Need a List of Verbs beyond basic words like go, make, and take? This A–Z collection includes 1,500+ English verbs for speaking, writing, school, and ESL learning.
Explore common, positive, negative, action, academic, science, medical, technology, rare, unusual, and advanced verbs. All verbs are organized from A to Z for quick vocabulary practice.
What Is a Verb?
A verb is a word that expresses an action, occurrence, process, condition, or state. Verbs are central to English sentences because they tell us what someone or something does, what happens, or what something is like.
Common categories include:
- Action verbs
- Linking verbs
- Helping verbs
- Transitive verbs
- Intransitive verbs
- Regular verbs
- Irregular verbs
- Phrasal verbs
- Modal verbs
- Stative verbs
- Dynamic verbs
- Academic verbs
- Scientific verbs
- Medical verbs
- Technology verbs
A Few Useful Verb Patterns
Base form: go
Past form: went
Past participle: gone
-ing form: going
Base form: write
Past form: wrote
Past participle: written
-ing form: writing
Verb Use in Sentences
- Action: The children played outside.
- State: She knows the answer.
- Linking: The soup smells delicious.
- Helping: They are working.
- Modal: You should study.
- Passive: The letter was delivered.
1500+ List of Verbs from A to Z
List of Verbs Beginning With A
Verbs beginning with A include many common action words as well as academic and advanced vocabulary.
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| abandon | abase | abate |
| abbreviate | abdicate | abduct |
| abide | abolish | absorb |
| abstain | abuse | accelerate |
| accentuate | accept | access |
| acclaim | accommodate | accompany |
| accomplish | accord | account |
| accumulate | accuse | ache |
| achieve | acknowledge | acquire |
| act | activate | adapt |
| add | address | adhere |
| adjust | administer | admire |
| admit | adopt | adore |
| adorn | advance | advertise |
| advise | advocate | affect |
| afford | aggravate | agitate |
| agree | aid | aim |
| alarm | alert | alienate |
| align | allege | alleviate |
| allocate | allow | alter |
| amaze | amend | amuse |
| analyze | anchor | anger |
| animate | announce | annoy |
| answer | anticipate | apologize |
| appeal | appear | applaud |
| apply | appoint | appreciate |
| approach | approve | argue |
| arise | arrange | arrest |
| arrive | articulate | ascend |
| ascertain | ask | assemble |
| assess | assign | assist |
| assume | assure | astonish |
| attach | attack | attain |
| attempt | attend | attract |
| audit | augment | authorize |
| avoid | await | awaken |
| award | axe | adapt |
Verbs Starting With B
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| babble | back | bake |
| balance | ban | bandage |
| bang | baptize | bargain |
| bathe | battle | beam |
| bear | beat | beautify |
| become | befriend | beg |
| begin | behave | behold |
| believe | belong | bend |
| benefit | betray | bid |
| bind | bite | blame |
| blast | bleed | bless |
| blind | blink | block |
| bloom | blow | blush |
| boast | boil | bolt |
| bomb | book | boost |
| bore | borrow | bother |
| bounce | bow | box |
| brake | branch | brand |
| break | breathe | breed |
| brighten | bring | broadcast |
| broaden | bruise | brush |
| bubble | build | bump |
| burn | burst | bury |
| buy | bypass | beckon |
| bewilder | blend | blossom |
| bolster | border | browse |
| buckle | budget | bundle |
| burden | bury | button |
Verbs That Start With C
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| calculate | call | calm |
| camp | cancel | capture |
| care | carry | carve |
| cause | celebrate | challenge |
| change | charge | chase |
| chat | cheat | check |
| cheer | chew | choose |
| chop | claim | clarify |
| classify | clean | clear |
| climb | cling | close |
| coach | collect | color |
| combine | comfort | command |
| communicate | compare | compel |
| compete | complain | complete |
| compose | comprehend | conceal |
| concentrate | conclude | conduct |
| confess | confirm | confuse |
| connect | conquer | consider |
| consist | construct | consult |
| consume | contain | continue |
| control | convert | convince |
| cook | cooperate | copy |
| correct | cough | count |
| cover | crack | crash |
| crawl | create | criticize |
| cross | crush | cry |
| cultivate | cure | curl |
| cycle | customize | categorize |
| caution | certify | circulate |
| cite | collaborate | collapse |
| combine | commemorate | compensate |
| complicate | concentrate | coordinate |
