Intermediate Words That Start With Y

Intermediate Words That Start With Y

When it comes to expanding your vocabulary, focusing on specific letters can be an effective strategy. The letter “Y” may not be the most common starting letter in the English language, but it offers a rich variety of words that can enhance your communication skills. Whether you’re a student, writer, or language enthusiast, this list of intermediate words that start with “Y” will help you deepen your understanding of the language. Let’s dive into the meanings and examples of some of these words.

List of Intermediate Words That Start With Y

Intermediate Words That Start With Y with meanings and example

1. Yacht

• Meaning: A medium-sized sailboat equipped for cruising or racing.
• Example: They spent the summer sailing around the coast on their yacht.

2. Yam

• Meaning: A starchy tuber of a climbing plant, used as a staple food in many tropical countries.
• Example: She prepared a delicious dish using roasted yams and vegetables.

3. Yarn

• Meaning: Thread used for knitting or weaving.
• Example: The old woman spun a long yarn for her knitting project.

4. Yawn

• Meaning: Involuntarily opening one’s mouth wide and inhaling deeply due to tiredness or boredom.
• Example: He couldn’t stop yawning during the long, tedious lecture.

5. Yogurt

• Meaning: A semi-solid fermented milk food, often sweetened or flavored.
• Example: She had a bowl of fresh fruit with yogurt for breakfast.

6. Youth

• Meaning: The period between childhood and adult age; young people collectively.
• Example: The youth of today are more tech-savvy than previous generations.

7. Yolk

• Meaning: The yellow internal part of a bird’s egg, rich in protein and fat.
• Example: She separated the egg whites from the yolks for the meringue.

8. Yogic

• Meaning: Relating to yoga.
• Example: She follows a yogic lifestyle, practicing meditation and mindfulness daily.

9. Yogis

• Meaning: Practitioners of yoga.
• Example: The yogis gathered at the retreat to deepen their practice.

10. Yonder

• Meaning: At some distance in the direction indicated; over there.
• Example: We could see the mountains yonder in the distance.

11. Yuppie

• Meaning: A young, urban professional working in a city and typically living in a fashionable or upscale neighborhood.
• Example: The downtown area is filled with yuppies frequenting trendy cafes and bars.

12. Yelp

• Meaning: A short, sharp cry, especially of pain or alarm.
• Example: The dog let out a yelp when it accidentally stepped on a thorn.

13. Yoke

• Meaning: A wooden crosspiece fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they pull.
• Example: The farmer used a yoke to harness his oxen together.

14. Yowl

• Meaning: A loud wailing cry, especially one of pain or distress.
• Example: The cat let out a loud yowl when it was accidentally stepped on.

15. Yard

• Meaning: A piece of enclosed ground, usually next to a building.
• Example: The children played soccer in the yard until sunset.

16. Yield

• Meaning: To produce or provide (a natural, agricultural, or industrial product).
• Example: The apple tree yields hundreds of apples each season.

17. Yardstick

• Meaning: A measuring rod a yard long, typically divided into inches.
• Example: He used a yardstick to measure the fabric before cutting it.

18. Yammer

• Meaning: To talk foolishly or incessantly.
• Example: The group yammered on about their weekend plans, ignoring the lecture.

19. Yearn

• Meaning: To have an intense feeling of longing for something, typically something that one has lost or been separated from.
• Example: She yearned for the days of her childhood when life was simpler.

20. Yours

• Meaning: Belonging to or associated with the person or people that the speaker is addressing.
• Example: The decision is yours to make, so choose wisely.

21. Yuppies

• Meaning: Plural of yuppie; young urban professionals.
• Example: The yuppies in the city are often seen at trendy restaurants and fitness clubs.

22. Yodel

• Meaning: To sing by suddenly changing from a natural voice to a falsetto and back.
• Example: He learned how to yodel while traveling through the Swiss Alps.

23. Yogurts

• Meaning: Plural of yogurt; a semi-solid fermented milk food.
• Example: She stocked her fridge with various flavored yogurts.

