Open your heart and mind to an amazing collection of some verbs that start with O! These verbs that begin with O will give you that optimal oomph towards outrageously optimistic actions done in your daily life.
In English alphabets, the letter O is a fascinating letter and also one of the most commonly used letters in the English language. From obey to offend, list of O-verbs provide a certain level of fancy to our writing and speech in daily life. They can be a breeding place for a beginner of English language.
Adding verbs that start with O to your daily affirmations, in your poems, when playing word games, sending texts to those you care about and writing in greeting cards will help to spread some smiles and happiness. This will also increase your confidence and is an important bunch which can help you improve your English language skills.
Choose your words carefully and wisely. With that in mind, here is the most comprehensive list of outstanding action words starting with O. If you’re looking for a way to boost your ever increasing vocabulary, look through this list of verbs that start with O and use them until everyone around you is oozing with over-flowing joy!
Table of Contents
Verbs That Start with O You Always Use
Learning the most frequent English verbs makes tactical sense when you’re starting to learn the language. Let’s stroll down through an amazing list of some commonly used verbs that start with O:
1. Obey
- Definition: submit to the authority of (someone) or comply with (a law)
- Synonyms: heed, bow to, observe
- Example: I always obey my father.
2. Observe
- Definition: notice or perceive (something) and register it as being significant
- Synonyms: notice, perceive, discover
- Example: She observed that all the chairs were already occupied.
3. Obtain
- Definition: get, acquire, or secure (something)
- Synonyms: get, acquire, come by
- Example: Further details can be obtained by writing to the above address.
4. Occur
- Definition: happen; take place
- Synonyms: come about, materialize, arise
- Example: The accident occurred at about 3.30 p.m.
5. Offer
- Definition: present or proffer (something) for (someone) to accept or reject as desired
- Synonyms: put forward, provide, give
- Example: May I offer you a drink?
6. Open
- Definition: move (a door or window) so as to leave a space allowing access and vision
- Synonyms: unlock, unfasten, unlatch
- Example: She opened the door and went in.
7. Operate
- Definition: (of a person) control the functioning of (a machine, process, or system)
- Synonyms: work, run, use
- Example: The airline operates flights to 25 countries.
8. Overload
- Definition: load with too great a burden or cargo
- Synonyms: overburden, overcharge, encumber
- Example: The lights went out because the system was overloaded.
9. Order
- Definition: give an authoritative instruction to do something
- Synonyms: instruct, command, direct
- Example: She ordered me to leave.
10. Option
- Definition: buy or sell an option on
- Synonyms: choice, preference, election
- Example: The novel was optioned for the screen by his production company.
Verbs That Start with O You Usually Use
The most common English verbs-words expressing an action like “to eat” or a state like “to be”, should be at the top of your list. Below, there is a list of some verbs starting with O you should begin with and the best if you’re studying English as beginners.
1. Object
- Definition: say something to express one’s opposition to or disagreement with something
- Synonyms: oppose, take issue with, have a problem with
- Example: He objected that the police had arrested him without sufficient evidence.
2. Organize
- Definition: arrange systematically; order
- Synonyms: arrange, order, assemble
- Example: We’ll organize this business into two separate companies.
3. Overcome
- Definition: succeed in dealing with (a problem or difficulty)
- Synonyms: control, tame, master
- Example: He overcame his pain for a time.
4. Obstruct
- Definition: block (an opening, path, road, etc.); be or get in the way of
- Synonyms: shut off, block, jam
- Example: It is an offence to obstruct the police during the course of their duty.
5. Offend
- Definition: cause to feel upset, annoyed, or resentful
- Synonyms: affront, upset, displease
- Example: He looked offended when you called him middle-aged.
6. Omit
- Definition: leave out or exclude (someone or something), either intentionally or forgetfully
- Synonyms: leave out, exclude, shut out
- Example: He was omitted from the second test.
7. Opt
- Definition: make a choice from a range of possibilities
- Synonyms: choose, select, pick
- Example: Consumers will opt for low-priced goods.