| correspond | crystallize | cultivate |
List of Verbs Begins With D
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| dance | dare | deal |
| debate | decide | declare |
| decline | decorate | decrease |
| dedicate | defend | define |
| delay | delight | deliver |
| demand | demonstrate | deny |
| depend | describe | deserve |
| design | destroy | detect |
| determine | develop | devote |
| diagnose | differ | dig |
| direct | disagree | disappear |
| discover | discuss | dislike |
| dismiss | display | distribute |
| disturb | dive | divide |
| do | dominate | donate |
| double | doubt | drag |
| drain | draw | dream |
| dress | drink | drive |
| drop | drown | dry |
| dust | dwell | damage |
| dazzle | decipher | decode |
| decompose | dedicate | deduce |
| defend | deform | delegate |
| derive | descend | designate |
| deteriorate | deviate | diminish |
| disclose | discriminate | dissolve |
| distort | diversify | document |
| draft | dramatize | duplicate |
| disable | disconnect | download |
Verbs Beginning With E
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| earn | ease | eat |
| echo | edit | educate |
| elect | elevate | eliminate |
| embarrass | embrace | emerge |
| emit | employ | empower |
| enable | enact | encourage |
| end | endorse | endure |
| enforce | engage | enhance |
| enjoy | enlighten | enrich |
| enter | entertain | escape |
| establish | estimate | evaluate |
| examine | exceed | exchange |
| excite | exclude | excuse |
| exercise | exist | expand |
| expect | explain | explode |
| explore | express | extend |
| extract | educate | embody |
| embody | embrace | encounter |
| encourage | encrypt | engineer |
| enlarge | enlist | ensure |
| enter | erase | erupt |
| escalate | evaporate | evolve |
| evoke | exaggerate | execute |
| exhibit | experiment | export |
| expose | extend | extinguish |
Verbs Starting With F
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| face | fade | fail |
| fancy | farm | fasten |
| fear | feed | feel |
| fight | fill | film |
| find | finish | fire |
| fit | fix | flash |
| flee | float | flood |
| flow | fly | fold |
| follow | force | forecast |
| forget | forgive | form |
| found | frame | free |
| freeze | frighten | fry |
| function | fund | furnish |
| fabricate | facilitate | factor |
| fertilize | fetch | filter |
| finalize | finance | flatten |
| flourish | fluctuate | focus |
| formulate | foster | fragment |
| frustrate | fulfill | fascinate |
| feature | fertilize | flicker |
| flourish | forecast | fortify |
| formulate | fracture | frequent |
| fuel | fluctuate | fulfill |
Verbs That Start With G
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| gain | gamble | gather |
| gaze | generate | get |
| giggle | give | glance |
| glow | glue | go |
| govern | grab | graduate |
| grant | grasp | greet |
| grin | grind | grip |
| groan | grow | guarantee |
| guard | guess | guide |
| guarantee | galvanize | garnish |
| gather | generalize | gesture |
| glide | glitter | glorify |
| grapple | gravitate | greet |
| grieve | groom | growl |
| gulp | generate | germinate |
| govern | graduate | graph |
| ground | group | guarantee |
Verbs Beginning With H
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| hack | hail | hammer |
| hand | handle | hang |
| happen | harm | harvest |
| hate | haunt | have |
| heal | hear | heat |
| help | hesitate | hide |
| highlight | hike | hinder |
| hint | hire | hit |
| hold | honor | hope |
| host | hover | hug |
| hum | hunt | hurry |
| hypnotize | hypothesize | harmonize |
| harness | head | headline |
| heighten | identify | heal |
| house | hover | hydrate |
| hush | harden | hatch |
| heal | heap | herald |
| host | humiliate | hunt |
Verbs Starting With I
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| identify | ignore | imagine |
| imitate | immerse | impact |
| impair | impart | implement |
| imply | import | impress |
| improve | include | increase |
| indicate | induce | influence |
| inform | inherit | initiate |
| inject | injure | innovate |
| inspect | inspire | install |
| instruct | insure | integrate |
| intend | intensify | interact |
| interfere | interpret | interrupt |
| introduce | invent | invest |
| investigate | invite | involve |
| isolate | issue | irritate |
| illuminate | illustrate | immobilize |
| immunize | impose | imprison |
| incubate | incorporate | incubate |
| infect | inflate | infuse |
| inhale | inhibit | innovate |
| inquire | insert | insist |
