Intermediate Words That Start With O

Intermediate Words That Start With O

Enhancing your vocabulary can significantly improve your communication skills, whether you’re writing, speaking, or engaging in everyday conversations. In this blog, we’ll explore a range of intermediate-level words that start with the letter “O.” These words can add depth and nuance to your language, making your expressions more precise and impactful.

List of Intermediate Words That Start With O

Intermediate Words That Start With O with meaning and example

Omit
Meaning: To leave out or exclude.
Example: The editor decided to omit some details from the article to make it more concise.

Oblige
Meaning: To make someone bound to do something, usually by a sense of duty.
Example: I felt obliged to help her since she had been so kind to me.

Observe
Meaning: To watch carefully or notice something.
Example: He observed the changes in the environment over the years.

Occasion
Meaning: A particular time or instance of an event.
Example: The wedding was a grand occasion celebrated with friends and family.

Offend
Meaning: To cause someone to feel upset or hurt.
Example: Her comments about his cooking skills were meant to offend.

Ominous
Meaning: Suggesting that something bad is going to happen.
Example: The dark clouds and sudden drop in temperature were ominous signs of a storm.

Ordinance
Meaning: A law or regulation set by a local authority.
Example: The city council passed an ordinance to regulate noise levels in residential areas.

Optimum
Meaning: The best or most effective condition.
Example: The team aimed to find the optimum solution to the problem.

Origin
Meaning: The point where something begins or comes from.
Example: The origin of the festival dates back to ancient times.

Outline
Meaning: A general description or plan giving the main ideas of something.
Example: She created an outline for her research paper before starting the writing process.

Obstruct
Meaning: To block or prevent something from happening.
Example: The fallen tree obstructed the road, causing a traffic jam.

Offer
Meaning: To present or provide something.
Example: They made an offer to buy the house at a higher price.

Outrage
Meaning: An extreme anger or shock caused by something unfair or wrong.
Example: There was widespread outrage over the company’s unethical practices.

Orchestrate
Meaning: To arrange or direct the elements of a situation to produce a desired effect.
Example: She orchestrated the entire event, from the venue to the entertainment.

Occupy
Meaning: To take up space or time; to be in a place.
Example: The new tenants will occupy the apartment starting next week.

Ordinary
Meaning: Normal or average; not special or unusual.
Example: He led an ordinary life in a small town.

Overcome
Meaning: To succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty.
Example: She managed to overcome her fear of public speaking.

Objective
Meaning: A goal or purpose; also unbiased and not influenced by personal feelings.
Example: The objective of the meeting was to finalize the project details.

Ornament
Meaning: A decoration or accessory.
Example: The Christmas tree was adorned with beautiful ornaments.

Oversee
Meaning: To supervise or manage.
Example: He was hired to oversee the construction of the new building.

Obsession
Meaning: An intense or excessive focus on something.
Example: Her obsession with cleanliness made it difficult for her to relax.

Overlook
Meaning: To fail to notice or consider something.
Example: I must have overlooked that detail in the report.

Oxygen
Meaning: A chemical element essential for respiration and combustion.
Example: Plants produce oxygen through the process of photosynthesis.

Oppose
Meaning: To resist or be against something.
Example: They strongly oppose the new policy introduced by the government.

Outdated
Meaning: No longer useful or current.
Example: The technology used in the system is outdated and needs updating.

Occur
Meaning: To happen or take place.
Example: The accident occurred late at night on the highway.

Obvious
Meaning: Easily understood or perceived; clear.
Example: It was obvious that she was excited about the upcoming trip.

Optimize
Meaning: To make the best or most effective use of something.
Example: The company is looking to optimize its production process.

Operate
Meaning: To control or manage a machine or system; to function.
Example: She knows how to operate the new software system.

Opaque
Meaning: Not able to be seen through; not transparent.
Example: The glass was so dirty that it was almost opaque.

Omnipotent
Meaning: All-powerful; having unlimited power.
Example: The concept of an omnipotent deity is central to many religions.

Offensive
Meaning: Causing someone to feel hurt or insulted.
Example: The joke was considered offensive by many in the audience.

Offhand
Meaning: Casual or informal; not carefully considered.
Example: His offhand remarks about the project were not well received.

Obscene
Meaning: Offensive or disgusting by accepted standards of morality and decency.
Example: The film was rated R for its obscene language and content.

