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In the modern English alphabet, Yis the twenty-fifth letter.Yoriginally appeared with the Greeks. The Roman language did not include the sound, so when they incorporated it into Latin it was usually only used for foreign words.
Y is an infrequently used letter, appearing in only 2% of texts. There are even fewer “official” letters found in dictionaries.
Words that Start with Y
What Are Y Words?
The letterYcan be traced back to the Semitic alphabet. Both the Greek and Latin alphabets grew out of the Phoenician form of the Semitic alphabet. As language evolved,Ywas used less and less. Because the sound it made was so close to that of the French and German U, it did not appear as much in language.
In the 1400s, printing was introduced in England. The typefaces they used did not have the letter Þ(which is pronounced as a hard “th” and usually found at the beginning of words such as “thorn”). Printers began using the letterYin place of the Þ. As a result, the letterYbecame more commonly used. So much so that eventually, it retained its place in the alphabet, while Þ was removed.
The letterYdoes have the distinction of being considered both a consonant and a vowel. Many children learned their vowels as, “A, E, I, O, U, and sometimes Y.” The “sometimes” part can be sort of tricky. We first need to know about the different sounds thatYcan make.
WhenYappears at the beginning of a word, it makes the consonant sound of “yeh” (such as in “yellow”).
When the Y appears at the end of aone-syllableword, it makes the sound of a long I: “eye” (such as in “dry”). WhenY appears at the end of amulti-syllableword, it makes the sound of a long E: “ee” (such as in “factory”).
TheYalso sometimes appears in the middle of a word. Here, it is usually pronounced “eye” or “ih” (such as in “gym”).
Vowels are speech sounds that are produced when you keep your vocal tract open. It is more of a flowing sound (such as in “cycle”). If theYin your word slows smoothly, then it is considered a vowel.
If there is a “break” in your breath when pronouncing the word, theYis considered a consonant (such as in “lawyer”).
It may help to think of it this way:Yis considered a vowel if:
- The word has no other vowel (such as “gym”),
- The Yis at the end of a syllable (such as “fancy”),
- The Yis in the middle of a syllable (such as “rhythm”)
Fortunately, you are usually not going to be quizzed as to whetherYis a vowel or a consonant!
Learn more words that start with…
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Positive Words that Start with Y
- Yahoo
- Yarn
- Yay
- Yea
- Yeah
- Yearn
- Yearning
- Yearningly
- Yen
- Yes
- Yield
- Yip
- Yo
- Yodel
- Yoga
- Young
- Young-gun
- Yours
- Yourself
- Youth
- Youthful
- Youthfully
- Yummiest
- Yummy
- Yup
Explore more: Words that start with Y that are positive
Descriptive Words that Start with Y
- Yammer
- Yankee
- Yawning
- Year
- Yearling
- Yearlong
- Yearly
- Yearn
- Yearnful
- Yearning
- Yellow
- Yellower
- Yelping
- Yesterday
- Yesterdays
- Yiddish
- Yielding
- Yon
- Yonder
- Young
- Youngish
- Yours
- Yttrias
- Yugoslavian
- Yuletide
Learn more: Descriptive Words
Adjectives that Start with Y
- Yappy
- Yawning
- Year-long
- Yearly
- Yearning
- Yeasty
- Yellow-bellied
- Yellowed
- Yellowish
- Yelping
- Yester
- Yew
- Yiddish
- Yieldable
- Yielding
- Yodeling
- Yon
- Yonder
- Younger
- Youngish
- Your
- Yucky
- Yugoslav
- Yugoslavian
- Yuletide
Find out more: Adjectives that start with Y
Y Words That Are Used to Describe Someone
Below are 25 words that start withY that are used to describe people:
- Yauld
- Yeasty
- Yellow
- Yellower
- Yelping
- Yemeni
- Yemenite
- Yeoman
- Yeomanly
- Yes-man
- Yiddish
- Yielding
- Yieldy
- Yogic
- Yokozuna
- Yond
- Young
- Youngish
- Youngling
- Yours
- Youthful
- Yucky
- Yugoslavian
- Yummy
- Yuppie
Nouns that Start with Y
- Yacht
- Yachting
- Yachtsman
- Yadda
- Yak
- Yang
- Yankee
- Yard
- Yardstick
- Yarn
- Yaw
- Y-axis
- Year
- Yearbook
- Yellowfin
- Yelp
- Yen
- Yeoman
- Yesteryear
- Yeti
- Yoga
- Yogi
- Yogurt
- Yoke
- Yo-yo
Learn more: Nouns that start with Y
Verbs that Start with Y
- Yacht
- Yachting
- Yammer
- Yang
- Yank
- Yap
- Yaw
- Yawed
- Yawn
- Yawp
- Yearn
- Yearned
- Yell
- Yelled
- Yellow
- Yellowed
- Yellowing
- Yelp
- Yield
- Yielded
- Yields
- Yodel
- Yodeling
- Yoke
- Yowl
Discover more: Verbs that start with Y
Y Words | List of Words that Start with Y
- Ya
- Ye
- Yo
- Yag
- Yah
- Yak
- Yam
- Yap
- Yar
- Yaw
- Yay
- Yea
- Yeh
- Yen
- Yep
- Yes
- Yet
- Yew
- Yid
- Yin
- Yip
- Yob
- Yod
- Yok
- Yom
- Yon
- You
- Yow
- Yua
- Yuk
- Yum
- Yup
- Yad
- Yae
- Yex
- Ygo
- Yos
- Yug
- Yus
- Yack
- Yaff
- Yagi
- Yaks
- Yald
- Yale
- Yama
- Yams
- Yana
- Yang
- Yank
- Yaps
- Yard
- Yare
- Yarn
- Yaud
- Yaup
- Yawl
- Yawn
- Yawp
- