1. List of the most common English verbs and their pronunciation

I created the English verbs list below to help you expand your vocabulary. Do not try to learn many words at once. Instead, try to remember a few and use them in a sentence. Click the audio icon to hear their pronunciation. See also our complete guide to the different types of verbs in English.

A
abandon

to leave someone or something behind permanently

The thief abandoned the car in the middle of the road.

accept

to agree to take something offered

The RSF has accepted the ceasefire proposed by the US.

achieve

to succeed in doing something after effort

He achieved his goal of becoming a doctor.

act

to do something or behave in a certain way

You must act quickly in an emergency.

add

to combine two or more things

Add sugar to the tea.

admire

to look up to someone or something with respect

I admire her honesty.

admit

to agree that something is true or correct

He admitted his mistake.

adopt

to take someone else’s child into your family legally

They adopted a baby girl from Korea.

advise

to recommend something or give guidance

The doctor advised him to rest.

affect

to influence or change something

The weather can affect your mood.

afford

to be able to pay for something

We can’t afford a new car.

agree

to have the same opinion as someone else

I don’t agree with you.

aim

to point or direct something at a target

He aimed the ball at the goal.

allow

to give permission for something

The teacher allowed them to leave early.

amuse

to make someone laugh or smile

The clown amused the children.

analyse

to examine something carefully in detail

They analysed the results of the experiment.

announce

to make something known publicly

She announced her retirement today.

answer

to respond to a question or situation

He didn’t answer my call.

apologise

to say sorry for something wrong or hurtful

She apologised for being late.

appear

to become visible or come into sight

A rainbow appeared after the rain.

apply

to make a formal request or put something into use

She applied for a job at the hospital.

argue

to speak angrily to someone because of disagreement

They argued about money.

arrange

to organise or plan something

He arranged a meeting for Friday.

arrive

to reach a place

We arrived at the airport on time.

ask

to request something or question someone

Can I ask you a question?

assume

to believe something is true without proof

I assumed he was telling the truth.

assure

to make someone feel certain or confident

She assured me everything was fine.

attach

to join or connect one thing to another

Please attach the file to your email.

attack

to act violently towards someone or something

The army attacked the village at dawn.

attend

to be present at an event or activity

She attended every class last week.

attract

to draw interest or attention

The bright colours attracted many children.

avoid

to stay away from someone or something

Try to avoid driving in the rain.

awake

to stop sleeping; to wake up

I awoke in the middle of the night.

award

to officially give a prize or recognition

She was awarded a scholarship.

B
bake

to cook food using dry heat, usually in an oven

She baked a chocolate cake for his birthday.

balance

to keep or put something in a steady position

He balanced the book on his head.

ban

to officially say that something is not allowed

The school banned mobile phones during class.

bang

to hit something hard and loudly

She banged the door shut.

bathe

to wash yourself or someone else in a bath

He bathed the baby gently.

battle

to fight or struggle to achieve something

They battled the storm all night.

be

to exist or live

I want to be a doctor.

bear

to carry or endure something difficult

She couldn’t bear the pain.

beat

to hit something repeatedly or defeat someone

He beat the drum loudly.

become

to begin to be something or change into something

She became a lawyer at 25.

beg

to ask someone for something desperately

He begged her to stay.

begin

to start doing something

Let’s begin the lesson.

behave

to act in a certain way, often politely or properly

The children behaved well at the party.

believe

to accept something as true

I believe you are right.

belong

to be owned by someone or be in the right place

This book belongs to me.

bend

to shape or force something into a curve

He bent the wire into a circle.

bet

to risk money on the result of a game or event

He bet all his savings on the race.

bite

to cut something using teeth

The dog bit my hand.

blame

to say someone is responsible for something bad

Don’t blame me for your mistake.

bleed

to lose blood from the body

His nose started to bleed.

bless

to ask for God's favour or protection

They blessed the newborn baby.

blink

to shut and open the eyes quickly

She blinked in surprise.

blow

to move air, often using the mouth or wind

The wind blew strongly last night.

boil

to heat a liquid until it bubbles

Boil the water before drinking it.

book

to arrange or reserve something in advance

I booked a room for the weekend.

borrow

to take something for a short time and return it

Can I borrow your pen?

bounce

to spring back after hitting a surface

The ball bounced across the floor.

bow

to bend the body as a sign of respect

They bowed before the king.

break

to damage something and make it unusable

He broke his glasses again.

breathe

to take air into and out of the lungs

Try to breathe deeply and relax.

bring

to take something to a place or person

Please bring your notebook to class.

build

to construct something by putting parts together

They are building a new hospital.

burn

to damage or destroy by fire or heat

She burned her hand on the stove.

bury

to put something under the ground

They buried the treasure in the garden.

buy

to get something by paying money

She bought a new phone yesterday.

