This list rounds up 50 verbs that start with the letter J, running from “Jab” all the way to “Joyride.” Most of these words describe quick physical actions, like jabbing, jerking, or jolting, while others cover everyday activities such as joining a club, jogging in the morning, or juggling responsibilities. You’ll find them useful whether you’re writing a story, building your vocabulary, or just curious about how many ways English lets you move, speak, and act starting with the letter J.

Verbs are words that express an action, occurrence, or state of being, and they form the backbone of nearly every sentence you write or speak. English has borrowed and shaped many J-verbs from unexpected places, including “jaywalk,” which traces back to “jay” as an old slang term for a careless, unsophisticated person. From formal terms like “justify” to playful ones like “jitterbug,” these verbs show just how varied and expressive the language can be.

Below you’ll find the table with each word’s tense forms, definition, example usage, and description.

Word: the verb itself, shown in its base form so you can quickly scan and find the one you’re looking for.

Tense Forms: the past tense and present participle forms, helping you use each verb correctly in different sentences.

Definition: a short, clear explanation of what the verb means and how it’s typically used in context.

Example Usage: a sample sentence showing the verb in action, so you can see how it fits naturally into speech or writing.

Description: extra context or nuance about the verb, including any figurative meanings or common situations where it applies.

Verbs

WordTense FormsDefinitionExample Usage
Jabjabbed / jabbingTo poke quickly and sharply with something pointedShe jabbed her finger at the map.
Jabberjabbered / jabberingTo talk rapidly and often unintelligiblyThe kids jabbered excitedly about the trip.
Jack upjacked / jackingTo raise something using a jack, or to increase sharplyThey jacked up the car to change the tire.
Jackknifejackknifed / jackknifingTo bend sharply at a hinge point, as a truck and trailer do in an accidentThe trailer jackknifed on the icy highway.
Jailjailed / jailingTo confine someone in jailHe was jailed for three years.
Jamjammed / jammingTo become stuck, or to pack tightly into a spaceThe printer jammed again this morning.
Janglejangled / janglingTo make a harsh ringing or clashing metallic soundThe keys jangled in his pocket.
Jarjarred / jarringTo jolt or have a harsh, unsettling effectThe sudden noise jarred her awake.
Jauntjaunted / jauntingTo make a short trip for pleasureThey jaunted off to the coast for the weekend.
Jawbonejawboned / jawboningTo pressure or persuade someone through talk, especially informallyThe senator jawboned colleagues into supporting the bill.
Jaywalkjaywalked / jaywalkingTo cross a street illegally or carelessly, away from a crosswalkHe was fined for jaywalking downtown.
Jazz upjazzed / jazzingTo make something more lively or excitingShe jazzed up the report with colorful charts.
Jeerjeered / jeeringTo mock or taunt someone rudelyThe crowd jeered at the referee’s call.
Jelljelled / jellingTo take shape successfully, or to become firm like jellyTheir plans finally jelled after weeks of talks.
Jeopardizejeopardized / jeopardizingTo put something at risk of harm or lossMissing the deadline could jeopardize the deal.
Jerkjerked / jerkingTo move with a sudden sharp motionThe car jerked forward at the light.
Jestjested / jestingTo speak in a joking, playful manner“I’m only jesting,” he laughed.
Jetjetted / jettingTo travel quickly, especially by jet aircraftThey jetted off to Paris for the weekend.
Jettisonjettisoned / jettisoningTo throw or discard something no longer neededThe crew jettisoned excess cargo to stay afloat.
Jibejibed / jibingTo be in accord or agreement with somethingHis story doesn’t jibe with the evidence.
Jigglejiggled / jigglingTo move or shake with quick, small motionsShe jiggled the handle to open the stuck door.
Jiltjilted / jiltingTo abruptly end a romantic relationship, rejecting a partnerHe jilted her just before the wedding.
Jimmyjimmied / jimmyingTo force open using a small bar or toolThieves jimmied the lock to get inside.
Jinglejingled / jinglingTo make a light ringing sound, like small bellsCoins jingled in his pocket as he walked.
Jinxjinxed / jinxingTo bring bad luck to someone or somethingDon’t say that, you’ll jinx it!
Jitterbugjitterbugged / jitterbuggingTo dance the jitterbug, an energetic swing danceThey jitterbugged across the dance floor.
Jobjobbed / jobbingTo work at odd or occasional pieces of work, especially in British usageHe jobbed as a freelance carpenter for years.
Jockeyjockeyed / jockeyingTo maneuver cleverly for position or advantageCandidates jockeyed for the best debate spot.
Jogjogged / joggingTo run at a steady, gentle pace, especially for exerciseShe jogs every morning before work.
Joinjoined / joiningTo become a member of, or connect two things togetherHe joined the local running club.
Jointjointed / jointingTo fit or connect pieces together at a jointThe carpenter jointed the boards seamlessly.
Jokejoked / jokingTo say something intended to amuse or amuse othersHe joked about being late again.
Jollyjollied / jollyingTo coax someone into a good mood or into doing somethingThey jollied him along until he agreed.
Joltjolted / joltingTo shake or move with a sudden jerky movementThe turbulence jolted the passengers awake.
Jostlejostled / jostlingTo push or bump against roughly in a crowdFans jostled for a better view of the stage.
Jotjotted / jottingTo write something down quickly and brieflyShe jotted a note before she forgot.
Joustjousted / joustingTo fight on horseback with lances, or to compete verballyKnights jousted for the king’s favor.
Judderjuddered / judderingTo shake rapidly and noisilyThe old bus juddered over the potholes.
Judgejudged / judgingTo form an opinion or make a decision about somethingPlease don’t judge me for my choices.
Jugglejuggled / jugglingTo keep several objects in the air by tossing and catching, or to manage multiple tasksShe juggles work and parenting every day.
Juicejuiced / juicingTo extract juice from fruit or vegetablesHe juices oranges every morning for breakfast.
Jumblejumbled / jumblingTo mix things up in a confused, disorderly wayThe papers got jumbled in the move.
Jumpjumped / jumpingTo push off the ground and spring into the airThe dog jumped over the fence.
Jump-startjump-started / jump-startingTo start a vehicle using another battery, or to kick off something stalledThey jump-started the car in the cold.
Junkjunked / junkingTo discard something as uselessThey junked the old computer.
Justifyjustified / justifyingTo show or prove something to be right or reasonableHe tried to justify his decision to leave.
Jutjutted / juttingTo stick out or project sharplyThe cliff jutted out over the sea.
Juxtaposejuxtaposed / juxtaposingTo place things side by side for comparison or contrastThe exhibit juxtaposed old and new photographs.
Jivejived / jivingTo dance to jive music, or informally to talk misleadinglyThey jived to the swing band all night.
Joyridejoyrode / joyridingTo drive recklessly for fun, often in a stolen carTeens joyrode through town in a stolen truck.