24. Yuk

• Meaning: Used to express disgust or aversion.
• Example: “Yuk!” she exclaimed as she saw the spoiled milk in the fridge.

25. Yips

• Meaning: A nervous reaction in athletes, especially golfers, causing them to miss shots.
• Example: The golfer struggled with the yips during the final round of the tournament.

26. Yaupon

• Meaning: A type of holly native to southeastern North America.
• Example: The yaupon plant was used by Native Americans to brew a traditional tea.

27. Yachtsman

• Meaning: A person who owns or sails a yacht.
• Example: The experienced yachtsman navigated the rough waters with ease.

28. Yardage

• Meaning: The length or distance measured in yards.
• Example: The tailor needed the exact yardage of the fabric to complete the suit.

29. Yardarm

• Meaning: Either end of the yard of a square-rigged ship.
• Example: The sailors hoisted the flag to the top of the yardarm.

30. Yashmak

• Meaning: A veil worn by some Muslim women to cover their faces in public.
• Example: The yashmak left only her eyes visible as she walked through the market.

31. Yen

• Meaning: A longing or yearning.
• Example: She had a yen to travel to exotic places.

32. Yeoman

• Meaning: A man holding and cultivating a small landed estate; a freeholder.
• Example: The yeoman worked diligently on his farm, producing ample crops.

33. Yaffle

• Meaning: A green woodpecker.
• Example: The sound of the yaffle echoed through the forest.

34. Yellow

• Meaning: A color like that of egg yolk or gold.
• Example: The artist chose a bright yellow to paint the sun in his landscape.

35. Youngster

• Meaning: A child or young person.
• Example: The youngsters gathered around the storyteller, eager to hear the tale.

36. Yester

• Meaning: Denoting the day before today.
• Example: He couldn’t remember what he did yester afternoon.

37. Yogin

• Meaning: A male practitioner of yoga.
• Example: The yogin spent hours meditating in the quiet temple.

38. Yuppify

• Meaning: To make (a place or lifestyle) attractive to yuppies.
• Example: The neighborhood was yuppified with the arrival of new cafes and boutiques.

39. Yabber

• Meaning: To talk rapidly and unintelligibly.
• Example: The children began to yabber excitedly when they saw the magician.

40. Yeats

• Meaning: Referring to the famous Irish poet, William Butler Yeats.
• Example: Yeats’s poetry is celebrated for its symbolism and mysticism.

41. Yap

• Meaning: To talk in a shrill or noisy manner.
• Example: The small dog wouldn’t stop yapping at the visitors.

42. Yog

• Meaning: Slang for a yoga session or practice.
• Example: She attends a yog class every morning before work.

43. Yapok

• Meaning: A water opossum native to Central and South America.
• Example: The yapok is known for its unique ability to swim and hunt in water.

44. Yahweh

• Meaning: A form of the Hebrew name of God used in the Bible.
• Example: The sacred texts often refer to Yahweh as the creator of all things.

45. Yin

• Meaning: In Chinese philosophy, the passive, negative, or feminine principle of the universe.
• Example: Yin is often balanced with yang to achieve harmony.

46. Yarborough

• Meaning: A hand of cards containing no card above a nine.
• Example: He was disappointed to be dealt a yarborough in the final round of the game.

47. Yarmulke

• Meaning: A skullcap worn by Jewish men during prayer or other religious activities.
• Example: He placed his yarmulke on his head before entering the synagogue.

48. Yah

• Meaning: Informal way to say yes or an exclamation of excitement.
• Example: “Yah, I’m definitely going to the concert!” she said excitedly.

49. Yummiest

• Meaning: Superlative of yummy; most delicious.
• Example: That was the yummiest dessert I’ve ever tasted!

50. Yemeni

• Meaning: Relating to Yemen or its people.
• Example: The Yemeni culture is rich with traditions and history.