C
call

to speak to someone on the phone

I'll call you tonight.

carry

to hold and move something from one place to another

He carried the box upstairs.

catch

to capture or seize

She caught the ball easily.

change

to make or become different

She changed her hairstyle.

choose

to select from a number of options

He chose the red one.

clean

to make something not dirty

I cleaned the kitchen yesterday.

climb

to go up something, usually using hands and feet

They climbed the mountain.

close

to shut something

Please close the door.

come

to move toward the speaker

Can you come here for a moment?

cook

to prepare food by heating it

She’s cooking dinner now.

copy

to make something the same as something else

He copied the file to a USB stick.

count

to say numbers in order or determine the number of items

She counted the apples on the table.

create

to make something new

They created a new website.

cry

to produce tears from the eyes, usually from sadness

The baby started to cry.

cut

to divide something using a sharp tool

She cut the paper with scissors.

crash

to collide violently with something

The car crashed into the wall.

clap

to strike the palms of the hands together to show appreciation

Everyone clapped at the end of the show.

complain

to express dissatisfaction or annoyance

He complained about the noise.

compare

to look at similarities or differences

Compare these two photos.

carry on

to continue doing something

He carried on talking for hours.

D
dance

to move rhythmically to music

They danced all night at the party.

decide

to make a choice or come to a conclusion

She decided to leave early.

deliver

to bring something to a place

He delivered the package yesterday.

describe

to give details about something

Can you describe what happened?

design

to create a plan or drawing

She designed a new logo.

destroy

to ruin or damage something completely

The fire destroyed the building.

develop

to grow or improve something

He developed a new app.

die

to stop living

Her pet dog died last week.

dig

to make a hole in the ground

They dug a hole for the tree.

discuss

to talk about something in detail

We discussed our plans over lunch.

divide

to separate into parts

She divided the cake into eight pieces.

do

to perform an action

What are you doing?

draw

to make a picture using a pen or pencil

He drew a cat on the paper.

dream

to experience thoughts while sleeping or to hope strongly

She dreams of becoming a singer.

drink

to take liquid into the mouth and swallow it

He drank a glass of water.

drive

to operate and control a vehicle

I drove to work this morning.

drop

to let something fall

She dropped her phone on the floor.

dry

to remove moisture from something

He dried the dishes after washing them.

doubt

to feel uncertain about something

I doubt that he will come.

E
eat

to put food in your mouth and swallow it

We usually eat dinner at 7 p.m.

educate

to give someone information or training

Schools aim to educate children for life.

eliminate

to completely remove or get rid of something

They eliminated all errors from the report.

employ

to give someone a job

The company employs over 200 people.

encourage

to give support, confidence, or hope to someone

Parents should encourage their children to read.

enjoy

to take delight or pleasure in something

I really enjoy reading novels.

enter

to go or come into a place

She entered the room quietly.

escape

to get away from a place or situation

The cat escaped through the window.

establish

to start or create something that is meant to last

The company was established in 1990.

evaluate

to judge or determine the value of something

We need to evaluate the results carefully.

examine

to inspect or look at something closely

The doctor examined the patient’s arm.

exceed

to go beyond a limit or expectation

Sales exceeded all expectations this year.

exchange

to give something and receive something else in return

They exchanged gifts during the holiday.

excuse

to forgive someone for something wrong

Please excuse my lateness.

exercise

to do physical activity to stay healthy

He exercises three times a week.

exist

to be real or present

Dinosaurs no longer exist.

expand

to become larger in size or amount

The company plans to expand next year.

expect

to think that something will happen

I expect it will rain later today.

explain

to make something clear or easy to understand

Can you explain this rule to me?

explore

to travel through or learn about something in detail

They explored the jungle together.

express

to show or say what you think or feel

He expressed his opinion clearly.