Descriptions

Jab
A short, sharp poke or punch, often used both literally and in boxing slang for a quick straight punch.
Jabber
To chatter on quickly and without much sense, usually out of excitement or nervousness.
Jack up
Literally lifting something with a mechanical jack, or informally raising prices or levels sharply.
Jackknife
Describes a vehicle folding sharply at its pivot point, or a diving position where the body bends at the waist.
Jail
To put a person behind bars as punishment or while awaiting trial.
Jam
Getting wedged or stuck, or forcing something into a tight space; also used for musicians playing together informally.
Jangle
A clashing, metallic ringing sound, often from keys, bells, or coins knocking together.
Jar
To shake or bump abruptly, or to clash unpleasantly with expectations or surroundings.
Jaunt
To take a brief, casual trip somewhere, usually for fun rather than necessity.
Jawbone
To use persuasive talk, often informal pressure, to get someone to act a certain way.
Jaywalk
Crossing a street outside of designated crossings or against traffic signals.
Jazz up
To add energy, flair, or excitement to something otherwise plain.
Jeer
To shout scornful, mocking remarks at someone, often in a group setting.
Jell
To come together into a coherent, workable form, or literally to thicken and set.
Jeopardize
To endanger or threaten the success or safety of something.
Jerk
A quick, abrupt movement, often uncontrolled or reflexive.
Jest
To joke around or say something not meant to be taken seriously.
Jet
To move rapidly, especially used for fast air travel or a stream shooting out forcefully.
Jettison
To cast off or abandon something, whether physical cargo or an outdated plan.
Jibe
To match up or align with something else; also a sailing term for shifting a sail across the wind.
Jiggle
A light, quick shaking or wobbling motion.
Jilt
To cast aside a lover or fiancé suddenly and often cruelly.
Jimmy
To pry something open, typically a lock or window, using a small lever-like tool.
Jingle
A soft, tinkling sound produced by small metal objects striking together.
Jinx
To cast an unlucky spell over a person, event, or outcome, often used lightheartedly.
Jitterbug
To perform a fast, energetic swing dance popular from the 1930s-40s.
Job
To take on piecework or short-term jobs rather than steady employment.
Jockey
To skillfully compete or maneuver for a favorable position, literally or figuratively.
Jog
A slow, steady run typically done for fitness; can also mean to nudge or jolt lightly.
Join
To link together or become part of a group, team, or activity.
Joint
To assemble or connect parts at a joint, common in carpentry and meat preparation.
Joke
To make a playful, humorous remark meant to entertain rather than inform.
Jolly
To cheerfully persuade or encourage someone, often used as “jolly along.”
Jolt
A sudden, sharp jerk or shock, physical or emotional.
Jostle
To shove or bump against others, typically while competing for space or position.
Jot
To quickly scribble down a short note or reminder.
Joust
Originally a medieval combat sport on horseback; now also used for spirited verbal sparring.
Judder
A strong, vibrating shake, often used for machinery or vehicles.
Judge
To evaluate, assess, or form a conclusion about someone or something.
Juggle
To toss and catch objects skillfully, or to balance multiple responsibilities at once.
Juice
To press liquid out of produce, or informally, to energize or boost something.
Jumble
To mix things together carelessly, resulting in a messy or confusing arrangement.
Jump
To propel oneself upward or forward off the ground using the legs.
Jump-start
To restart a dead battery with jumper cables, or figuratively to reinvigorate a stalled effort.
Junk
To throw away or scrap something no longer wanted or useful.
Justify
To provide valid reasons or evidence supporting an action or belief.
Jut
To protrude or extend outward beyond a surrounding surface or line.
Juxtapose
To position two things close together to highlight their differences or similarities.
Jive
A lively dance style set to jazz or swing music; informally, to talk nonsense or deceive.
Joyride
To take a car, often without permission, for a reckless, thrill-seeking drive.
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