8. Optimize
- Definition: make the best or most effective use of (a situation or resource)
- Synonyms: boost, develop, heighten
- Example: We manage our time so that we optimize our productivity.
9. Overhaul
- Definition: take apart (a piece of machinery or equipment) in order to examine it and repair it if necessary
- Synonyms: service, maintain, repair
- Example: The mechanic overhauled the car’s engine.
10. Overflow
- Definition: (especially of a liquid) flow over the brim of a receptacle
- Synonyms: surplus, flood, surfeit
- Example: The river overflowed its banks.
Verbs That Start with O You Often Use
There’s good news as you start learning (or revising) the most useful English verbs: many are very simple and easy to memorize. Review some of these verbs beginning with O in the following list and boost your ever increasing vocabulary.
1. Own
- Definition: have (something) as one’s own; possess
- Synonyms: possess, keep, hold
- Example: His father owns a restaurant.
2. Occasion
- Definition: cause (something)
- Synonyms: cause, give rise to
- Example: The injury was believed to have occasioned his death.
3. Ought
- Definition: used to indicate duty or correctness, typically when criticizing someone’s actions
- Synonyms: must, have to
- Example: Your sister ought to clean up this mess.
4. Overlap
- Definition: extend over so as to cover partly
- Synonyms: lap, overlay, overspread
- Example: The floor was overlapped with sheets of newspaper.
5. Overprice
- Definition: charge too high a price for
- Synonyms: overrate, overvalue, inflate
- Example: Everything in the store is grossly overpriced.
6. Overweight
- Definition: put too much weight on; overload
- Synonyms: overburden, overcharge
- Example: Try not to overweight the boxes.
7. Oversee
- Definition: supervise (a person or their work), especially in an official capacity
- Synonyms: look after, supervise, firect
- Example: We’ve just appointed a coordinator who will oversee the whole project.
8. Obligate
- Definition: require or compel (someone) to undertake a legal or moral duty
- Synonyms: oblige, compel, commit
- Example: The contract obligates you to pay monthly.
9. Overheat
- Definition: make or become too hot
- Synonyms: superheat, warm, reheat
- Example: My car got overheated during the long journey.
10. Orchestrate
- Definition: arrange or score (music) for orchestral performance
- Synonyms: arrange, adapt, score
- Example: She orchestrated the entire event.
Verbs That Start with O You Sometimes Use
As a matter of fact, vocabulary – rather than pronunciation or grammar – is probably the most difficult aspect of learning English language. With that in mind, here is a list of the sometimes used verbs starting with letter O for English learners.
1. Orient
- Definition: to direct (something, such as a book or film) toward the interests of a particular group
- Synonyms: accustom, acquaint, familiarize
- Example: The program is intended to orient students toward a career in medicine.
2. Ordain
- Definition: make (someone) a priest or minister; confer holy orders on
- Synonyms: appoint, induct, install
- Example: He was ordained a minister before entering Parliament.
3. Objectify
- Definition: to treat as an object or cause to have objective reality
- Synonyms: disapproving, depersonalize
- Example: They believe that beauty pageants objectify women.
4. Outgrow
- Definition: grow faster or taller than
- Synonyms: develop, grow
- Example: The more vigorous plants outgrow their weaker neighbours.
5. Occupy
- Definition: reside or have one’s place of business in (a building)
- Synonyms: inhabited, settled, live in
- Example: He occupies an office on the 12th floor.
6. Overcook
- Definition: cook too much or for too long
- Synonyms: burnt, chewy, charred
- Example: Do not overcook meat or it will be chewy.
7. Ossify
- Definition: become rigid or fixed in attitude or position; cease developing
Synonyms: harden, stagnate, rigidify
- Example: Our political system has ossified.
8. Outsource
- Definition: obtain (goods or a service) by contract from an outside supplier
- Synonyms: subcontracting, outward, offshoring
- Example: We outsource all our computing work.
9. Overrate
- Definition: have a higher opinion of (someone or something) than is deserved
- Synonyms: overestimate, overvalue, oversell
- Example: His father greatly overrated his abilities.