F
face

to deal with a difficult situation

We have to face the challenges ahead.

fail

to not succeed in doing something

He failed his driving test twice.

fall

to drop down from a higher level

She slipped and fell on the ice.

feed

to give food to someone or something

She feeds her cat every morning.

feel

to experience an emotion or physical sensation

I feel very tired today.

fight

to use physical force or argue strongly

They fought for their rights.

fill

to make something full

He filled the glass with water.

find

to discover something or someone

She found her keys under the table.

finish

to complete something

He finished the project on time.

fit

to be the right size or shape

These shoes fit perfectly.

fix

to repair something

He fixed the broken chair.

focus

to concentrate attention on something

Try to focus on your work.

follow

to go or come after something

The dog followed its owner home.

forbid

to order someone not to do something

Smoking is forbidden here.

force

to make someone do something against their will

He was forced to apologise.

forget

to fail to remember something

Don’t forget to lock the door.

forgive

to stop being angry at someone who did something wrong

She forgave him for being late.

form

to make or create something

They formed a new team.

freeze

to turn into ice or become very cold

Water freezes at 0°C.

fry

to cook something in hot oil

She fried the eggs for breakfast.

function

to work or operate in a proper way

The machine is not functioning correctly.

fulfil

to achieve or satisfy a requirement or goal

He fulfilled his childhood dream.

G
gain

to get or increase something, often gradually

She gained experience through volunteering.

gather

to collect things or bring people together

They gathered around the fire.

gaze

to look steadily at something for a long time

He gazed out the window.

generate

to produce or create something

This machine generates electricity.

get

to obtain, receive, or become

Did you get my message?

give

to offer something to someone

She gave me a gift.

glance

to look quickly or briefly

He glanced at his watch.

glow

to produce a steady light

The lamp glowed in the dark.

go

to move or travel from one place to another

We went to the beach last weekend.

grab

to take something quickly or roughly

He grabbed his coat and left.

grin

to smile broadly

She grinned when she saw the puppy.

greet

to say hello or welcome someone

They greeted us at the door.

grip

to hold tightly

He gripped the steering wheel.

grow

to become larger or increase over time

Tomatoes grow in the garden.

guess

to give an answer without being sure

Can you guess the answer?

guide

to lead or direct someone

The teacher guided us through the project.

guard

to protect someone or something

The soldier guarded the entrance.

H
hail

to greet or call out to someone

She hailed a taxi in the rain.

handle

to deal with or manage something

He handled the situation calmly.

hang

to suspend something from above

She hung her coat on the hook.

happen

to take place or occur

What happened yesterday?

harm

to cause damage or injury

Too much sun can harm your skin.

hate

to strongly dislike someone or something

He hates waking up early.

have

to own or possess something

I have two brothers and one sister.

head

to move in a particular direction

We’re heading to the airport now.

heal

to make or become healthy again

Time can heal emotional wounds.

hear

to perceive sound with your ears

Did you hear that noise?

help

to assist or make things easier for someone

Can you help me carry this?

hesitate

to pause before doing something

She hesitated before answering.

hide

to put something out of sight

He hid the gift under the bed.

highlight

to emphasise or mark something as important

She highlighted the key points in the book.

hire

to give someone a job or rent something

They hired a new manager last week.

hit

to strike something with force

He hit the ball over the fence.

hold

to keep or grasp something in your hand

Hold my hand while we cross the street.

hop

to jump on one foot or make small jumps

The bunny hopped across the lawn.

hope

to wish or desire for something to happen

I hope you feel better soon.

hug

to hold someone tightly to show love or affection

She hugged her friend goodbye.

hum

to make a low continuous sound or sing without words

He hummed a tune while working.

hunt

to search or chase for food, animals, or people

They hunted deer in the forest.

hurry

to move or act quickly

Hurry or we’ll miss the train!

hurt

to cause pain or injury

He hurt his ankle while playing football.

