VocabDictionary

u

/ˈjuː/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

The twenty-first letter of the English alphabet.

Example Sentences:
  • The word 'umbrella' starts with the letter u.
  • In some phonetic transcriptions, 'u' can represent a specific vowel sound.
2.pronoun

An informal, phonetic spelling of the second-person pronoun "you", primarily used in text messaging and online communication.

Example Sentences:
  • C U L8R is a common abbreviation for 'See you later'.
  • How R U doing today?
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Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “u”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

As a letter, 'u' derives from the Latin letter 'U', which itself originated from the Greek upsilon (Υ, υ) and ultimately from the Phoenician letter waw. As an informal word, 'u' is a phonetic representation of the pronoun "you", commonly adopted in digital communication (e.g., text messages, online chats) due to its identical pronunciation.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Remember 'u' sounds exactly like 'you'.

Common Collocations & Phrases
Rhyming Words

Frequently Asked Questions About “u

1. What is the meaning of “u” in English?

In English, u (noun) is defined as: “The twenty-first letter of the English alphabet.”.

2. How do you use “u” in a sentence?

The word 'umbrella' starts with the letter u.

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “u”?

As a letter, 'u' derives from the Latin letter 'U', which itself originated from the Greek upsilon (Υ, υ) and ultimately from the Phoenician letter waw. As an informal word, 'u' is a phonetic representation of the pronoun "you", commonly adopted in digital communication (e.g., text messages, online chats) due to its identical pronunciation.