Foundational/Elementary words that begin with O

Foundational/Elementary words that begin with O

The letter O makes a round sound! Let’s discover some fun words that begin with it.

List of Elementary words that begin with O

Foundational/Elementary words that begin with O with meanings and example

Oak: A large tree that produces acorns.

• Example: The old oak tree in the backyard is over 100 years old.

Oar: A tool used for rowing a boat.

• Example: She rowed the boat with a single oar.

Oat: A cereal plant cultivated for its grain.

• Example: Oats are often used to make breakfast cereals.

Oath: A solemn promise.

• Example: He took an oath to tell the truth in court.

Obey: To follow commands or instructions.

• Example: Children are taught to obey their parents and teachers.

Object: A thing that can be seen and touched.

• Example: She placed the object on the table.

Oblige: To make someone legally or morally bound to do something.

• Example: I was obliged to help them due to our friendship.

Observe: To watch carefully.

• Example: She likes to observe the stars at night.

Obtain: To get or acquire something.

• Example: You need to obtain permission before entering.

Ocean: A large body of saltwater.

• Example: The Atlantic Ocean is vast and deep.

Octopus: A sea animal with eight arms.

• Example: The octopus hid among the rocks.

Odd: Strange or unusual.

• Example: It was odd to see a cat and a dog playing together.

Offer: To present something for acceptance.

• Example: He made an offer to buy the house.

Office: A place where people work at desks doing business or professional activities.

• Example: She works in an office downtown.

Officer: A person with a position of authority in the military or police.

• Example: The officer directed traffic at the busy intersection.

Oil: A liquid used as fuel or lubricant.

• Example: The car needs an oil change.

Old: Having lived for a long time; not young.

• Example: The old man shared stories from his youth.

Olive: A small fruit used for its oil.

• Example: She garnished the salad with olives.

On: In contact with and supported by a surface.

• Example: The book is on the table.

Once: One time.

• Example: She has only been to Paris once.

One: The number after zero.

• Example: One apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Open: Not closed or blocked.

• Example: Please open the door.

Opera: A dramatic work set to music.

• Example: They went to see an opera at the theater.

Opinion: A belief or view about something.

• Example: Everyone has a different opinion on the matter.

Opportunity: A set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.

• Example: She seized the opportunity to travel abroad.

Orange: A citrus fruit or a color.

• Example: He peeled an orange for a snack.

Order: An arrangement or sequence.

• Example: The books are in alphabetical order.

Ordinary: With no special or distinctive features; normal.

• Example: It was just an ordinary day at the office.

Organ: A part of an organism that performs a specific function.

• Example: The heart is an essential organ in the body.

Other: Additional or different.

• Example: She had no other choice but to wait.

Out: Moving away from a place.

• Example: He walked out of the room.

Outside: The outer side or surface.

• Example: She waited outside the building.

Over: Extending directly upward from.

• Example: The plane flew over the mountains.

Owl: A nocturnal bird of prey with large eyes.

• Example: The owl hooted in the night.

Own: Belonging to oneself or itself.

• Example: She has her own car.

Oval: Having the shape of an egg or ellipse.

• Example: The table had an oval shape.

Outing: A short trip or excursion.

• Example: They went on a family outing to the zoo.

Outrun: To run faster than someone or something else.

• Example: He managed to outrun the other competitors.

Outfit: A set of clothes worn together.

• Example: She chose a new outfit for the party.

Output: The amount of something produced.

• Example: The factory increased its output of goods.

Outlaw: A person who has broken the law and is hiding to avoid punishment.

• Example: The sheriff was determined to catch the outlaw.

Outcry: A strong expression of public disapproval.

• Example: There was an outcry against the new law.

Outgrow: To grow too big for something.

• Example: She had outgrown her old clothes.

Outset: The beginning or start.

• Example: From the outset, they knew it would be a challenging project.

Outreach: The extent or length of reaching out.

• Example: The charity’s outreach program helped many people.

Outdated: No longer current or relevant.

• Example: His information was outdated and no longer accurate.

Overcome: To succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty.

• Example: She managed to overcome her fears.

Overlap: To extend over and cover part of.

• Example: The two circles overlap in the middle.

Overload: To put too much load or demand on something.

• Example: The electrical circuit was overloaded.

Oversee: To supervise or manage.

• Example: He was hired to oversee the project.