I
identify

to recognise or name someone or something

Can you identify the man in this photo?

ignore

to intentionally pay no attention to something

He ignored my message completely.

illustrate

to explain or show something clearly using examples or pictures

Let me illustrate the concept with a diagram.

imagine

to form a picture in your mind

Try to imagine life without electricity.

implement

to put a plan or system into action

The company implemented a new strategy.

impress

to make someone feel admiration

She impressed the judges with her singing.

improve

to make something better

He improved his grades this year.

include

to make something part of a group or whole

The bill includes service charges.

increase

to become or make something larger in number or amount

Prices have increased significantly.

indicate

to point out or show

The signs indicate the direction of travel.

influence

to affect the way someone thinks or behaves

Her speech influenced the audience.

inform

to give someone facts or information

Please inform me of any changes.

inherit

to receive money or property from someone after they die

She inherited the house from her grandmother.

initiate

to start or begin something

The school initiated a recycling project.

insist

to demand something strongly

I insist you come to the meeting.

inspect

to examine something carefully

They inspected the car before buying it.

inspire

to fill someone with the urge to do something

Her courage inspired us all.

install

to put something in place for use

They installed a new software update.

instruct

to teach or tell someone what to do

The teacher instructed the class to listen carefully.

interact

to communicate or work together

Children need to interact with their peers.

interest

to attract someone's attention or curiosity

The story really interested me.

interrupt

to stop someone from speaking or doing something

Please don’t interrupt me while I’m talking.

introduce

to present someone or something for the first time

Let me introduce you to my friend.

invest

to put money or effort into something to get a return

She invested in real estate.

invite

to ask someone to come to an event

They invited us to dinner.

iron

to press clothes with a heated tool

She ironed her dress for the party.

irritate

to annoy or make someone angry

His loud chewing irritates me.

J
jab

to push or hit something quickly with force

He jabbed his finger at the screen.

jail

to put someone in prison

He was jailed for fraud.

jam

to become stuck and unable to move

The paper jammed inside the printer.

jeopardise

to put something at risk

His actions could jeopardise the whole project.

joke

to say something funny or not serious

I was only joking!

jog

to run at a slow, steady pace

She jogs every morning in the park.

join

to become part of a group or activity

Would you like to join us for lunch?

jot

to write something quickly

Let me jot down your number.

judge

to form an opinion about something or someone

Don’t judge a book by its cover.

juggle

to manage several tasks at the same time

She’s juggling two jobs and three kids.

jump

to push yourself off the ground using your legs

He jumped over the fence.

justify

to show that something is right or reasonable

Can you justify your decision?

K
keep

to have or continue to have something

Keep your receipt in case you need a refund.

keep up

to continue at the same rate or level

She struggled to keep up with the pace.

kick

to hit something with your foot

He kicked the ball into the goal.

kick off

to begin something, especially an event or activity

The meeting will kick off at 10 a.m.

kick-start

to start or launch something energetically

They used a campaign to kick-start the project.

kid

to joke or tease someone

I was just kidding—you didn’t really lose your job!

kill

to cause someone or something to die

Smoking can kill you.

kiss

to touch with the lips as a sign of love or affection

She kissed him on the cheek.

kneel

to go down on one or both knees

He knelt down to tie his shoe.

knit

to make clothing or fabric by looping yarn

My grandmother taught me how to knit.

knock

to hit a surface to make a noise

He knocked on the door three times.

know

to be aware of or have knowledge of something

Do you know what time it is?

L
label

to attach a tag or name to something

Label each folder with a date.

lament

to express sorrow or regret

She lamented the loss of her pet.

land

to come down through the air and rest on the ground

The plane landed safely.

launch

to begin or introduce something new

They launched a new product this week.

laugh

to make sounds of amusement or joy

She laughed at his joke.

lay

to put something down carefully

She laid the baby in the crib.

lead

to guide or direct

She led the team to victory.

learn

to gain knowledge or skill

Children learn quickly at this age.

leave

to go away from a place

He left the house at 7am.

lend

to give something to someone for a short time

Can you lend me your pen?

lick

to pass the tongue over something

The dog licked my hand.

light

to make something start to burn

He lit a candle during the blackout.

limit

to set a boundary or restrict

We need to limit our screen time.

list

to make a list or enumerate

She listed all the things to buy.

listen

to pay attention to sound

Please listen carefully to the instructions.

live

to be alive; to reside somewhere

They live in a small village.

locate

to find the position of something

Can you locate your phone?

lock

to secure something with a key or mechanism

Don't forget to lock the door.

look

to direct your eyes toward something

Look at that rainbow!

love

to feel strong affection for someone or something

I love my family.

