally unstable
Example
The unbalanced table kept wobbling.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈberəbəl/

Unbearable

Meaning
too painful, annoying, or unpleasant to tolerate; impossible to endure
Example
The heat in the desert was unbearable.
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.
C2 adjective /ˌʌnɪmˈpiːtʃəbl/

unimpeachable

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

unaccountable

Meaning
Not able to be explained or justified.
Example
She felt an unaccountable fear as she entered the dark room.
C1 adjective /ˌjuːnɪˈlætərəl/

Unilateral

Meaning
one-sided; involving only one party
Example
The country made a unilateral decision to withdraw from the treaty.
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.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈblʌʃɪŋ/

Unblushing

Meaning
showing no shame or embarrassment; boldly shameless
Example
He told the unblushing lie without any hesitation.
C2 noun /ɜːrˈbænɪti/

urbanity

Meaning
refined courtesy, elegance, and sophistication in manner
Example
Her urbanity made her popular among diplomats and leaders.
C1 adjective ʌnˈjiːl.dɪŋ

unyielding

Meaning
Not easily broken or giving in to pressure.
Example
Her unyielding determination helped her overcome all challenges.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈendɪŋ/

Unending

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

unwavering

Meaning
Steady or resolute; not wavering.
Example
He showed unwavering dedication to his goal.
C1 adjective ʌnˈwɔːr.rən.tɪd

unwarranted

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

up-keep

Meaning
The process or cost of maintaining something in good condition.
Example
The upkeep of the old house is very expensive.
B2 noun /ˈʌndərkləʊðz/

underclothes

Meaning
Clothing worn beneath outer clothes, such as underwear or lingerie
Example
He folded his underclothes neatly before packing them.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈwaɪz/

unwise

Meaning
Showing poor judgment; not sensible or prudent.
Example
It would be unwise to invest all your money in one company.
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.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈduː/

Undue

Meaning
excessive; inappropriate; more than is necessary or proper
Example
The teacher complained about undue pressure from parents.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkʌltʃəd/

Uncultured

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

Unserviceable

Meaning
not in working order; unable to be used; defective
Example
The old computer became unserviceable after the system crash.
C2 verb /ˈʌndjʊleɪt/

undulate

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

unkindly

Meaning
in a cruel, harsh, or unsympathetic manner
Example
She spoke unkindly about her colleague during the meeting.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnəˈdɔːrnd/

unadorned

Meaning
Plain and simple; not decorated.
Example
The room was unadorned, with only a table and a chair.
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.
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.
C2 adjective /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/

ubiquitious

Meaning
Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
Example
Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society.
A1 adjective /ˈjuːs.fəl/

Useful

Meaning
having a beneficial purpose; practical
Example
This tool is very useful for fixing problems.
B1 preposition, adverb, adjective /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/

underneath

Meaning
Located directly below or beneath something
Example
The keys were hidden underneath the pile of papers.
C2 adjective /ʌnəˈpiːzd/

unappeased

Meaning
Not satisfied or calmed; still feeling discontent or anger
Example
Despite the apology, she remained unappeased.
B2 adjective /ˈʌpˌhɪl/

Uphill

Meaning
difficult; requiring great effort; sloping upward
Example
Learning a new language can be an uphill battle.
C1 adjective /ˌjuːnɪˈsɛljʊlər/

unicellular

Meaning
Consisting of a single cell.
Example
Amoebas are unicellular organisms.
C1 noun /ʌnkənˈsɜːrn/

Unconcern

Meaning
lack of worry or interest; indifference
Example
She showed complete unconcern about the criticism.
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 /ʌnˈdʒʌst/

Unjust

Meaning
not fair or right; morally wrong
Example
The punishment was unjust for such a minor offense.
B2 adjective /ˌʌndɪˈzaɪərəbl/

Undesirable

Meaning
not wanted or wished for; harmful or unpleasant
Example
The new policy had several undesirable consequences.
C1 noun /ˈʌndərˌwɜːrld/

underworld

Meaning
The criminal world of organized crime or the mythical world of the dead.
Example
The detective spent years studying the secrets of the underworld.