This list includes 31 Slang words that start with U, from “U-ey” to “utility player”. These entries cover informal, regional, and playful terms common in speech and online chat. Writers, learners, and creators use them for voice, dialogue, and cultural detail.
Slang words that start with U are informal vocabulary items beginning with the letter U that often reflect region, subculture, or humor. For example, “utility player” moved from sports jargon into casual speech as a compliment for versatile people.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Meaning, Example, Region, and Register.
Word: The slang term as written; you use it to find the entry quickly and recognize its exact spelling and form.
Meaning: Clear, concise definition that explains how the word is used and what idea or feeling it expresses.
Example: A short sentence showing the slang in context so you see natural usage and informal tone.
Region: The geographical or cultural area where the word commonly appears, helping you judge local usage.
Register: Labels the tone or formality, so you know if the word is casual, playful, offensive, or niche.
Slang words that start with U
| Word | Meaning | Register | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| u | A shortened, phonetic spelling of “you”. | pron.; informal, internet/text | Global (1990s) |
| uber | To an extreme or ultimate degree. | adv., adj.; informal | Global (from German) |
| U-ey | A U-turn made while driving a vehicle. | n.; informal, colloquial | Australia, US |
| uggo | An ugly person or thing. | n., adj.; informal, pejorative | Global |
| ugly stick | A mythical stick that causes ugliness. | n.; informal, humorous, pejorative | Global |
| uh-huh | An utterance indicating “yes” or acknowledgment. | interj.; informal | Global |
| uh-oh | An expression of dismay when something goes wrong. | interj.; informal | Global |
| umpteen | A large but unspecified number. | adj.; informal | Global |
| un-f-ing-believable | A highly emphatic form of “unbelievable”. | adj.; informal, vulgar, emphatic | Global |
| unco | Uncoordinated; or, uncommonly/very. | adj., adv.; informal, regional | Australia, Scotland |
| uncool | Not fashionable, socially unacceptable, or awkward. | adj.; informal | Global (1950s) |
| under the weather | Feeling slightly ill or sick. | idiom; informal | Global |
| underground | Outside of mainstream culture; alternative. | adj., n.; informal | Global |
| undies | Underwear. | n.; informal, familiar | Global |
| uni | University. | n.; informal, colloquial | UK, Australia, New Zealand |
| unit | An impressively large or muscular person. | n.; informal, slang | Australia, UK |
| unreal | Amazing, incredible, or fantastic. | adj.; informal | UK, Ireland, Australia |
| up a gum tree | In a difficult situation with no easy escape. | idiom; informal | Australia |
| up for it | Willing and enthusiastic about participating. | idiom; informal | UK, Global |
| up the duff | Pregnant. | idiom; informal, slang | UK, Australia |
| up the wazoo | In excessive amounts; in great abundance. | idiom; informal, vulgar | US |
| up to eleven | To the maximum possible level of intensity. | idiom; informal | Global (1984) |
| up yours | A rude, defiant, and dismissive insult. | interj.; informal, vulgar, offensive | Global |
| up-and-comer | A person showing promise and likely to succeed. | n.; informal | Global |
| upper | A stimulant drug. | n.; informal, slang | Global |
| uppity | Arrogant or presumptuous. | adj.; informal, pejorative, dated | US |
| upskill | To learn new and relevant skills for a job. | v.; informal, jargon | Global (2000s) |
| uptight | Tense, anxious, and overly conventional. | adj.; informal | Global (1960s) |
| urge, the | A powerful, often humorous or absurd, impulse. | n.; informal, internet | Global (2020s) |
| use your loaf | Use your head; think more clearly. | idiom; informal | UK (Cockney) |
| utility player | A person with a versatile and wide-ranging skill set. | n.; informal | Global (from US sports) |
Descriptions
u
A classic of text-speak, born from the need for brevity on early mobile phones and pagers. Now universally understood in casual digital communication.
uber
Borrowed from German, this prefix adds emphasis, as in “uber-cool.” Its slang use became popular in the 1990s, well before the famous ride-sharing app.