M
maintain

to keep something in good condition

You should maintain your car regularly.

make

to create or produce something

She made a cake for the party.

manage

to control or be in charge of something

He manages a small business.

mark

to make a sign or symbol on something

She marked the correct answers with a tick.

marry

to become someone's husband or wife

They got married last year.

measure

to find the size or amount of something

She measured the length of the table.

meditate

to focus your mind for relaxation or spirituality

He meditates every morning before work.

meet

to come together with someone

Let’s meet for coffee tomorrow.

melt

to become liquid due to heat

The ice cream melted quickly.

memorise

to learn something so it can be remembered exactly

I need to memorise this poem.

mention

to say something briefly

He mentioned your name in the meeting.

mind

to care about or object to something

Do you mind if I sit here?

miss

to fail to reach or to feel the absence of

I miss my family a lot.

mix

to combine two or more substances

Mix the flour with water.

moan

to complain or express pain

Stop moaning and do something about it!

modify

to change something slightly

The design was modified after feedback.

motivate

to give someone a reason to do something

Teachers should motivate students to learn.

move

to change position or place

She moved to London last year.

mumble

to speak quietly and unclearly

He mumbled something under his breath.

multiply

to increase greatly in number or amount

Bacteria multiply quickly in warm temperatures.

N
narrow

to reduce the width or scope of something

We need to narrow our options.

name

to give a title or label to someone or something

They named their daughter Emily.

narrate

to tell a story or describe events

The documentary was narrated by a famous actor.

need

to require something because it is essential

I need a break.

neglect

to fail to care for something properly

He neglected his homework and failed the class.

negotiate

to discuss in order to reach an agreement

They negotiated a better deal.

network

to interact with others to exchange information or contacts

You should network at the conference.

neutralise

to cancel the effect of something

The army neutralised the threat.

nest

to build or settle in a nest

The birds nested in the tree.

nibble

to eat something in small bites

He nibbled on some cheese.

nod

to move your head up and down to show agreement

She nodded in approval.

nod off

to fall asleep, usually unintentionally

He nodded off during the lecture.

note

to observe or pay attention to something

Please note the change in schedule.

notice

to become aware of something

Did you notice the new poster?

notify

to formally tell someone something

You will be notified by email.

number

to assign numbers to things in a sequence

She numbered the pages of her report.

nudge

to gently push someone or something

She nudged him to wake him up.

nurture

to help someone or something grow and develop

Parents nurture their children with love.

O
obey

to do what someone in authority tells you to do

You must obey the traffic rules.

object

to express disagreement or disapproval

She objected to the new policy.

observe

to watch carefully or notice something

We observed the stars through a telescope.

obtain

to get something, especially by effort

He obtained a copy of the report.

occupy

to take up space, time, or attention

The sofa occupied most of the room.

occur

to happen or take place

An accident occurred on the highway.

offer

to present or provide something willingly

She offered me a cup of tea.

omit

to leave out or exclude something

He omitted a key detail from his story.

open

to move something to allow access

Please open the window.

operate

to control or function; to perform surgery

He operates heavy machinery.

oppose

to be against something or someone

They opposed the construction of the mall.

opt

to choose or decide to do something

She opted for a vegetarian meal.

organise

to arrange or plan things systematically

He organised a charity event.

originate

to come from or start in a particular place

The tradition originated in Japan.

outline

to give a summary or structure of something

He outlined the main points of the plan.

overcome

to successfully deal with a problem

She overcame her fear of flying.

overestimate

to think something is more than it really is

They overestimated the cost of repairs.

oversee

to supervise or manage something

He oversees the entire department.

overwhelm

to overpower emotionally or physically

She was overwhelmed by the support.

owe

to have a debt or obligation to someone

I owe you ten dollars.

P
pack

to put things into a container or bag

She packed her clothes for the trip.

paint

to apply colour to a surface using a brush or tool

He painted the walls blue.

participate

to take part in an activity or event

They participated in the school play.

pass

to move past or succeed in something

She passed the exam with ease.

pay

to give money in exchange for something

I paid for the groceries.

perform

to carry out or do something

The artist performed on stage last night.

persuade

to convince someone to do something

She persuaded me to join the club.

phone

to make a telephone call

He phoned his mother to check in.

pick

to choose or select something

Pick your favourite flavour.

plan

to decide in advance what to do

We planned a holiday to the coast.

play

to engage in an activity for enjoyment or sport

The children are playing outside.