| institute | insure | intensify |
Verbs That Start With J
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| jab | jail | jam |
| jog | join | joke |
| judge | juggle | jump |
| justify | jeopardize | jolt |
| journey | journal | jeer |
| jingle | jerk | jubilate |
| juice | justify | jack |
| jazz | jostle | jet |
| join | joke | judge |
Verbs Beginning With K
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| keep | kick | kid |
| kill | kiss | kneel |
| knit | knock | know |
| kayak | kindle | knead |
| kidnap | kite | key |
| kickstart | kowtow | krill |
| kindle | knot | knuckle |
| kennel | keyboard | knife |
Verbs Starting With L
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| label | lack | lament |
| land | last | laugh |
| launch | lead | learn |
| leave | lend | lessen |
| let | level | license |
| lift | light | like |
| limit | link | listen |
| live | load | locate |
| lock | long | look |
| love | lower | lure |
| lack | legalize | legitimize |
| liberate | lighten | linger |
| liquidate | locate | lodge |
| log | loosen | lubricate |
| lure | lecture | leak |
| lean | leap | lengthen |
| lessen | linger | localize |
| lobby | locate | loop |
Verbs That Start With M
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| magnify | maintain | make |
| manage | manipulate | manufacture |
| march | mark | marry |
| master | matter | maximize |
| mean | measure | meet |
| melt | memorize | mention |
| merge | migrate | mind |
| minimize | miss | mix |
| modify | monitor | motivate |
| move | multiply | murder |
| maintain | manifest | manufacture |
| meditate | mend | mentor |
| mimic | mislead | misinterpret |
| mobilize | moderate | modernize |
| motivate | mount | mourn |
| multiply | mutate | magnetize |
| map | massage | mature |
| memorize | merchandise | migrate |
| misjudge | motivate | murmur |
Verbs Beginning With N
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| name | narrate | navigate |
| need | neglect | negotiate |
| neutralize | nominate | notice |
| notify | nourish | number |
| nurture | narrow | naturalize |
| necessitate | network | nod |
| normalize | note | nullify |
| nurture | negotiate | neutralize |
| nickname | nudge | nurse |
| nap | nest | nip |
| notch | notify | nurture |
| navigate | neutralize | nominate |
Verbs Starting With O
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| obey | object | observe |
| obtain | occupy | occur |
| offend | offer | open |
| operate | oppose | order |
| organize | originate | overcome |
| overlook | owe | own |
| outline | outnumber | outrun |
| outsource | overflow | overtake |
| overturn | overuse | optimize |
| omit | oppose | orchestrate |
| orient | oscillate | overestimate |
| overreact | overwhelm | overheat |
| overcharge | overcook | overdo |
| overgrow | overhang | overpay |
| overproduce | overrule | oversimplify |
| overstate | overwork | oxidize |
Verbs That Start With P
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| pack | paint | participate |
| pass | paste | pause |
| pay | perform | permit |
| persuade | phone | pick |
| place | plan | plant |
| play | please | plug |
| point | polish | possess |
| post | pour | practice |
| praise | pray | predict |
| prefer | prepare | prescribe |
| present | preserve | press |
| pretend | prevent | print |
| produce | progress | promise |
| promote | pronounce | protect |
| prove | provide | publish |
| purchase | pursue | push |
| puzzle | patrol | perceive |
| perfect | personalize | photograph |
| pioneer | pitch | predict |
| prioritize | process | program |
| project | prolong | pronounce |
| propel | propose | prosper |
| provoke | purify | punish |
Verbs Beginning With Q
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| qualify | quantify | question |
| queue | quit | quote |
| quench | query | quarrel |
| quake | quicken | quiet |
| quiver | quiz | quadruple |
| quantify | quarantine | qualify |
| question | queue | quibble |
| quicken | quote | quell |
| quash | quaver | quantify |
Verbs Starting With R
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| race | radiate | raise |
| reach | react | read |
| realize | receive | recognize |
| recommend | record | recover |
| recruit | reduce | refer |
| reflect | refuse | regard |
| regret | relate | relax |
| release | rely | remain |
| remember | remind | remove |
| repair | repeat | replace |
| reply | report | represent |
| request | require | rescue |
| research | reserve | resist |
