Year 4 · free for everyone

Foundation vocabulary

Everyday words used well: the solid base every 11+ child needs before the harder lists. Each word has a meaning written for children, a similar word and an opposite. Every word on this list is free.

Quick quiz

Ten questions from the Foundation level in the 11+ styles: closest meaning, opposites, odd one out, words in context and missing words. Marked straight away, with explanations. No account needed.

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Printables

A word list (word, meaning, similar word and example) and a matching worksheet with answers. Free account needed: it takes a minute.

Word list (PDF) Matching worksheet (PDF)

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30 words starting with U

ugly
adj.
not nice to look at
Similar:
hideous
Opposite:
attractive
unbutton
verb
to open clothing by pushing the buttons out of their holes
Similar:
open
Opposite:
button
uncertain
adj.
not sure or not known for definite
Similar:
doubtful
Opposite:
certain
unclear
adj.
not easy to understand, see or hear
Similar:
confusing
Opposite:
clear
undo
verb
to open or loosen something that is tied or fastened
Similar:
loosen
Opposite:
do up
undress
verb
to take off your clothes
Similar:
disrobe
Opposite:
dress
uneven
adj.
not flat, smooth or level
Similar:
bumpy
Opposite:
even
unfair
adj.
not treating people equally or in the right way
Similar:
biased
Opposite:
fair
unfold
verb
to open out something that was folded
Similar:
open
Opposite:
fold
unfriendly
adj.
not kind or welcoming towards other people
Similar:
cold
Opposite:
friendly
unhappy
adj.
sad and not feeling cheerful
Similar:
glum
Opposite:
cheerful
unhealthy
adj.
not good for your body, or not well
Similar:
harmful
Opposite:
healthy
unkind
adj.
not nice or caring, and likely to upset other people
Similar:
cruel
Opposite:
caring
unknown
adj.
not known about or not familiar
Similar:
mysterious
Opposite:
familiar
unload
verb
to take things out of a car, lorry or container
Similar:
empty
Opposite:
load
unlock
verb
to open something that is fastened, usually with a key or code
Similar:
open
Opposite:
fasten
unlucky
adj.
having bad things happen to you by chance
Similar:
hapless
Opposite:
fortunate
unpack
verb
to take things out of a bag, box or suitcase
Similar:
empty
Opposite:
load
unseen
adj.
not noticed or looked at by anyone
Similar:
hidden
Opposite:
noticed
untidy
adj.
messy and not neat or in order
Similar:
cluttered
Opposite:
neat
untie
verb
to undo a knot or bow, or set free something tied up
Similar:
loosen
Opposite:
fasten
until
prep.
up to a certain time, and then stopping
Similar:
till
untrue
adj.
false or not correct
Similar:
false
Opposite:
accurate
unusual
adj.
not normal or common; different from what you expect
Similar:
odd
Opposite:
common
unwanted
adj.
not needed or wished for by anyone
Similar:
surplus
Opposite:
needed
unwell
adj.
feeling ill or not healthy
Similar:
ill
Opposite:
healthy
unwise
adj.
not sensible; likely to cause problems
Similar:
foolish
Opposite:
sensible
unzip
verb
to open something by pulling its zip apart
Similar:
open
Opposite:
fasten
upset
adj.
unhappy, worried or disappointed about something
Similar:
distressed
Opposite:
calm
usual
adj.
normal, or what happens most of the time
Similar:
normal
Opposite:
rare