point

to indicate or show something with your finger

She pointed at the sign.

post

to send a letter or place something online

He posted a photo on Instagram.

pour

to make a liquid flow from a container

She poured milk into the glass.

practice

to do something regularly to improve skill

He practices the guitar every day.

prefer

to like one thing more than another

I prefer coffee over tea.

prepare

to get ready or make ready

She prepared dinner for the guests.

present

to give, show, or deliver something

He presented his research to the class.

press

to apply force to something

Press the button to start the machine.

prevent

to stop something from happening

The vaccine prevents disease.

promise

to assure someone that you will do something

She promised to call me back.

protect

to keep someone or something safe

The sunscreen protects your skin.

prove

to demonstrate the truth of something

He proved his innocence.

publish

to make something available to the public

The author published a new book.

pull

to move something toward you

Pull the door to open it.

punish

to make someone suffer for a wrongdoing

The teacher punished him for cheating.

push

to move something away from you

Push the cart through the aisle.

put

to place something somewhere

Put the keys on the table.

Q
quack

to make the sound that a duck makes

The ducklings quacked loudly as they followed their mother.

quake

to shake or tremble, often from fear or cold

She quaked with fear during the thunderstorm.

qualify

to meet the criteria or conditions for something

He qualified for the final round of the competition.

quantify

to measure or express something in numbers

It's difficult to quantify the value of friendship.

quarrel

to argue or fight verbally

They often quarrel about politics.

question

to ask about or challenge something

The student questioned the professor’s explanation.

queue

to line up or wait in line

People queued for hours to buy the concert tickets.

quibble

to argue or complain about small details

Stop quibbling over the price; it’s already fair.

quiet

to make or become silent

She quieted the baby with a lullaby.

quote

to repeat words from someone else

She quoted a famous poet in her speech.

R
race

To compete in a speed contest.

They raced to the finish line.

rain

To fall as water drops from the sky.

It rained heavily all night.

raise

To lift or move something to a higher position.

He raised his hand to ask a question.

read

To look at and understand written words.

She read the book in one day.

realise

To become aware of something.

He realised he had made a mistake.

recall

To remember something.

I can't recall his name.

receive

To be given or presented with something.

She received a gift from her friend.

recognise

To identify someone or something seen before.

I recognised her from school.

recommend

To suggest something as being good or suitable.

I recommend the pasta—it's delicious.

reduce

To make something smaller or less in amount.

They reduced the price of the product.

reflect

To show an image or to think carefully.

He reflected on his decision.

refuse

To say no to something.

She refused to answer the question.

relax

To rest or reduce stress.

He relaxed by reading a book.

release

To set something free or make it available.

They released the film last month.

rely

To depend on someone or something.

You can rely on her help.

remain

To stay in the same place or condition.

He remained calm during the storm.

remember

To keep something in your memory.

Please remember to bring your ID.

remove

To take something away.

She removed the sticker from the wall.

repair

To fix something that is broken.

He repaired the broken chair.

replace

To take the place of something.

I replaced the old batteries.

report

To give information about something.

They reported the incident to the police.

represent

To stand in place of someone or something.

The lawyer represented the client in court.

rescue

To save someone or something from danger.

Firefighters rescued the cat from the tree.

respond

To reply or react to something.

She didn't respond to my message.

rest

To relax or sleep to regain energy.

He needs to rest after a long day.

return

To go back to a place or person.

She returned the book to the library.

reveal

To make something known or visible.

The magician revealed his secret.

review

To examine or assess something.

Please review your answers before submitting.

ring

To make a bell-like sound or call someone.

I'll ring you tomorrow morning.

run

To move quickly on foot.

She runs every morning.

S
sail

To travel on water using a boat or ship.

They sailed across the ocean.

save

To keep safe or to store for future use.

She saved money every month.

say

To express something with words.

He said hello to everyone.

see

To notice or observe something.

I saw a bird on the roof.

seek

To look for something.

They are seeking advice from a lawyer.

sell

To give something in exchange for money.

He sells fruit at the market.

send

To cause something to go somewhere.

I sent her a birthday card.

set

To put something in a particular place or position.

She set the table for dinner.

shake

To move quickly back and forth.

The building shook during the earthquake.

share

To use or enjoy something with others.

He shared his lunch with me.

shine

To give off light.