Overpass: A bridge that allows one road to cross over another.

• Example: They built an overpass to ease traffic congestion.

Overcast: Covered with clouds; gloomy.

• Example: The sky was overcast all day.

Overjoyed: Extremely happy.

• Example: She was overjoyed to hear the good news.

Overthrow: To remove forcibly from power.

• Example: The rebels aimed to overthrow the government.

Overeating: Eating too much.

• Example: Overeating can lead to health problems.

Outlawed: Made illegal.

• Example: The new regulations outlawed certain substances.

Overworked: Working too much or too hard.

• Example: The employees were overworked and needed a break.

Overestimate: To estimate too highly.

• Example: He tends to overestimate his abilities.

Outrage: An extremely strong reaction of anger or shock.

• Example: The decision caused public outrage.

Overhead: Above the level of the head.

• Example: The ceiling fan was spinning overhead.

Overdo: To do something to an excessive degree.

• Example: Don’t overdo it at the gym.

Overweight: Weighing more than is considered healthy.

• Example: He was advised to lose weight because he was overweight.

Outskirts: The outer areas of a city or town.

• Example: They live on the outskirts of the city.

Omit: To leave out or exclude.

• Example: You should not omit important details from your report.

Occupy: To reside or take control of.

• Example: The soldiers were ordered to occupy the town.

Octagon: A shape with eight sides and eight angles.

• Example: The stop sign is shaped like an octagon.

Offset: To counterbalance or compensate for.

• Example: The gains offset the losses.

Onward: Moving forward or continuing.

• Example: The journey continued onward through the night.

Original: The first or earliest form of something.

• Example: She had the original copy of the manuscript.

Overuse: To use something too much.

• Example: The overuse of antibiotics can lead to resistance.

Offend: To cause someone to feel upset or annoyed.

• Example: She didn’t mean to offend anyone with her comments.

Obstacle: Something that blocks or hinders progress.

• Example: They had to overcome many obstacles to succeed.

Outfitters: Stores that sell clothing and equipment.

• Example: They went to the outfitters to buy camping gear.

Outlast: To last longer than.

• Example: The durable battery can outlast other brands.

Occupation: A job or profession.

• Example: He listed his occupation as a teacher.

Overbearing: Unpleasantly overpowering.

• Example: Her overbearing attitude made her difficult to work with.

Optics: The study of light and vision.

• Example: He studied optics in college.

Oasis: A fertile spot in a desert where water is found.

• Example: They found an oasis after days of travel in the desert.

Overpower: To defeat or overcome with superior strength.

• Example: The team managed to overpower their opponents.

Outboard: Mounted on the outside.

• Example: The boat was equipped with an outboard motor.

Ozone: A form of oxygen found in the Earth’s stratosphere.

• Example: The ozone layer protects us from harmful UV rays.

Octagonal: Having eight sides and eight angles.

• Example: The building had an octagonal tower.

Outburst: A sudden release of strong emotion.

• Example: She had an outburst of anger during the meeting.

Offbeat: Unconventional or unusual.

• Example: He has an offbeat sense of humor.

Overlook: To fail to notice something.

• Example: She didn’t want to overlook any details.

Overrun: To spread over or occupy in large numbers.

• Example: The garden was overrun with weeds.

Outage: A period when service is not available.

• Example: The power outage lasted for several hours.

Outer: Situated on the outside.

• Example: The outer walls of the castle were made of stone.

Obvious: Easily perceived or understood; clear.

• Example: It was obvious that she was upset.

Outlook: A person’s view or attitude toward life.

• Example: He has a positive outlook on life.

Offspring: A person’s child or children.

• Example: The animal was protecting its offspring.

Overexert: To exert oneself excessively.

• Example: He was advised not to overexert himself after the surgery.

Overindulge: To allow oneself to have too much of something enjoyable.

• Example: It’s easy to overindulge during the holidays.

Outpour: To flow out rapidly.

• Example: Emotions began to outpour after the announcement.

Overachieve: To perform better than expected.

• Example: She tends to overachieve in all her academic subjects.

Outshine: To be much better than someone or something else.

• Example: She managed to outshine all her competitors.

Outnumber: To be greater in number.

• Example: The enemy forces outnumbered ours.

Obligation: A duty or commitment.

• Example: He felt an obligation to help his friend.