51. Young

• Meaning: Having lived or existed for only a short time.
• Example: The young tree began to sprout new leaves in the spring.

52. Yuan

• Meaning: The basic monetary unit of China.
• Example: She exchanged her dollars for yuan before traveling to China.

53. Yammered

• Meaning: Past tense of yammer; to talk loudly or persistently.
• Example: They yammered on about the movie they had just seen.

54. Yoghurts

• Meaning: Plural of yogurt.
• Example: The store offers a wide variety of yoghurts, including Greek and dairy-free options.

55. Yappers

• Meaning: People or animals that yap; those who talk noisily.
• Example: The yappers on the street corner were debating the latest news.

56. Yielded

• Meaning: Past tense of yield; to give way or produce.
• Example: The experiment yielded some surprising results.

57. Yanked

• Meaning: Past tense of yank; to pull something with a quick, strong movement.
• Example: She yanked the door open when she heard the alarm.

58. Yarrow

• Meaning: A type of flowering plant with feathery leaves, used medicinally.
• Example: Yarrow is often used in herbal remedies for its healing properties.

59. Yeast

• Meaning: A microscopic fungus used in baking and brewing.
• Example: The recipe calls for a teaspoon of yeast to make the bread rise.

60. Yowls

• Meaning: Plural of yowl; loud wailing cries.
• Example: The cat’s yowls could be heard throughout the neighborhood.

61. Yellowed

• Meaning: Became yellow or discolored with age.
• Example: The pages of the old book had yellowed over time.

62. Yarned

• Meaning: Past tense of yarn; to tell a long, often elaborate story.
• Example: He yarned about his adventures on the high seas.

63. Yore

• Meaning: Of long ago or former times.
• Example: The castle stands as a reminder of days of yore.

64. Yuppified

• Meaning: Made more appealing to yuppies; often involving gentrification.
• Example: The once gritty neighborhood has been yuppified with new coffee shops and boutiques.

65. Yodeling

• Meaning: Singing by changing from a natural voice to a falsetto and back.
• Example: The singer impressed the audience with her skillful yodeling.

66. Yachtsmen

• Meaning: Plural of yachtsman; people who own or sail yachts.
• Example: The yachtsmen gathered at the marina before setting sail.

67. Yeatses

• Meaning: Refers to works or quotations from W.B. Yeats, the famous poet.
• Example: The professor often quoted Yeatses in his lectures on poetry.

68. Yarrows

• Meaning: Plural of yarrow; a type of flowering plant.
• Example: Yarrows can be found growing in many wild meadows.

69. Yankee

• Meaning: A native or inhabitant of the northern United States.
• Example: The Yankees and Red Sox have a long-standing baseball rivalry.

70. Yanking

• Meaning: Pulling something with a sudden, forceful movement.
• Example: He was yanking on the rope to secure the boat to the dock.

71. Yiddish

• Meaning: A language used by Jews in central and eastern Europe before the Holocaust.
• Example: The book was written in Yiddish, a language she had learned from her grandparents.

72. Yew

• Meaning: A type of coniferous tree with red berries.
• Example: The yew trees in the garden have been there for hundreds of years.

73. Yellowing

• Meaning: The process of turning yellow, usually due to age.
• Example: The old photographs were yellowing at the edges.

74. Yankees

• Meaning: Plural of Yankee; inhabitants of the northern U.S., or members of the New York Yankees baseball team.
• Example: The Yankees have won numerous World Series titles.

75. Yachting

• Meaning: The sport or pastime of sailing or racing yachts.
• Example: Yachting is a popular activity among the wealthy on the coast.

76. Yawned

• Meaning: Past tense of yawn; to open one’s mouth wide and breathe in deeply, usually from tiredness.
• Example: He yawned loudly, signaling that it was time to go to bed.

77. Yokes

• Meaning: Plural of yoke; wooden crosspieces used to harness animals together.
• Example: The farmer attached the yokes to his oxen before starting the plow.