Oppress
Meaning: To keep someone in subservience or hardship, often by unjust use of authority.
Example: The regime was known to oppress its citizens.

Outfit
Meaning: A set of clothes worn together; or a group of people with a common purpose.
Example: She wore a stylish outfit to the party. / The outfit was responsible for organizing the event.

Obscure
Meaning: Not clear or hard to understand; hidden.
Example: The meaning of the ancient text remained obscure to historians.

Overestimate
Meaning: To assess something as being greater than it actually is.
Example: They tend to overestimate the potential benefits of the new policy.

Onset
Meaning: The beginning or start of something.
Example: The onset of winter brought chilly weather and early sunsets.

Outreach
Meaning: The act of extending services or assistance to those in need.
Example: The organization’s outreach program helps underprivileged children.

Obtain
Meaning: To acquire or get something.
Example: He managed to obtain a copy of the rare book.

Overrun
Meaning: To exceed or overflow; to spread over a place.
Example: The project budget was overrun by 20%.

Obligation
Meaning: A duty or commitment that one is bound to fulfill.
Example: She felt a strong obligation to support her family.

Opposition
Meaning: Resistance or dissent; a group that is against something.
Example: The opposition to the new law was vocal and organized.

Overhaul
Meaning: To take apart in order to examine or repair; to make major changes.
Example: The engine was overhauled to improve its performance.

Outburst
Meaning: A sudden release of strong emotion.
Example: His outburst of anger surprised everyone in the meeting.

Outlast
Meaning: To last longer than something else.
Example: The old building is expected to outlast the new construction.

Osmosis
Meaning: The process of gradual or unconscious assimilation of ideas or knowledge.
Example: She learned a lot about the company through osmosis by working closely with her colleagues.

Ornamental
Meaning: Serving or intended as an ornament; decorative.
Example: The garden was full of ornamental plants and sculptures.

Obtrusive
Meaning: Noticeable or prominent in an unwelcome or intrusive way.
Example: The bright neon sign was obtrusive and clashed with the building’s façade.

Onward
Meaning: Moving forward or continuing.
Example: The hikers continued their journey onward despite the rain.

Oppressively
Meaning: In a manner that is harsh or overwhelming.
Example: The heat was oppressively high, making it difficult to breathe.

Overweight
Meaning: Excessively heavy or overweight.
Example: The patient was advised to lose weight to improve her health.

Overjoyed
Meaning: Extremely happy or pleased.
Example: She was overjoyed to receive the news of her promotion.

Oscillate
Meaning: To move back and forth at a regular speed; to fluctuate.
Example: The fan oscillates to distribute air evenly throughout the room.

Outcry
Meaning: A strong expression of protest or anger.
Example: There was an outcry from the public after the controversial decision.

Omission
Meaning: The act of leaving something out or neglecting to do something.
Example: The omission of crucial information in the report led to confusion.

Oblique
Meaning: Not explicit or done in a direct manner; slanting.
Example: His oblique comments about the new policy were difficult to interpret.

Ostracize
Meaning: To exclude or banish someone from a group or society.
Example: He was ostracized by his peers after the scandal.

Optimal
Meaning: Most favorable or advantageous.
Example: The team worked together to find the optimal solution to the problem.

Oblivious
Meaning: Unaware or unconscious of something.
Example: She was oblivious to the fact that her phone had been ringing.

Oversight
Meaning: The action of overseeing something; an error made due to carelessness.
Example: The oversight in the contract led to a costly mistake.

Onslaught
Meaning: A fierce or violent attack.
Example: The city faced an onslaught of criticism after the decision was announced.

Outstanding
Meaning: Exceptional; prominent; unpaid.
Example: Her outstanding performance earned her several awards.

Occasionally
Meaning: At irregular intervals; sometimes.
Example: We occasionally go out for dinner on weekends.

Outstrip
Meaning: To exceed or surpass something.
Example: The company’s growth outstripped all expectations.

Openly
Meaning: In a way that is open and honest.
Example: They discussed the issues openly during the meeting.

Overpower
Meaning: To defeat or overcome by superior force.
Example: The team managed to overpower their opponents in the final match.

Offbeat
Meaning: Unconventional or unusual.
Example: The film’s offbeat humor made it a hit with critics.

Ornate
Meaning: Elaborately decorated or embellished.
Example: The ballroom was decorated with ornate chandeliers and gilded mirrors.

Ordain
Meaning: To officially appoint or establish; to make someone a priest.
Example: She was ordained as a minister after completing her theological studies.

Overtime
Meaning: Time worked beyond regular working hours.
Example: He worked overtime to finish the project before the deadline.

Orchestrated
Meaning: Arranged or directed in a systematic way.
Example: The event was well orchestrated, with every detail carefully planned.

Ornamentation
Meaning: The process or act of decorating or adding embellishments.
Example: The architect’s use of ornamentation gave the building a unique character.

Overexpose
Meaning: To expose something too much, often leading to negative effects.
Example: The artist’s work was overexposed in the media, diminishing its impact.

Ominously
Meaning: In a way that suggests something bad is going to happen.
Example: The sky grew darker and the wind picked up ominously.

Oversized
Meaning: Larger than usual or needed.
Example: She wore an oversized sweater for a cozy, relaxed look.

Open-minded
Meaning: Willing to consider new ideas and perspectives.
Example: He approached the debate with an open-minded attitude.

Ongoing
Meaning: Continuing; still in progress.
Example: The investigation is ongoing and no conclusions have been reached yet.

Overdo
Meaning: To do something to an excessive degree.
Example: She tends to overdo her makeup, making it look unnatural.

Ostracism
Meaning: The act of excluding someone from a group or society.
Example: He faced social ostracism after the scandal broke.

Outgrow
Meaning: To grow too large or mature for something.
Example: The child quickly outgrew her old clothes.

Overwhelm
Meaning: To overpower or affect someone greatly.
Example: She felt overwhelmed by the amount of work she had to complete.

Obtainable
Meaning: Capable of being acquired or attained.
Example: The rare book was obtainable through a specialized dealer.

Offset
Meaning: To counterbalance or compensate for something.
Example: The gains from the investment offset the losses incurred earlier.

Orphan
Meaning: A child whose parents are deceased; to lose one’s parents.
Example: The orphan was placed in a foster home after the accident.

Outrageous
Meaning: Shockingly bad or excessive.
Example: The prices at the new restaurant were outrageous.

Overflow
Meaning: To spill over the edge due to excess.
Example: The river overflowed its banks after the heavy rainfall.

Onerous
Meaning: Burdensome or oppressive.
Example: The new regulations were considered onerous by many small business owners.

Obsessional
Meaning: Relating to an obsession; excessively preoccupied.
Example: His obsessional focus on work left little time for anything else.

Obfuscate
Meaning: To make something unclear or difficult to understand.
Example: The technical jargon served only to obfuscate the report’s findings.

Ominousness
Meaning: The quality of being threatening or suggesting something bad.
Example: The ominousness of the situation was evident from the dark clouds and eerie silence.

Obfuscation
Meaning: The act of making something obscure or difficult to understand.
Example: The lawyer’s use of legal jargon was an example of deliberate obfuscation.

Orchid
Meaning: A type of flowering plant known for its diverse and colorful blooms.
Example: She received a beautiful orchid as a birthday gift.

Overkill
Meaning: Excessive use of force or effort; more than necessary.
Example: The elaborate security measures were considered overkill for the small event.

Obtrude
Meaning: To force oneself into a situation or conversation without invitation.
Example: He tended to obtrude his opinions, often interrupting others.

Overuse
Meaning: To use something excessively.
Example: Overuse of antibiotics can lead to resistance.

Orator
Meaning: A skilled public speaker.
Example: The orator captivated the audience with his eloquent speech.

Oratorical
Meaning: Relating to the art of public speaking.
Example: Her oratorical skills were evident during the keynote address at the conference.

Opulent
Meaning: Rich, luxurious, and lavish.
Example: The hotel was known for its opulent suites and extravagant decor.

Overlooked
Meaning: Failed to notice or consider.
Example: The small typo was overlooked in the final draft.

Orderly
Meaning: Neatly and methodically arranged.
Example: The files were kept in an orderly manner for easy access.

Obstruction
Meaning: Something that blocks or hinders progress.
Example: The fallen tree created an obstruction on the road.

Overheat
Meaning: To become too hot, often causing damage.
Example: The car engine started to overheat during the long drive.