| resolve | respect | respond |
| restore | restrict | result |
| retain | retire | return |
| reveal | reverse | review |
| revise | ride | ring |
| rise | risk | roll |
| rotate | rub | ruin |
| rush | run | radiograph |
| rationalize | reassure | rebuild |
| reconsider | redesign | restructure |
| regenerate | rehabilitate | rejuvenate |
| replicate | reproduce | restructure |
Verbs That Start With S
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| sail | satisfy | save |
| say | scan | scare |
| schedule | search | see |
| seek | select | sell |
| send | separate | serve |
| settle | shake | share |
| sharpen | shave | shine |
| shoot | shop | shout |
| show | shrink | shut |
| sigh | sign | signal |
| sing | sink | sit |
| ski | skip | sleep |
| slide | smell | smile |
| solve | sort | sound |
| speak | spend | spin |
| split | spoil | spread |
| stand | start | state |
| stay | steal | step |
| stick | stimulate | stop |
| store | strengthen | stretch |
| strike | study | submit |
| succeed | suffer | suggest |
| supply | support | suppose |
| surprise | survive | suspect |
| sustain | switch | symbolize |
| synthesize | specialize | stabilize |
| sterilize | stimulate | strategize |
| structure | summarize | supervise |
| suppress | surround | surrender |
| simplify | socialize | specify |
Verbs Beginning With T
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| take | talk | taste |
| teach | tear | tease |
| tell | tempt | tend |
| terminate | test | thank |
| think | throw | tick |
| tie | tighten | time |
| tolerate | touch | tour |
| trace | track | trade |
| train | transfer | transform |
| translate | transport | travel |
| treat | tremble | trigger |
| trust | try | turn |
| type | tackle | target |
| tax | telephone | testify |
| threaten | thrive | thunder |
| tidy | tolerate | torture |
| tower | traffic | transact |
| transmit | treasure | triumph |
| troubleshoot | twist | typify |
| theorize | tokenize | total |
| trace | transcend | trigger |
| tutor | tailor | tame |
Verbs Starting With U
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| understand | undertake | undo |
| unfold | unite | unlock |
| unpack | update | upgrade |
| upload | urge | use |
| utilize | utter | uncover |
| undergo | underline | undermine |
| uninstall | unload | unlock |
| unplug | unwrap | upset |
| urbanize | urge | usher |
| utilize | universalize | underestimate |
| underestimate | understate | underwrite |
| overuse | uphold | uphold |
| uproot | upset | usher |
| usurp | utter | utilize |
Verbs That Start With V
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| validate | value | vanish |
| vary | verify | visit |
| visualize | volunteer | vote |
| vow | vacate | vaccinate |
| vacillate | vacuum | veil |
| venture | verbalize | vibrate |
| victimize | violate | visit |
| voice | vomit | voyage |
| vitalize | visualize | volunteer |
| validate | vaporize | ventilate |
| venture | version | veto |
| vibrate | vindicate | violate |
| vocalize | volunteer | vary |
Verbs Beginning With W
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| wait | wake | walk |
| wander | want | warm |
| warn | wash | watch |
| water | wave | wear |
| weave | weigh | welcome |
| whisper | whistle | win |
| wink | wipe | wish |
| withdraw | withstand | wonder |
| work | worry | wrap |
| wreck | wrestle | write |
| worsen | worship | wound |
| waste | wave | weaken |
| widen | wield | weld |
| wheeze | whip | whirl |
| widen | withdraw | withhold |
| withstand | witness | wonder |
| workshop | worry | wriggle |
| wrinkle | wrest | write |
Verbs Starting With X
English has very few verbs beginning with X. Many are technical or specialized.
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| x-ray | xerox | xerograph |
| xeriscape | xenograft | xenotransplant |
| xenograft | xylograph | xylotomize |
| xylotomize | xerograph | xerox |
Verbs That Start With Y
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| yawn | yell | yield |
| yearn | yodel | yank |
| yap | yoke | yolk |
| yellow | yarn | yelp |
| yard | youthen | yearly |
| yoke | yield | yawn |
Verbs Beginning With Z
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| zap | zero | zigzag |
| zip | zoom | zone |
| zombify | zinc | zing |
| zoom | zonk | zhoosh |
| zigzag | zip | zombify |
| zonate | zinc | zero |
Common Verbs in English
These are among the verbs learners encounter frequently in everyday English, conversations, school texts, instructions, and general writing.