78. Yum

• Meaning: An expression of pleasure or enjoyment, especially in response to food.
• Example: “Yum, this cake is delicious!” she said after taking a bite.

79. Yews

• Meaning: Plural of yew; a type of tree with red berries.
• Example: The yews in the churchyard are ancient and majestic.

80. Yawnful

• Meaning: Causing or characterized by yawning.
• Example: The yawnful lecture put several students to sleep.

81. Yapping

• Meaning: Present participle of yap; talking in a shrill or noisy manner.
• Example: The small dog kept yapping at the passing cars.

82. Yank

• Meaning: To pull something with a sudden, sharp movement.
• Example: She gave the rope a yank to bring the bucket up from the well.

83. Yabbering

• Meaning: Talking rapidly and often incomprehensibly.
• Example: The kids were yabbering excitedly about the upcoming holiday.

84. Yucky

• Meaning: Unpleasant or distasteful, especially in terms of taste or texture.
• Example: The soup was cold and yucky, so she sent it back to the kitchen.

85. Yabbies

• Meaning: Freshwater crayfish found in Australia.
• Example: The children spent the afternoon catching yabbies in the creek.

86. Yammerer

• Meaning: A person who talks a lot, especially in a complaining manner.
• Example: The yammerer at the next table kept complaining about the service.

87. Yobbo

• Meaning: A young man who behaves in a loud and unpleasant way.
• Example: The yobbo was causing trouble at the football match.

88. Yazoo

• Meaning: A word of unknown meaning, sometimes used as a proper noun.
• Example: The river was named Yazoo after the local tribe.

89. Yachted

• Meaning: Past tense of yacht; to have sailed or traveled on a yacht.
• Example: They yachted along the coast during their summer vacation.

90. Yummy

• Meaning: Delicious or tasty.
• Example: The freshly baked cookies smelled so yummy.

91. Yup

• Meaning: Informal way to say yes.
• Example: “Do you want to come with us?” “Yup, I’m in!”

92. Yokel

• Meaning: A derogatory term for a person from the countryside, often seen as uneducated or unsophisticated.
• Example: The city folk made fun of the yokel for his simple way of speaking.

93. Yammering

• Meaning: Talking loudly and persistently, often in a complaining manner.
• Example: The neighbors were yammering all night, keeping everyone awake.

94. Yodelling

• Meaning: The act of singing by alternating between the normal voice and falsetto.
• Example: The Swiss shepherd was yodelling across the valley.

95. Yeomanry

• Meaning: A class of English commoners who owned and cultivated their own land.
• Example: The yeomanry played a significant role in the English countryside.

96. Yule

• Meaning: An old term for Christmas, particularly in the context of historical or pagan traditions.
• Example: The Yule log was burning brightly in the hearth.

97. Yasmin

• Meaning: A female given name, often associated with the jasmine flower.
• Example: Yasmin was named after the fragrant jasmine that bloomed in the garden.

98. Yowzer

• Meaning: An exclamation of surprise or admiration.
• Example: “Yowzer, that’s a huge fish you caught!”

99. Yambeans

• Meaning: Edible tubers from the jícama plant.
• Example: Yambeans are often used in salads for their crunchy texture.

100. Youngs

• Meaning: Plural of young; referring to young people or animals.
• Example: The mother duck led her youngs across the pond.

101. Yowza

• Meaning: An informal exclamation of surprise or excitement.
• Example: “Yowza, that was an incredible performance!”

102. Yodels

• Meaning: Plural of yodel; a form of singing involving rapid changes in pitch.
• Example: The yodels echoed through the mountains.

103. Yokels

• Meaning: Plural of yokel; rural people considered unsophisticated.
• Example: The tourists regarded the locals as mere yokels, unaware of their rich culture.

104. Yachters

• Meaning: People who own or sail yachts.
• Example: The yachters were preparing for the regatta.

105. Yardman

• Meaning: A person who works in a yard, especially in maintenance.
• Example: The yardman was busy trimming the hedges and mowing the lawn.