The sun shone brightly.

shoot

To fire a bullet or arrow.

The hunter shot at the target.

shop

To buy things from a store.

We went shopping for clothes.

show

To display or let someone see something.

She showed me her new phone.

shut

To close something firmly.

He shut the door quickly.

sing

To produce musical sounds with your voice.

She sings beautifully.

sit

To rest on your bottom.

Please sit down and relax.

sleep

To rest with your eyes closed.

He sleeps for eight hours a night.

slide

To move smoothly along a surface.

The kids slid down the hill.

smile

To show happiness by turning up the corners of your mouth.

She smiled at the camera.

smoke

To inhale and exhale smoke from a cigarette or fire.

He smokes a pipe every evening.

solve

To find an answer to a problem.

Can you solve this puzzle?

speak

To use words to express thoughts.

She speaks three languages.

spend

To use money or time for a purpose.

He spent all his savings.

stand

To be in an upright position on your feet.

He stood near the window.

start

To begin something.

We started the meeting at noon.

stay

To remain in a place.

They stayed at a hotel.

stop

To cease movement or action.

Why did you stop the car.

study

To learn about something.

What did you study in College?

succeed

To achieve a goal or aim.

He succeeded in passing the exam.

suggest

To offer an idea or plan.

I suggested a new strategy.

support

To give help or encouragement.

Her friends supported her during hard times.

swim

To move in water using arms and legs.

He swam across the river.

T
take

To get or hold something with your hands.

She took the book from the shelf.

talk

To speak or have a conversation.

They talked for hours on the phone.

teach

To help someone learn something.

He teaches English at the school.

tear

To pull something apart or make a hole in it.

She tore the paper in half.

tell

To communicate something to someone.

He told me the story yesterday.

test

To check something to see if it works or is correct.

The scientist tested the new theory.

thank

To express gratitude.

She thanked him for his help.

think

To use your mind to form ideas or make decisions.

I think it's going to rain today.

throw

To send something through the air by a movement of the arm.

He threw the ball to his friend.

tick

To mark a box or list with a check mark.

Please tick the correct answer.

touch

To put your hand on something.

Don't touch the hot pan!

trade

To exchange goods or services.

They traded apples for oranges.

train

To teach or learn a skill or activity over time.

She trained as a nurse.

translate

To change words from one language to another.

Can you translate this sentence into French?

trap

To catch someone or something so they cannot escape.

The police trapped the thief in a building.

travel

To go from one place to another.

They travelled to Spain last summer.

treat

To act or behave toward someone in a particular way.

They treated her with kindness.

try

To make an effort to do something.

Have you tried to fix it yourself?

turn

To move in a circular direction.

She turned the key in the lock.

type

To write using a keyboard.

Type your name here.

U
understand

To know what something means or why it happens.

I understand what you're trying to say.

underestimate

To think something is smaller or less important than it is.

Don't underestimate her abilities.

undergo

To experience something, usually something difficult.

He underwent surgery last year.

underline

To draw a line under text or emphasise something.

Please underline the correct answer.

undertake

To begin or promise to do something.

She undertook the project with confidence.

undo

To reverse an action or remove its effects.

You can undo your last change with Ctrl+Z.

unfold

To open or reveal something that was folded.

He unfolded the map on the table.

unite

To come together for a common purpose.

The countries united to fight the threat.

unlock

To open something that is locked.

She unlocked the door with her key.

unsubscribe

To stop receiving updates, emails, or notifications.

Click here to unsubscribe from the newsletter.

update

To bring something up to date.

We need to update the software.

upgrade

To improve or make something better.

They upgraded the computer system.

upload

To send data or files from your computer to the internet.

He uploaded the photos to the cloud.

upset

To make someone unhappy or angry.

I didn't mean to upset you.

urge

To strongly encourage someone to do something.

He urged her to apply for the job.

use

To do something with an object or idea to achieve a goal.

Do you know how to use this machine?

V
vacuum

To clean using a vacuum cleaner.

She vacuumed the carpet before guests arrived.

validate

To confirm or prove something is correct or acceptable.

The test results validated our hypothesis.

value

To consider something important or useful.

I really value your opinion.

vanish

To disappear suddenly.

The magician made the coin vanish.

vary

To be different or cause differences.

Results may vary depending on the method used.

venture

To do something risky or daring.