10. Officiate
- Definition: act as an official in charge of something, especially a sporting event
- Synonyms: take charge, direct, supervise
- Example: A referee from a neutral country will officiate at the competition.
Verbs That Start with O You Occasionally Use
A good vocabulary signals a good mind. That’s useful whether you’re a helping professional or not, in your work life and outside. We’ve gathered below a list of some occasionally used verb words that start with O for you:
1. Oblige
- Definition: make (someone) legally or morally bound to do something
- Synonyms: require, compel, bind
- Example: Her job obliges her to work overtime and on weekends.
2. Obscure
- Definition: keep from being seen; conceal
- Synonyms: hide, conceal, cover
- Example: His face was partially obscured by sunglasses.
3. Obsess
- Definition: preoccupy or fill the mind of (someone) continually and to a troubling extent
- Synonyms: possess, haunt, consume
- Example: He was obsessed with the idea of revenge.
4. Oppress
- Definition: keep (someone) in subjection and hardship, especially by the unjust exercise of authority
- Synonyms: persecute, abuse, maltreat
- Example: For years now, the people have been oppressed by a ruthless dictator.
5. Originate
- Definition: to happen or appear for the first time in a particular place or situation
- Synonyms: arise, derive, begin
- Example: The disease is thought to have originated in the tropics.
6. Outsmart
- Definition: defeat or get the better of (someone) by being clever or cunning
- Synonyms: outplay, outwit, make a fool of
- Example: The hero is invariably outsmarted by the heroine.
7. Outpace
- Definition: go, rise, or improve faster than
- Synonyms: excel, outperform, outrun
- Example: He outpaced all six defenders.
8. Orientate
- Definition: to aim something at someone or something, or make something suitable for a particular group of people
- Synonyms: orient, initiate, introduce
- Example: It is essential that the public sector orientates itself more towards the consumer.
9. Offset
- Definition: counteract (something) by having an equal and opposite force or effect
- Synonyms: counteract, balance, equalize
- Example: The loss was partially offset by increases in revenues elsewhere.
10. Overthrow
- Definition: remove forcibly from power
- Synonyms: bring down, topple, unseat
- Example: He said that Allende’s government in Chile was overthrown by the army and the CIA in 1973.
Verbs That Start with O You Seldom Use
Another plus for a good vocabulary is that on encountering uncommon words while reading, you’re less likely to need to stop to look it up. Let’s glance over a list of these rare action verbs starting with O and see how you can use them in your daily life.
1. Obfuscate
- Definition: make obscure, unclear, or unintelligible
- Synonyms: confuse, muddle, complicate
- Example: They are obfuscating the issue, as only insurance companies can.
2. Ogle
- Definition: stare at in a lecherous manner
- Synonyms: make sheep’s eye at, give someone the glad eye
- Example: He was ogling her breasts.
3. Oink
- Definition: to make the noise that a pig makes
- Synonyms: squeal, fink
- Example: He came up to the fence and oinked a little bit.
4. Ooze
- Definition: (of a fluid) slowly trickle or seep out of something
- Synonyms: seep, discharge, flow
- Example: Blood was oozing from a wound in his scalp.
5. Opine
- Definition: hold and state as one’s opinion
- Synonyms: suggest, submit, propose
- Example: ‘The man is a genius,’ he opined.
6. Oust
- Definition: drive out or expel (someone) from a position or place
- Synonyms: expel, throw out, force out
- Example: The rebels ousted the dictator from power.
7. Owe
- Definition: have an obligation to pay or repay (something, especially money) in return for something received
- Synonyms: be in debt
- Example: We still owe $1,000 on our car.
8. Outwit
- Definition: deceive by greater ingenuity
- Synonyms: outplay, outfox
- Example: They thought they had outwitted the new teacher.
9. Overdo
- Definition: do, use, or carry to excess; exaggerate
- Synonyms: overstate, overplay, dramatize
- Example: Don’t overdo the salt in this recipe.
10. Outlaw
- Definition: ban or make illegal
- Synonyms: ban, prohibit, forbid
- Example: That type of gun was outlawed last year.