106. Yuckiest

• Meaning: Superlative of yucky; most unpleasant or disgusting.
• Example: That was the yuckiest meal I’ve ever had.

107. Yachties

• Meaning: People who sail or own yachts, often used informally.
• Example: The yachties gathered at the marina for the race.

108. Yodeler

• Meaning: A person who yodels.
• Example: The yodeler entertained the crowd with his impressive vocal skills.

109. Yeasts

• Meaning: Plural of yeast; fungi used in baking and brewing.
• Example: Different yeasts are used to produce various flavors in beer.

110. Yourselves

• Meaning: Reflexive form of ‘you,’ referring to more than one person.
• Example: You should all take care of yourselves during the cold season.

111. Yelling

• Meaning: Present participle of yell; shouting loudly.
• Example: The coach was yelling instructions from the sidelines.

112. Yelled

• Meaning: Past tense of yell; shouted loudly.
• Example: She yelled for help when she saw the fire.

113. Yawningly

• Meaning: In a manner that suggests boredom or tiredness.
• Example: He listened yawningly to the long-winded speech.

114. Yuppifying

• Meaning: Present participle of yuppify; making an area more appealing to yuppies.
• Example: The neighborhood is rapidly yuppifying, with new cafes and boutiques opening.

115. Yowser

• Meaning: An exclamation of amazement or admiration.
• Example: “Yowser, that’s a beautiful car you’ve got there!”

116. Yanker

• Meaning: Someone who yanks or pulls something forcefully.
• Example: The yanker pulled the door open with a loud creak.

117. Yippie

• Meaning: A member of a radical countercultural group in the 1960s.
• Example: The Yippie movement was known for its theatrical protests.

118. Yardarms

• Meaning: Plural of yardarm; the outer extremities of a ship’s yard.
• Example: The sails were secured to the yardarms as the ship prepared to set sail.

119. Yaffling

• Meaning: Present participle of yaffle; to chatter or talk incessantly.
• Example: The parrot was yaffling away, mimicking the sounds it heard.

120. Yeasty

• Meaning: Resembling or containing yeast; often used to describe a fermenting smell.
• Example: The yeasty aroma filled the kitchen as the bread dough rose.

121. Yellowish

• Meaning: Having a tinge or slight shade of yellow.
• Example: The yellowish leaves indicated that autumn was approaching.

122. Yellower

• Meaning: Comparative of yellow; more yellow in color.
• Example: The second painting was yellower than the first, with brighter tones.

123. Yell

• Meaning: A loud, sharp cry, especially of pain, fear, or excitement.
• Example: She let out a yell when she saw the spider.

124. Youngly

• Meaning: In a youthful or young manner.
• Example: He still walked youngly, despite his advanced age.

125. Yambean

• Meaning: Another term for jícama, a type of edible tuber.
• Example: The yambean is often used in salads for its crisp texture.

126. Yeomen

• Meaning: Plural of yeoman; members of a social class of small landowners in England.
• Example: The yeomen were known for their loyalty and service to the crown.

127. Yachts

• Meaning: Plural of yacht; luxury boats used for pleasure cruising or racing.
• Example: The harbor was filled with yachts, each more impressive than the last.

128. Yuck

• Meaning: An expression of disgust.
• Example: “Yuck, this milk has gone sour,” she said after taking a sip.

129. Yanks

• Meaning: Plural of yank; pulls with a sudden, strong movement.
• Example: With a few yanks, he managed to free the stuck drawer.

130. Yowled

• Meaning: Past tense of yowl; made a loud, wailing cry.
• Example: The cat yowled loudly, demanding to be let inside.

131. Yarns

• Meaning: Plural of yarn; long, often elaborate stories.
• Example: He was known for spinning entertaining yarns about his travels.

132. Yappy

• Meaning: Inclined to yap or talk noisily; often used to describe small, noisy dogs.
• Example: The yappy little dog barked at every passerby.