If you are looking for ways to enliven your writing and speech, this classic collection from Grenville Kleiser provides an abundance of colorful phrases.
You can review these lists when you seek a little extra punch in written works, and you can also use them to develop your vocabulary by identifying, looking up, and learning words you don't know.
This set of useful phrases consists of nouns (occasionally verbs or adjectives) modified by adjectives or adverbs.
U
ubiquitous activity
ugly revelation
ulterior purpose
ultimate sanction
ultrafashionable world
unabashed insolence
unabated pleasure
unaccountable protervity
unaccustomed toil
unadorned style
unaffected pathos
unaffrighted innocence
unagitated abstraction
unalloyed satisfaction
unalterable determination
unanimous acclamation
unanswerable argument
unapologetic air
unappeasable resentment
unapproached supremacy
unassailable position
unassuming dignity
unattainable perfection
unavailing consolation
unavoidable propensities
unballasted eloquence
unbeaten track
unbecoming behavior
unbending reserve
unbiased judgment
unblemished character
unblinking observation
unblushing iteration
unbounded hospitality
unbridgeable chasm
unbridled fancy
unbroken continuity
uncanny fears
unceasing variation
unceremonious talk
uncertain tenure
unchallenged supremacy
unchanging affection
uncharitable ambition
uncharted depths
unchastised offense
unclouded splendor
uncomfortable doubt
uncommonly attractive
uncommunicable quality
uncomplaining endurance
uncomprehending smile
uncompromising dogmatism
unconcealed aversion
unconditioned freedom
uncongenial task
unconquerable patience
unconscious serenity
uncontrollable delight
unconventional demeanor
uncounted generations
uncouth gambols
uncritical position
unctuously belaud
undaunted defender
undazzled eyes
undefined anticipations
undeniable charm
underlying assumption
undeviating consistency
undignified peccadilloes
undiluted skepticism
undiminished relish
undimmed luster
undisciplined genius
undisguised amusement
undismayed expression
undisputed ascendency
undistracted attention
undisturbed silence
undivided energies
undoubted authenticity
undue predilection
undulating hills
unduly troublesome
undying friendship
unearthly gladness
uneasy craving
unembarrassed scrutiny
unembittered sweetness
unending exactions
unenlightened zealot
unenvied insipidity
unequaled skill
unequivocally resented
unerring fidelity
unessential details
unexampled sweetness
unexhausted kindliness
unexpected confidence
unfailing courtesy
unfaltering glance
unfamiliar garb
unfathomable indifference
unfeigned assent
unfettered liberty
unflagging zest
unflattering truth
unflecked confidence
unfledged novice
unflinching zeal
unfolding consciousness
unforced acquiescence
unforeseen vicissitudes
unforgivable tragedy
unfounded conjecture
unfulfilled longing
ungainly figure
ungarnished reality
ungenerously resolved
ungenial temperament
ungovernable vehemence
ungracious temper
ungrudging tribute
unguessed riches
unhallowed threshold
unhampered expression
unhappy predecessor
unheeded beauties
unheroic measure
unhesitating faith
unhindered flight
unholy triumph
uniform blending
unimaginable bitterness
unimpassioned dignity
unimpeachable sentiment
unimpeded activity
uninstructed critic
uninterrupted process
unique personality
universal reprobation
unjust depreciation
unknown appellations
unlettered laborer
unlikely contingency
unlimited opulence
unlucky dissembler
unmanly timidity
unmastered possibility.
unmeaning farce
unmeasured hostility
unmellowed dawn
unmelodious echoes
unmerciful plundering
unmingled consent
unmistakably fabulous
unmitigated gloom
unmixed astonishment
unmodified passion
unmurmuring sea
unnecessary platitudes
unnumbered thousands
unobtrusive deference
unostentatious display
unpalatable truth
unparalleled atrocities
unpardonable error
unphilosophical dreamer
unpleasant excrescence
unprecedented advance
unprejudiced intelligence
unpretentious character
unprincipled violence
unprofitable craft
unpurchasable luxury
unqualified submission
unquenchable tenderness
unquestionable genius
unquestioning fate
unreasonable pretense
unreasoning distrust
unredeemable forfeit
unrefreshing sameness
unrelaxing emphasis
unrelenting spirit
unremembered winter
unremitting toil
unrepining sadness
unreproved admiration
unrequited love
unresentful disposition
unreserved assent
unresisted authority
unresolved exceptions
unresponsive gloom
unresting speed
unrestrained anger
unrestricted ease
unrivaled distinction
unruffled concord
unsatisfied yearning
unscrupulous adventurer
unseasonable apology
unseemly mirth
unselfish fidelity
unsettled trait
unshakable foundation
unshrinking determination
unslackened volubility
unsophisticated youth
unsparing abuse
unspeakable delight
unspiritual tone
unspoiled goodness
unstinted praise
unsullied virtue
unsurpassed purity
unswerving integrity
untameable energy
unthinkable hypothesis
untiring energy
untold calamity
untoward circumstances
untrammeled expression
untrodden woodland
untroubled repose
untuneful phrase
untutored mind
unusual audacity
unutterable sadness
unvarnished feeling
unwarranted limitation
unwasting energies
unwavering allegiance
unwearied diligence
unwelcome alliance
unwieldy bulk
unwilling homage
unwittingly mingled
unwonted kindness
unworldly foolishness
unworthy alliance
unyielding nature
uproarious laughter
upstart pretensions
useless fripperies
utmost scorn
V
vacant stupidity
vacillating obedience
vacuous ease
vagabondish spirit
vagrant wandering
vaguely discursive
vain contemplation
vainglorious show
valid objection
valuable acquisition
valueless assertion
vampire tongue
vanished centuries
vantage ground
vapid generalities
variable temperament
variegated career
vast advantage
veering purpose
vehement panting
veiled insolence
velvety lawn
venerable placidity
venomous passion
veracious journals
verbal audacities
verbose manner
verdant hope
verifiable facts
veritable triumph
vernacular expression
vernal charm
versatile grace
vexatious circumstances
vicarious virtue
vigilant sensibility
vigorous invective
vile desecrater
villainous inconsistency
vindictive sentiment
violent agitation
virgin grace
virile leadership
virtual surrender
virtuous disdain
virulent prejudice
visible embarrassment
visionary dreamer
vital interpretation
vitiated taste
vitriolic sneer
vivacious excitement
vivid portrayal
vociferous appeal
voiceless multitude
volatile fragrance
volcanic suddenness
voluble prose
voluminous biography
voluntary relinquishment
voracious animosity
votive wreath
vulgar prosperity
vulnerable foe
Go back to the Main Page of Useful Phrases... or ... Go to the Next Page: Useful Phrases, Page 19 (W-Y-Z).
Editor's note: This section of EnhanceMyVocabulary.com is excerpted and adapted from Project Gutenberg's Fifteen Thousand Useful Phrases, by Greenville Kleiser.
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