Positive Verbs That Start with O
We think in words and by those words, we live our lives. The words we think about shape everything from our actions to our feelings. We can expand our minds by growing our vocabulary. Let’s dive in the sea of verbs and pluck few positive verbs that start with O in the below list:
1. Orbit
- Definition: to travel completely around
- Synonyms: circle, compass, girdle
- Example: The moon orbits the Earth.
2. Orate
- Definition: make a speech, especially pompously or at length
- Synonyms: declaim, speak, sermonize
- Example: He orated with more bemusement than anger at President Bush.
3. Oscillate
- Definition: move or swing back and forth in a regular rhythm
- Synonyms: swing, sway
- Example: My emotions oscillate between desperation and hope.
4. Outfit
- Definition: provide with a set of clothes
- Synonyms: provision, supply, equip
- Example: The organization was outfitting every family with shoes.
5. Outbrave
- Definition: face (something) with a show of brave defiance
- Synonyms: combat, fight, oppose
- Example: The Duke sat outfacing his accusers, and outbraving their accusations.
6. Outshine
- Definition: be much better than (someone) in a particular area
- Synonyms: surpass, excel, outclass
- Example: Jesse has begun to outshine me in sports.
7. Overjoy
- Definition: to fill with great joy, cause to rejoice
- Synonyms: elate, cheer, enchant
- Example: That book of Paulo Coelho overjoyed me when I read it.
8. Outclass
- Definition: be far superior to
- Synonyms: surpass, overshadow, eclipse
- Example: Villa totally outclassed us in the first half.
9. Oil
- Definition: lubricate, coat, or impregnate with oil
- Synonyms: lubricate, grease, lube
- Example: I’ll oil that gate for you tomorrow.
10. Okay
- Definition: give approval to
- Synonyms: authorize, approve, sanction
- Example: We are all wondering why the government is suddenly okaying a brand new school on the island.
Verbs That Start with O to Describe a Person
When speaking or writing in the English language you are going to need to use descriptive O verbs. You may be in desperate need to add some new ones to your vocabulary. If that’s the case, then you’re in the right place! Here we will be sharing with you, some of the most common descriptive verbs that start with O to describe a person:
1. Outperform
- Definition: perform better than
- Synonyms: better, exceed, outmatch
- Example: An experienced employee will outperform the novice.
2. Outreach
- Definition: reach further than
- Synonyms: excel, exceed, surpass
- Example: The singer’s talent outreaches the dull songs she is asked to perform.
3. Overfeed
- Definition: give too much food to
- Synonyms: glutted, overfull, overstuffed
- Example: You cannot overfeed a kitten so don’t be afraid to give her too much.
4. Overwhelm
- Definition: have a strong emotional effect on
- Synonyms: impress, effect, stir
- Example: I was overwhelmed with guilt.
5. Overburden
- Definition: load (someone) with too many things to carry
- Synonyms: overload, muck, overlying
- Example: They were overburdened with luggage.
6. Overpower
- Definition: defeat or overcome with superior strength
- Synonyms: master, control, suppress
- Example: Don’t let your emotions overpower you!
7. Oppose
- Definition: disagree with and attempt to prevent, especially by argument
- Synonyms: resist, repel, withstand
- Example: We would vigorously oppose such a policy.
8. Overexcite
- Definition: excite excessively
- Synonyms: crazed, flipped, excited
- Example: Don’t get the children overexcited just before bedtime.
9. Oversaturate
- Definition: to saturate to an excessive degree
- Synonyms: replete, satiated, stuffed
- Example: Even in the severe weather, we were oversaturated with customers.
10. Overact
- Definition: (of an actor or actress) act a role in an exaggerated manner
- Synonyms: exaggerate, pile it on
- Example: He overacts the part of the loving husband.