Operation
Meaning: A surgical procedure; a process or function.
Example: The operation was successful, and the patient is recovering well.

Outlandish
Meaning: Extremely unusual or strange.
Example: His outlandish outfit made him stand out in the crowd.

Output
Meaning: The amount of something produced by a person, machine, or system.
Example: The factory’s output has doubled since the new machinery was installed.

Oversimplify
Meaning: To make something seem simpler than it really is.
Example: The article tends to oversimplify the complex issue of climate change.

Ointment
Meaning: A smooth, oily substance applied to the skin for medicinal purposes.
Example: She applied the ointment to the burn to soothe the pain.

Optimism
Meaning: Hopefulness and confidence about the future.
Example: His optimism kept the team motivated during challenging times.

Obsolescent
Meaning: Becoming outdated or no longer in use.
Example: The old technology is now obsolescent with the advent of newer models.

Ooze
Meaning: To slowly flow out, often referring to a liquid.
Example: The wound began to ooze blood after the bandage was removed.

Orthodox
Meaning: Conforming to established beliefs or practices, especially in religion.
Example: They follow an orthodox tradition that has been passed down for generations.

Observation
Meaning: The action or process of closely monitoring something or someone.
Example: Her observation of the patient’s behavior led to an accurate diagnosis.

Objection
Meaning: A reason for disagreeing or opposing something.
Example: The lawyer raised an objection during the testimony.

Offspring
Meaning: A person’s child or children; the young of an animal.
Example: The lioness carefully watched over her offspring.

Optics
Meaning: The way something is perceived by the public; also, the branch of physics dealing with light.
Example: The company’s decision had poor optics and led to public backlash.

Overdose
Meaning: An excessive and dangerous dose of a drug or medication.
Example: He was rushed to the hospital after a suspected drug overdose.

Outward
Meaning: Relating to the outside or external appearance.
Example: Despite his outward calm, he was deeply anxious inside.

Outcome
Meaning: The result or effect of an action or event.
Example: The outcome of the election was unexpected by many.

Onyx
Meaning: A type of gemstone with alternating bands of color.
Example: She wore a beautiful necklace adorned with onyx stones.

Outspoken
Meaning: Frank and direct in expressing opinions.
Example: He is known for being outspoken about his political views.

Obituary
Meaning: A notice of a person’s death, often with a short biography.
Example: The obituary in the newspaper highlighted his contributions to the community.

Outrageously
Meaning: Shockingly or excessively; in a way that is beyond the norm.
Example: The artist’s work was outrageously bold and defied convention.

Overreach
Meaning: To extend beyond one’s limits or capabilities, often leading to failure.
Example: The company’s ambitious plans ultimately caused it to overreach.

Oratory
Meaning: The art of public speaking, especially in a formal and eloquent manner.
Example: The politician’s oratory skills were impressive and won him many supporters.

Overeating
Meaning: Eating more food than the body needs, often leading to discomfort.
Example: Overeating during the holidays is a common issue for many people.

Overflowing
Meaning: Being so full that the contents spill over the edges.
Example: The river was overflowing after the heavy rains.

Orchidaceous
Meaning: Resembling or related to orchids; showy or ostentatious.
Example: The garden was filled with orchidaceous plants in various colors.

Organize
Meaning: To arrange or structure something systematically.
Example: She helped organize the event to ensure everything went smoothly.

Outwardly
Meaning: On the surface or in appearance.
Example: He was outwardly calm, but inside, he was filled with nervous energy.

Overact
Meaning: To act in an exaggerated manner, often to an unrealistic degree.
Example: The actor tended to overact in emotional scenes, making them less believable.

Obscurity
Meaning: The state of being unknown or forgotten.
Example: The artist lived in obscurity for many years before gaining recognition.

Overjoy
Meaning: To be extremely happy or filled with joy.
Example: She was overjoyed when she heard the news of her promotion.

Ostrich
Meaning: A large flightless bird known for its long legs and neck.
Example: The ostrich ran swiftly across the savannah, evading predators.

Overextend
Meaning: To stretch oneself too thin or take on more than one can handle.
Example: He overextended himself by taking on too many projects at once.

Outperform
Meaning: To do better than others in a particular task or activity.
Example: The company’s new product outperformed all expectations in the market.

Odious
Meaning: Extremely unpleasant or repulsive.
Example: The smell coming from the garbage was odious and made everyone feel sick.