Overwhelm: To overpower or deeply affect.

• Example: She was overwhelmed with gratitude.

Oversleep: To sleep longer than intended.

• Example: He missed the bus because he overslept.

Outlandish: Very strange or unusual.

• Example: She wore an outlandish outfit to the party.

Oarsman: A person who rows a boat.

• Example: The oarsman skillfully navigated the river.

Overdose: An excessive and dangerous dose of a drug.

• Example: The doctor warned about the risks of an overdose.

Obscure: Not well known or difficult to understand.

• Example: The poet’s work is quite obscure.

Overwatch: To keep watch over.

• Example: The soldiers were on overwatch duty.

Overlooked: Failed to notice or consider.

• Example: The detail was overlooked in the final report.

Outspoken: Speaking freely or boldly.

• Example: She is known for being outspoken about her beliefs.

Outclass: To be far superior to.

• Example: Their performance outclassed all others.

Obsession: An idea or thought that continually preoccupies a person’s mind.

• Example: His obsession with cleanliness was well-known.

Overcooked: Cooked too much.

• Example: The meat was dry because it was overcooked.

Outfitted: Provided with equipment or clothes.

• Example: They were outfitted for the expedition.

Overwork: To work too much.

• Example: He had to overwork to meet the deadline.

Overcoat: A long coat worn over other clothes.

• Example: She put on her overcoat before stepping outside.

Outbuild: To build better or more than.

• Example: They plan to outbuild their competition.

Overdue: Not done or happening when expected.

• Example: The library books are overdue.

Occupied: Being used or filled by someone.

• Example: The restroom is currently occupied.

Overdressed: Dressed too formally or elaborately.

• Example: She felt overdressed for the casual event.

Overhang: To extend or hang over something.

• Example: The cliff overhangs the beach.

Overreach: To stretch out too far.

• Example: He tends to overreach his authority.

Overactive: More active than normal.

• Example: The child has an overactive imagination.

Outstretch: To extend to full length.

• Example: He tried to outstretch his arm to reach the shelf.

Outsmart: To gain an advantage over by using cunning or skill.

• Example: She managed to outsmart her opponents.

Ominous: Giving the impression that something bad is going to happen.

• Example: The dark clouds looked ominous.

Overwrought: In a state of nervous excitement or anxiety.

• Example: She became overwrought after hearing the news.

Outright: Completely or openly.

• Example: He denied the accusation outright.

Outnumbered: To be more in number than.

• Example: The defenders were outnumbered by the attackers.

Outgrown: Grown too big for something.

• Example: He has outgrown his old shoes.

Overblown: Excessively inflated or exaggerated.

• Example: The story was overblown in the media.

Overheated: Too hot.

• Example: The engine overheated during the long drive.

Overreact: To react too strongly.

• Example: He tends to overreact to minor problems.

Obscured: Hidden or made less visible.

• Example: The view was obscured by fog.

Outlawing: Making illegal.

• Example: The new policy is aimed at outlawing smoking in public places.

Outscore: To score more points than.

• Example: The team managed to outscore their rivals.

Overabundant: More than is needed.

• Example: The harvest was overabundant this year.

Overpowering: Very strong or intense.

• Example: The smell of garlic was overpowering.

Overcompensate: To make more than the necessary correction.

• Example: He tried to overcompensate for his previous mistakes.

Overheat: To become too hot.

• Example: The computer will overheat if it is left on too long.

Overexcited: Too excited.

• Example: The children were overexcited about the trip.

Overachiever: A person who achieves more than is expected.

• Example: She is known as an overachiever at school.

Overpowered: Defeated or overcome with superior strength.

• Example: The soldiers were overpowered by the enemy.

Outpouring: A large amount of something that flows out suddenly.

• Example: There was an outpouring of support for the victims.

Overeat: To eat too much.

• Example: It’s easy to overeat during the holidays.

Overeager: Excessively eager.

• Example: His overeager approach to the project led to mistakes.

Overly: To an excessive degree.

• Example: She was overly cautious in her driving.

Overstepped: Went beyond the proper limits.

• Example: He overstepped his authority by making that decision.

Overcharge: To charge too much.

• Example: The store was accused of overcharging its customers.

Overexerted: Worked or exercised too hard.

• Example: He was exhausted because he had overexerted himself.

Foundational/Elementary words that begin with O