Verbs That Start with O – Full List (200+)
- Outfight
- Outline
- Obstinate
- Opt
- Offend
- Obsess
- Outnumber
- Outshine
- Overstretch
- Officiate
- Overwrite
- Orientalize
- Overdramatize
- Odorize
- Outbrave
- Opalize
- Outmode
- Obligate
- Overlap
- Ostentate
- Obtain
- Outmanoeuvre
- Overdraw
- Overreach
- Occidentalize
- Overrule
- Overcook
- Own
- Overfeed
- Oversew
- Omit
- Ornament
- Overclothe
- Outride
- Outguess
- Outflank
- Outperform
- Outlast
- Overcast
- Overexcite
- Oversaturate
- Oversleep
- Overprotect
- Order
- Oppose
- Outface
- Outgo
- Overreact
- Overemphasize
- Originate
- Open
- Oil
- Overact
- Overestimate
- Obfuscate
- Ovulate
- Overload
- Overachieve
- Overstuff
- Overfly
- Outrun
- Outroar
- Oxygenate
- Outplay
- Overstay
- Overproduce
- Outsource
- Outstrip
- Overvalue
- Obnubilate
- Ordinate
- Overdose
- Overshoot
- Oust
- Overcrop
- Overprint
- Outshout
- Overboil
- Overshadow
- Overcompensate
- Overtake
- Overeat
- Ovenbake
- Obstipate
- Overindulge
- Outrange
- Overstock
- Outmaneuver
- Oversupply
- Overawe
- Ooze
- Overwork
- Outcrop
- Oversee
- Obliterate
- Overextend
- Outsmart
- Occult
- Outlive
- Orient
- Outsell
- Ostracize
- Outmarch
- Overweary
- Occupy
- Organize
- Objurgate
- Overhaul
- Occasion
- Outweigh
- Oppress
- Outbid
- Outwit
- Overcultivate
- Output
- Outscore
- Oblige
- Overarch
- Outdraw
- Overrefine
- Obviate
- Orientate
- Overplay
- Offload
- Oversimplify
- Overtrump
- Obey
- Oscillate
- Oxidate
- Oxidize
- Overflow
- Oppugn
- Overgorge
- Orate
- Obturate
- Outcry
- Overstress
- Overbalance
- Overdress
- Overgeneralize
- Opsonize
- Overstep
- Overbid
- Outdistance
- Overfatigue
- Overthrow
- Orchestrate
- Overburden
- Overlook
- Opine
- Occur
- Overpay
- Obtund
- Ok
- Override
- Orphan
- Overhear
- Offer
- Overheat
- Outgrow
- Overmaster
- Overdo
- Overgrow
- Offset
- Outmatch
- Opacify
- Optate
- Occlude
- Overspread
- Overstrain
- Outclass
- Obtrude
- Officialize
- Overcome
- Obstruct
- Obscure
- Overdrive
- Outbalance
- Overpower
- Overexert
- Outgeneral
- Operate
- Overbear
- Owe
- Ossify
- Overcharge
- Ordain
- Outlaw
- Outpace
- Outrival
- Orbit
- Object
- Overcapitalize
- Optimize
- Overuse
- Overwhelm
- Overleap
- Observe
- Overturn
- Overprice
- Outpoint
- Overrun
- Overtire
- Outfox
- Overtax
- Outstare
- Opalesce
- Overspecialize
- Ogle
- Overhang
- Overrate
- Overtop
- Omen
- Overlie
- Overcloud
- Oxygenize
- Overstate
- Offsaddle
- Overspend
- Overlay
- Oink
- Overfill
- Outrank
- Overjoy
- Osculate
Final Thoughts on Verbs That Start with O
Opine, opt and optimize is what we hope this list of verbs that start with O was for you. Being one of the most used letters, O happens to have many positive and negative verbs for you to select from.
When we choose to undertake the task of writing, we must remain objective, as our prose oozes with interest and insight. And while verbs that start with O are not in short supply, it can be hard to find the right words to express or describe that you want to say.
Our site was created so that you would always have the most useful collection of verbs that begin with O for whatever you choose to use them for.
Whether you need some verbs starting with O to describe an action or a state of being or you just want to improve your vocabulary, these words will always be right here waiting for your return.
People also search for positive words that start with O, adjectives that start with O and nouns that start with O.