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| be | have | do |
| say | go | can |
| get | make | know |
| think | take | see |
| come | want | look |
| use | find | give |
| tell | work | call |
| try | ask | need |
| feel | become | leave |
| put | mean | keep |
| let | begin | seem |
| help | talk | turn |
| start | show | hear |
| play | run | move |
| like | live | believe |
| hold | bring | happen |
| write | provide | sit |
| stand | lose | pay |
| meet | include | continue |
| set | learn | change |
| lead | understand | watch |
| follow | stop | create |
| speak | read | allow |
| add | spend | grow |
| open | walk | win |
| offer | remember | love |
| consider | appear | buy |
| wait | serve | die |
List of Positive Verbs
Positive verbs can communicate helpful actions, achievement, kindness, progress, cooperation, confidence, and constructive behavior.
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| achieve | admire | appreciate |
| assist | encourage | celebrate |
| cooperate | create | develop |
| improve | inspire | motivate |
| support | trust | respect |
| forgive | help | comfort |
| protect | rescue | welcome |
| succeed | prosper | flourish |
| strengthen | empower | uplift |
| contribute | volunteer | donate |
| nurture | care | cherish |
| praise | reward | honor |
| encourage | reassure | reassure |
| advance | accomplish | excel |
| learn | grow | overcome |
| innovate | discover | explore |
| share | unite | reconcile |
| heal | restore | renew |
| enrich | brighten | delight |
List of Negative Verbs
Negative verbs can describe harmful actions, disagreement, damage, failure, conflict, rejection, or undesirable behavior.
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| abandon | abuse | accuse |
| attack | betray | blame |
| bully | cheat | deceive |
| damage | destroy | disappoint |
| discourage | dislike | disrupt |
| doubt | fail | frighten |
| hate | harm | ignore |
| insult | interrupt | lie |
| manipulate | neglect | oppose |
| offend | reject | ruin |
| steal | threaten | tolerate |
| waste | weaken | wound |
| annoy | anger | deceive |
| deny | destroy | disturb |
| exploit | frustrate | hinder |
| mislead | misuse | provoke |
| punish | refuse | resist |
| sabotage | separate | suspect |
Advanced and Unique Verbs
Advanced verbs can make academic writing, professional communication, literature, and formal descriptions more precise.
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| abrogate | ameliorate | annihilate |
| appease | ascertain | circumvent |
| corroborate | disseminate | elucidate |
| exacerbate | facilitate | formulate |
| galvanize | hypothesize | implement |
| juxtapose | legitimize | mitigate |
| necessitate | corroborate | perpetuate |
| substantiate | scrutinize | transcend |
| undermine | validate | articulate |
| assimilate | consolidate | delineate |
| differentiate | extrapolate | infer |
| instigate | juxtapose | rationalize |
| reconcile | rectify | reinforce |
| reiterate | scrutinize | synthesize |
| substantiate | theorize | utilize |
| circumvent | contravene | deconstruct |
| delineate | deviate | eradicate |
| exacerbate | exemplify | illuminate |
| perpetuate | proliferate | reciprocate |
| rejuvenate | restructure | synchronize |
| validate | vindicate | conceptualize |
Science and Medical Verbs
Science and medicine use specialized verbs to describe observation, measurement, diagnosis, treatment, biological processes, laboratory procedures, and research.
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| absorb | activate | analyze |
| anesthetize | aspirate | biopsy |
| calculate | calibrate | classify |
| clone | culture | diagnose |
| dissect | detect | differentiate |
| dilute | examine | extract |
| fertilize | filter | incubate |
| infect | inject | isolate |
| measure | metabolize | mutate |
| observe | operate | palpate |
| prescribe | prevent | process |
| radiate | recover | replicate |
| research | screen | stimulate |
| sterilize | synthesize | treat |
| vaccinate | ventilate | verify |
| visualize | coagulate | crystallize |
| dehydrate | evaporate | ferment |
| hydrate | inoculate | irradiate |
| oxidize | precipitate | react |
| regenerate | reproduce | secrete |
| sequence | separate | transplant |
| transmit | transform | diagnose |
| monitor | rehabilitate | resuscitate |
| quarantine | medicate | immunize |
Technology Verbs
Technology verbs appear in computing, software development, digital communication, cybersecurity, engineering, artificial intelligence, and online activities.