He ventured into the jungle alone.

verify

To check or confirm the accuracy of something.

Please verify your email address.

vibrate

To move quickly back and forth.

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

view

To look at or inspect something.

You can view the file online.

violate

To break a rule or law.

They violated the contract terms.

visit

To go and spend time at a place or with someone.

We visited our grandparents last weekend.

visualise

To form a picture of something in your mind.

Try to visualise your goals every day.

volunteer

To offer help without being paid.

She volunteered at the animal shelter.

vomit

To throw up food from the stomach through the mouth.

He vomited after eating spoiled food.

vote

To make a choice in an election.

My husband voted for Donald Trump.

vow

To make a serious promise.

She vowed to never lie again.

W
wait

To stay in one place until something happens.

Please wait here until your name is called.

wake

To stop sleeping or to make someone stop sleeping.

I woke up early this morning.

walk

To move by putting one foot in front of the other.

They walked through the park.

wander

To walk around without a clear purpose.

He wandered through the forest for hours.

want

To desire or wish for something.

I want to be rich.

warn

To tell someone about a possible danger or problem.

They warned us about the storm.

wash

To clean something using water.

I need to wash my hands before dinner.

waste

To use something carelessly or without purpose.

Don't waste your time on that task.

watch

To look at something for a period of time.

We watched a movie last night.

wave

To move your hand to say hello or goodbye.

She waved at me across the street.

wear

To have clothes or accessories on your body.

He's wearing a blue jacket.

weigh

To measure how heavy something is.

The bag weighs 5 kilograms.

welcome

To greet someone in a friendly way.

They welcomed us warmly.

whisper

To speak very quietly.

She whispered a secret to me.

win

To achieve victory in a game or competition.

He won the race easily.

wish

To hope something will happen.

I wish you the best of luck.

wonder

To feel curious or uncertain about something.

I wonder if it will rain tomorrow.

work

To do a job or task.

She works at a bank.

worry

To feel anxious about something.

Don't worry about the test.

wrap

To cover something with paper or material.

She wrapped the gift nicely.

write

To put words on paper or a screen.

He writes stories in his free time.

X
x-ray

To photograph using X-rays to see inside objects or bodies.

The doctor x-rayed his arm to check for a fracture.

Y
yank

To pull something forcefully and suddenly.

I had to yank the door to open it.

yawn

To open your mouth wide and take a deep breath because you are tired or bored.

She yawned during the long meeting.

yearn

To desire something strongly, especially something difficult to get.

He yearned for a chance to travel the world.

yell

To shout loudly, usually when you are angry, excited, or in pain.

He yelled at the children to be quiet.

yelp

To make a short, sharp cry, usually because of pain or fear.

The dog yelped when it stepped on a thorn.

yield

To produce or provide something; to give in to pressure.

The farm yields good crops every year.

Z
zap

To destroy, attack, or get rid of something quickly and suddenly.

She zapped the bug with a fly swatter.

zero in

To direct all your attention toward a particular person or thing.

The camera zeroed in on the speaker's face.

zigzag

To move forward by making sharp turns alternately to the left and right.

The skier zigzagged down the mountain slope.

zone out

To lose concentration or become mentally detached.

He zoned out during the long lecture.

zoom

To move or travel very quickly.

The motorbike zoomed past us.

List of common English verbs with more than 650 words
English verbs list A-Z
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2. Learning practice example

I hope you find the list useful. As a learning practice, start by selecting the verb(s) you want to learn. Make a table and put your selected verb(s) in the first column. Write example sentences in the second column using different pronouns. Depending on your level, include variations in tenses, phrasal verbs, or idiomatic expressions related to the base verb.

English verbs practice table
VerbsExample sentences
Run
(Basic to intermediate)
I run every morning.
You run faster than me.
He/She/It runs very fast.
We often run together on weekends.
They run every day to stay fit.
Take
(upper intermediate to advanced)
I’ll take the first shift.
You should take after your grandmother; she’s an amazing artist.
He takes on too many responsibilities.
We take to the new policies quite easily.
She took a shine to the new intern.
The soldiers took cover to hide from the enemies.

Use our free online English conjugator to conjugate any verbs in all tenses. Start with the most basic tense, the present simple, before moving to the more advanced one. Try to differentiate between regular and irregular verbs.