Overarching
Meaning: Including or influencing every part of something; all-encompassing.
Example: The overarching theme of the novel is the struggle between good and evil.

Overbearing
Meaning: Unpleasantly domineering or controlling.
Example: Her overbearing attitude made it difficult for others to work with her.

Overdue
Meaning: Not having been done, paid, or returned by the expected time.
Example: The library book was long overdue and needed to be returned immediately.

Overachieve
Meaning: To perform better or achieve more than expected.
Example: She tends to overachieve in all her academic pursuits.

Ocelot
Meaning: A small wild cat native to South and Central America.
Example: The ocelot is known for its beautiful, spotted coat.

Outlay
Meaning: An amount of money spent for a particular purpose.
Example: The initial outlay for the project was higher than anticipated.

Overrate
Meaning: To assess or think of something as better or more important than it really is.
Example: The movie was overrated and didn’t live up to the hype.

Onlookers
Meaning: People who watch something without participating.
Example: The onlookers gathered around the scene of the accident.

Obligatory
Meaning: Required by a legal, moral, or other rule; compulsory.
Example: Attendance at the meeting is obligatory for all staff members.

Obviate
Meaning: To remove a need or difficulty; to avoid or prevent.
Example: The new security system should obviate the need for additional guards.

Overseas
Meaning: In or to a foreign country, especially one across the sea.
Example: He was sent overseas for a year to work on an international project.

Omnivorous
Meaning: Eating both plant and animal matter.
Example: Bears are omnivorous, feeding on both plants and small animals.

Overhang
Meaning: Something that extends over something else; a looming threat.
Example: The cliff had a dangerous overhang that made the path treacherous.

Officious
Meaning: Assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, especially with regard to petty or trivial matters.
Example: The officious security guard wouldn’t let anyone pass without extensive questioning.

Oligarchy
Meaning: A small group of people having control of a country or organization.
Example: The country was run by an oligarchy, with power concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy families.

Obscurely
Meaning: In a way that is not clearly seen or understood; vaguely.
Example: The instructions were written so obscurely that no one could follow them.

Oscillation
Meaning: Movement back and forth at a regular speed.
Example: The oscillation of the fan kept the room cool.

Obliging
Meaning: Willing to do a service or kindness; helpful.
Example: The waiter was very obliging and made sure we had everything we needed.

Outcast
Meaning: A person who has been rejected by society or a social group.
Example: He felt like an outcast in his new school where he knew no one.

Oration
Meaning: A formal speech, especially one given on a ceremonial occasion.
Example: The president’s oration at the inauguration was met with great applause.

Opponents
Meaning: People who compete against or fight with each other in a contest, game, or argument.
Example: The opponents faced off in a heated debate.

Outlaw
Meaning: A person who has broken the law, especially one who remains at large.
Example: The notorious outlaw was finally captured after years on the run.

Outnumber
Meaning: To be more numerous than.
Example: The home team was outnumbered by the visiting fans in the stadium.

Omnipresent
Meaning: Present everywhere at the same time.
Example: The sense of danger was omnipresent throughout the war-torn city.

Opulence
Meaning: Great wealth or luxuriousness.
Example: The palace was a symbol of opulence, with its golden chandeliers and marble floors.

Orgy
Meaning: A wild party, especially one involving excessive drinking and unrestrained sexual activity.
Example: The scandal was fueled by rumors of an orgy at the celebrity’s mansion.

Occupational
Meaning: Relating to a job or profession.
Example: The company offers occupational health services to all its employees.

Overpass
Meaning: A bridge that carries one road or railway over another.
Example: The overpass was constructed to ease traffic congestion in the city.

Oscillations
Meaning: Repeated back-and-forth movements or variations.
Example: The oscillations of the pendulum were measured to determine the clock’s accuracy.

Officiously
Meaning: In an assertive or authoritative way that is often annoying or unwanted.
Example: The manager officiously ordered everyone to stop what they were doing and listen to him.

Organism
Meaning: An individual living thing, such as an animal, plant, or bacterium.
Example: The scientist studied the organism to understand how it survived in extreme conditions.

Outlook
Meaning: A person’s point of view or general attitude toward life.
Example: His positive outlook on life made him popular among his peers.

Intermediate Words That Start With O