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| access | automate | backup |
| browse | calculate | code |
| compile | compress | configure |
| connect | debug | decode |
| decrypt | delete | deploy |
| download | edit | encrypt |
| execute | export | filter |
| format | generate | install |
| integrate | interface | launch |
| log | monitor | navigate |
| optimize | upload | program |
| reboot | record | refresh |
| render | scan | search |
| share | simulate | stream |
| synchronize | test | transmit |
| troubleshoot | update | upgrade |
| virtualize | visualize | zoom |
| archive | authenticate | clone |
| crawl | customize | digitize |
| encode | index | initialize |
| migrate | parse | patch |
| process | query | restore |
| scrape | script | secure |
| sort | store | track |
Academic Verbs
Academic verbs are useful in essays, reports, research papers, presentations, and formal explanations.
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| analyze | assess | argue |
| calculate | categorize | compare |
| conclude | define | demonstrate |
| describe | determine | discuss |
| evaluate | examine | explain |
| identify | illustrate | imply |
| indicate | interpret | investigate |
| justify | outline | propose |
| recommend | reflect | summarize |
| support | suggest | synthesize |
| theorize | verify | clarify |
| contrast | establish | estimate |
| formulate | infer | observe |
| predict | report | review |
| specify | state | substantiate |
List of Action Verbs
Action verbs clearly show physical or mental activity.
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| run | jump | walk |
| swim | climb | crawl |
| dance | sing | shout |
| throw | catch | kick |
| push | pull | lift |
| carry | drag | grab |
| write | draw | paint |
| read | study | think |
| build | break | cut |
| cook | wash | clean |
| drive | ride | fly |
| open | close | lock |
| shake | wave | point |
| smile | laugh | cry |
Verbs Used to Describe Someone
These verbs can describe how a person behaves, communicates, thinks, works, reacts, or interacts with others.
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| behave | communicate | cooperate |
| create | decide | explain |
| help | lead | listen |
| manage | motivate | observe |
| organize | persuade | plan |
| protect | question | react |
| respect | respond | solve |
| speak | support | teach |
| think | understand | volunteer |
| work | worry | smile |
| laugh | argue | complain |
| encourage | forgive | trust |
| care | share | compete |
| adapt | learn | improve |
| achieve | contribute | inspire |
| influence | negotiate | participate |
Verbs by Letter Length
Verb length can be useful when building vocabulary games, word puzzles, classroom activities, spelling exercises, and vocabulary worksheets.
Short Verbs
| 2–3 Letter Verbs | 2–3 Letter Verbs | 2–3 Letter Verbs |
|---|
| be | do | go |
| get | let | put |
| run | see | set |
| sit | try | use |
| win | add | ask |
| eat | fly | lie |
| pay | say | buy |
| cut | hit | hug |
| fix | mix | cry |
| dry | die | dig |
Four-Letter Verbs
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| bake | bear | beat |
| blow | boil | book |
| call | care | cook |
| copy | dare | deal |
| draw | drop | earn |
| fear | feel | fill |
| find | grow | hang |
| hear | help | hold |
| hope | jump | keep |
| know | lead | lend |
| like | live | look |
| love | make | mean |
| move | open | play |
| read | ride | save |
| sell | show | sing |
| sleep | speak | stop |
| talk | take | tell |
| turn | walk | want |
| wash | wear | work |
Five-Letter Verbs
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| admit | agree | allow |
| apply | argue | arise |
| avoid | begin | break |
| bring | build | catch |
| cause | check | claim |
| clean | close | count |
| cover | dance | dream |
| drive | enjoy | enter |
| exist | fight | force |
| guess | guide | hurry |
| laugh | learn | leave |
| limit | marry | match |
| offer | order | paint |
| peace | prove | raise |
| reach | reply | serve |
| share | smile | spend |
| start | teach | thank |
| throw | touch | train |
| trust | write | worry |
Long Verbs
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| accommodate | acknowledge | administer |
| authenticate | communicate | congratulate |
| demonstrate | differentiate | discriminate |
| electrify | exaggerate | experiment |
| facilitate | hypothesize | illuminate |
| investigate | manufacture | misinterpret |
| neutralize | participate | rehabilitate |
| reorganize | restructure | synchronize |
| troubleshoot | underestimate | universalize |
| conceptualize | decontaminate | decentralize |
| characterize | commemorate | commercialize |
| compartmentalize | constitutionalize | counterbalance |
| institutionalize | internationalize | professionalize |
Regular and Irregular Verbs
Regular verbs usually form their simple past and past participle with -ed, although spelling changes can occur.
