U Flashcards
ubiquitous
adj. being everywhere simultaneously; widespread
Hydrogen is ubiquitous in the universe.
ulterior
adj. unstated; situated beyond
The country has an ulterior motive for invading its neighbor.
ultimate
adj. final
No one knows for sure what the ultimate fate of the universe will be.
umbrage
n. offense, resentment
The writer is quick to take umbrage at criticism of her work.
unadulterated
adj. absolutely pure
The mountain spring contains unadulterated water.
unambiguous
adj. clear; not uncertain
The court refuses to take an unambiguous stand on the issue.
unanimity
n. state of total agreement or unity
The jury couldn’t reach unanimity on a verdict.
unappealing
adj. unattractive, unpleasant
Pollution makes the city an unappealing place to live.
unassailable
adj. not open to attack or question
The essay’s main argument is unassailable.
unavailing
adj. hopeless, useless
Efforts to rescue the captured soldier were unavailing.
unbiased
adj. impartial
The commission was asked to give an unbiased report on the issue.
uncanny
adj. mysterious; strange
Joe has an uncanny ability to guess the correct answer to multiple-choice questions.
unconscionable
adj. unscrupulous; shockingly unfair or unjust
The protestors believe that it is unconscionable that only males must register for the draft.
unctuous
adj. greasy, oily; smug and falsely earnest
The unctuous salesman said we were the nicest folks he had ever met.
undaunted
adj. not discouraged
The coach is undaunted despite the fact that his team hasn’t won a game yet this season.
undefiled
adj. not corrupted or contaminated
The coach is undaunted despite the fact that his team hasn’t won a game yet this season.
undefiled
adj. not corrupted or contaminated
The saint is undefiled by sin.
undermine
v. to weaken
The lawyer’s case was undermined by weak evidence.
understatement
n. a restrained statement
“War is unpleasant” is an understatement.
undifferentiated
adj. not distinguished from something else
I couldn’t hear her in the undifferentiated hubbub of voices.
undocumented
adj. not certified, unsubstantiated
Only one case of the disease has been reported, and that is undocumented.
undulating
adj. moving in waves
The sailor rowed across the sea’s undulating surface.
unequivocal
adj. absolute, certain
The judge asked the witness for an unequivocal statement.
unfathomable
adj. incomprehensible; impenetrable
The reason he committed the crime is unfathomable to me.
unfeigned
adj. not false; not made up; genuine
Everyone enjoyed the look of unfeigned surprise on the child’s face when he opened the present.
unfetter
v. set free
The prisoner promised that if he was unfettered he wouldn’t try to escape.
unfrock
v. to strip of priestly duties
The priest was unfrocked for improper conduct.
ungainly
adj. lacking grace; clumsy; unwieldy
The airplane looks ungainly on the ground, but it’s graceful in the air.
unheralded
adj. unannounced, unexpected, not publicized
The president’s arrival in the town was unheralded.
uniformity
n. sameness; lack of variation
Scientists believe that there is uniformity in the laws of nature.
unimpeachable
adj. beyond question
The reporter got her information from an unimpeachable source.
unimpeded
ad. not obstructed
If you take the new road, your journey will be unimpeded.
uninhibited
adj. unrepressed
The children’s uninhibited laughter could be heard all throughout the school.
uninitiated
n. people who are not familiar with an area of study
To the uninitiated, computer programming can seem frighteningly complex.
unique
adj. one of a kind
This author is the only person to have taken that unique approach to the subject.
universal
adj. characterizing or affecting all; present everywhere
Fear of death is universal.
unmitigated
adj. not lessened or moderated in intensity; without qualification
The unmitigated horrors of the war he saw action in turned Bill against war for any cause.
unobtrusive
adj. inconspicuous; not obvious
Our houseguest is unobtrusive.
unorthodox
adj. breaking with tradition
The new school takes an unorthodox approach to education.
unpalatable
adj. distasteful; disagreeable
Most people find the idea of child soldiers unpalatable.
unprecedented
adj. not seen before; original
There was an unprecedented increase in economic growth last year.
unrequited
adj. not reciprocated
In Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Malvolio’s love for Olivia is unrequited.
unscathed
adj. unharmed
The soldier came through the war unscathed.
unscupulous
adj. dishonest
The millionaire obtained her wealth by unscrupulous means.
unsolicited
adj. not requested
The magazine does not publish unsolicited manuscripts.
unsullied
adj. undefiled; untainted
The president completed his term unsullied by charges of corruption.
untainted
adj. not polluted or contaminated
The new administration is untainted by corruption.
untenable
adj. indefensible
The plan to invade the country is militarily untenable.
untoward
adj. not favorable; troublesome; adverse; unruly
Although he was concerned about the malfunctioning engine, the airline pilot acted as though nothing untoward had happened.
untrammeled
adj. not limited or restricted
No country allows its citizens untrammeled freedom.
unwarranted
adj. unjustified; groundless; undeserved
Many people believe that the draft is an unwarranted restriction of the human rights of males.
unwitting
adj. unconscious; unintentional
The unwitting suspect was captured when he was strolling in the park.
unyielding
adj. firm, resolute
The president is unyielding in his determination to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
upbraid
v. to scold sharply
The soldier was upbraided by her commander for not carrying out orders properly.
uproarious
adj. loud and forceful
The uproarious comedy had everyone laughing loudly.
urban
adj. related to a city
In World War II urban areas of Germany were heavily bombed.
urbane
adj. refined, sophisticated, suave
The writer’s urbane humor is not appreciated by everyone.
usurp
v. to seize by force
Paths intended for pedestrians are being usurped by cyclists.
usury
n. practice of lending money at exorbitant rates
The credit card company was accused of usury because it charges 22% interest per year.
utilitarian
adj. concerned with usefulness rather than beauty
To some people a car is strictly a utilitarian vehicle.
utopia
n. perfect place
The novel portrays a utopia based on moral ideals.
utopian
adj. visionary; referring to a utopia, that is, a perfect place; ideal but impracticable
The plan to provide free medical coverage for everyone was criticized as utopian.