U-ey
A common way to describe making a 180-degree turn. You might hear an Australian say “chuck a U-ey” or an American “hang a U-ey” at the next intersection.
uggo
A dismissive and unflattering term for someone or something considered unattractive. The “-o” suffix is a common, informal addition in English slang (e.g., cheapo, weirdo).
ugly stick
A playground-level insult used to say someone is extremely unattractive, as in “He fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.”
uh-huh
A common backchannel noise used in conversation to show you are listening and agree. Its meaning can shift dramatically with a change in intonation.
uh-oh
The universal sound of sudden, mild trouble. It’s often one of the first informal expressions children learn and use when they make a mess or see a problem.
umpteen
Used when you can’t or won’t name an exact figure, often to express frustration. For example: “I’ve told you umpteen times to take out the trash.”
un-f-ing-believable
An example of tmesis, where a curse word is inserted into another word for intense emphasis. It can express extreme shock, delight, or anger.
unco
In Australia, it means clumsy or awkward (“a bit unco on the dance floor”). In Scotland, it’s an older term for “very” or “strange,” as in “unco guid” (very good).
uncool
The direct opposite of “cool.” It can describe anything from a bad joke to a genuinely unkind action. A timeless piece of slang for judging social behavior.
under the weather
A gentle idiom for being unwell. Its origins are likely nautical, referring to a sailor feeling sick and going below deck, literally “under the weather bow.”
underground
Describes subcultures—music, art, literature—that operate outside of commercial or popular norms. The term implies authenticity and a counter-cultural spirit.
undies
A common, slightly cutesy diminutive for underwear. It’s a comfortable, everyday term used by people of all ages across the English-speaking world.
uni
A classic clipped word, standard informal speech in many Commonwealth countries. In the US, “college” is the more common term and is rarely shortened this way.
unit
Used with a sense of awe or admiration for someone’s size or physique, as in, “Look at that bloke, he’s an absolute unit.” Can also refer to a large object.
unreal
While Americans may use it to mean “fake,” in many other places it’s a high compliment. A statement like “That goal was unreal!” means it was exceptionally good.
up a gum tree
A classic Australianism for being stuck or in trouble. It evokes the image of a possum or koala chased up a tree by a predator with nowhere left to go.
up for it
A common phrase to gauge someone’s interest in an activity. For example, “We’re grabbing pizza later, are you up for it?”
up the duff
A blunt, earthy, and very informal way to say someone is pregnant. “Duff” is an old British slang word for dough, creating a visual metaphor.
up the wazoo
A humorous and slightly crude way to say you have a lot of something. For instance, “After the holidays, we had leftovers up the wazoo.” Wazoo is slang for the backside.
up to eleven
From the mockumentary film “This Is Spinal Tap,” where a guitarist’s amplifier has a volume dial that goes to 11 instead of 10. It means taking something to an extreme.
up yours
A very direct and hostile expression of contempt, essentially a stronger version of “get lost.” It is often accompanied by an equally offensive hand gesture.
up-and-comer
A term often used in business, sports, or the arts to describe a rising star whose career is on an upward trajectory. It signals future success.
upper
Drug slang for substances like amphetamines or cocaine that increase energy, alertness, and mood, as opposed to “downers” (depressants) that have a sedative effect.
uppity
This word has a deeply problematic history, as it was used to demean Black Americans who “didn’t know their place.” It is now widely considered offensive and racially charged.
upskill
Originally corporate jargon, this term has entered general use. It describes the process of training to stay relevant in a changing workplace, especially with new technology.
uptight
Describes a person who is a stickler for rules, can’t relax, and gets easily stressed. The term gained popularity in the counter-culture era as a label for the establishment.
urge, the
Popularized by internet memes like “the feminine urge to…” It’s used to describe stereotypical, quirky, or intrusive thoughts and desires in a relatable way.
use your loaf
A classic piece of Cockney rhyming slang, where “loaf of bread” is used to mean “head.” It’s a friendly but firm way to tell someone to use their common sense.
utility player
Borrowed from baseball, where it describes a player who can play several different positions well. In general use, it refers to a highly adaptable and useful person.