Regular Verb Examples
| Base Verb | Past Form | Past Participle |
|---|
| walk | walked | walked |
| play | played | played |
| clean | cleaned | cleaned |
| open | opened | opened |
| watch | watched | watched |
| work | worked | worked |
| help | helped | helped |
| visit | visited | visited |
Irregular verbs do not follow one single past-tense pattern.
Irregular Verb Examples
| Base Verb | Past Form | Past Participle |
|---|
| go | went | gone |
| see | saw | seen |
| write | wrote | written |
| take | took | taken |
| eat | ate | eaten |
| speak | spoke | spoken |
| begin | began | begun |
| break | broke | broken |
| choose | chose | chosen |
| drive | drove | driven |
| give | gave | given |
| know | knew | known |
Helping Verbs List
Helping verbs work with main verbs to form tenses, questions, negatives, emphasis, and passive constructions.
| Helping Verb | Helping Verb | Helping Verb |
|---|
| be | am | is |
| are | was | were |
| being | been | have |
| has | had | do |
| does | did | can |
| could | may | might |
| must | shall | should |
| will | would | ought |
List of Modal Verbs
Modal verbs express ability, possibility, permission, advice, obligation, prediction, and willingness.
| Modal Verb | Modal Verb | Modal Verb |
|---|
| can | could | may |
| might | must | shall |
| should | will | would |
| ought | need | dare |
List of Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs combine a verb with one or more particles and often have meanings that differ from the main verb alone.
| Phrasal Verb | Phrasal Verb | Phrasal Verb |
|---|
| ask for | back up | break down |
| break in | break out | bring up |
| call off | carry on | check in |
| check out | come across | come back |
| come in | cut off | find out |
| get along | get away | get back |
| get up | give up | go on |
| grow up | look after | look for |
| look into | look out | look up |
| pick up | put away | put off |
| put on | run into | set up |
| take off | take over | turn down |
| turn on | turn off | work out |
Verbs for Communication
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| ask | answer | announce |
| argue | advise | apologize |
| explain | discuss | describe |
| mention | notify | inform |
| persuade | promise | question |
| recommend | reply | report |
| request | respond | state |
| suggest | tell | thank |
| warn | whisper | shout |
| communicate | clarify | confirm |
Verbs for Thinking and Learning
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| analyze | assume | believe |
| calculate | compare | comprehend |
| conclude | consider | decide |
| discover | examine | evaluate |
| understand | explain | imagine |
| infer | learn | memorize |
| notice | observe | predict |
| recognize | recall | reflect |
| remember | reason | research |
| solve | study | understand |
Verbs for Movement
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| advance | approach | arrive |
| climb | crawl | cross |
| depart | descend | drive |
| enter | escape | fall |
| fly | follow | go |
| jump | leave | march |
| move | pass | reach |
| return | rise | run |
| sail | slide | swim |
| travel | walk | wander |
Verbs for Feelings and Emotions
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| admire | adore | amaze |
| anger | annoy | appreciate |
| enjoy | fear | frighten |
| hate | hope | love |
| regret | relax | surprise |
| trust | worry | delight |
| disappoint | embarrass | encourage |
| excite | frustrate | inspire |
| irritate | please | satisfy |
| scare | shock | upset |
Verbs for Work and Business
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| advertise | advise | analyze |
| approve | arrange | budget |
| calculate | collaborate | compete |
| coordinate | delegate | deliver |
| develop | employ | evaluate |
| finance | hire | improve |
| invest | manage | market |
| negotiate | organize | produce |
| promote | purchase | recruit |
| report | schedule | sell |
| supervise | supply | trade |
| train | transport | target |
Verbs for Nature and the Environment
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| bloom | blossom | breathe |
| burn | circulate | decompose |
| evaporate | flow | freeze |
| germinate | grow | melt |
| pollinate | reproduce | sprout |
| survive | thrive | wither |
| erode | flood | rain |
| snow | thunder | warm |
| cool | dry | nourish |
| decay | fertilize | hydrate |
Verbs for Technology and the Internet
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| browse | click | download |
| upload | stream | search |
| scroll | swipe | tap |
| type | print | scan |
| copy | paste | delete |
| save | share | post |
| comment | message | subscribe |
| connect | disconnect | install |
| update | upgrade | configure |
| encrypt | decode | debug |
Rare and Unusual Verbs
Some English verbs are uncommon in everyday conversation but appear in literature, historical writing, specialist vocabulary, or advanced word collections.
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| abscond | accost | adumbrate |
| bedizen | belabor | besmirch |
| cajole | capitulate | carouse |
| cogitate | connive | contemn |
| declaim | demur | denigrate |
| efface | enervate | equivocate |
| excoriate | expatiate | flummox |
| gainsay | hector | inveigh |
| languish | lollygag | obfuscate |
| peregrinate | quibble | ruminate |
| soliloquize | tergiversate | vacillate |
| wheedle | whimper | wrangle |
| xerox | yodel | zombify |
Verbs With Multiple Meanings
Some very common English verbs have several meanings depending on context.
| Verb | Verb | Verb |
|---|
| break | bring | call |
| carry | catch | check |
| come | cut | draw |
| fall | get | give |
| go | hold | keep |
| leave | make | mean |
| pass | pick | play |
| run | set | take |
| turn | work | write |
For example, run can refer to physical movement, operating a machine, managing something, flowing liquid, or continuing for a period.
Take can describe receiving, carrying, choosing, consuming, traveling, requiring time, or accepting responsibility.
Set has an especially wide range of uses and meanings, making it one of the most flexible verbs in English.
Common Verb Confusions
- Lie means to recline, while lay normally requires an object.
- Borrow means to receive something temporarily; lend means to give something temporarily.
- Bring generally indicates movement toward a reference point; take generally indicates movement away.
- Say focuses on words; tell normally identifies the person receiving the information.
- Rise does not normally take a direct object; raise normally requires one.
How to Learn Verbs More Effectively
Instead of memorizing hundreds of isolated words, group verbs by function, context, or word family.
Useful learning groups:
- Everyday conversation
- School and education
- Work and business
- Science and medicine
- Technology
- Travel
- Feelings
- Communication
- Movement
- Nature
- Academic writing
Pay particular attention to irregular verbs because their past forms often need separate practice.
Verb combinations are also valuable. Learning phrases such as make a decision, take a break, give advice, and pay attention helps learners use verbs naturally.
FAQs About List of Verbs
What is a verb in English?
A verb is a word that expresses an action, state, occurrence, or process and normally forms the central part of a clause.
How many verbs are there in English?
English contains thousands of verbs, including common, technical, derived, phrasal, archaic, and specialized verbs.
What are the most common verbs in English?
Common verbs include be, have, do, go, get, make, know, think, take, see, come, want, and use.
What are positive verbs?
Positive verbs describe constructive actions or favorable behavior, such as help, support, encourage, achieve, create, and succeed.
What are negative verbs?
Negative verbs can describe harmful, undesirable, destructive, or hostile actions, such as harm, attack, deceive, reject, destroy, and insult.
What are advanced verbs?
Advanced verbs are less common or more precise vocabulary often used in academic, professional, literary, scientific, or formal contexts.
What are medical verbs?
Medical verbs describe clinical, biological, diagnostic, surgical, therapeutic, laboratory, and physiological processes.
What are technology verbs?
Technology verbs describe actions involving computers, software, networks, digital systems, websites, devices, and online platforms.
Conclusion
This List of Verbs provides a broad A–Z vocabulary resource for English learners, teachers, writers, students, and anyone building stronger word knowledge. From everyday verbs to advanced, positive, negative, scientific, medical, and technology vocabulary, the collection covers a wide range of English usage.
For stronger vocabulary development, learn verbs by letter, meaning, context, grammar pattern, and word family rather than memorizing isolated words. Regular practice with these categories can make English speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension more accurate and flexible.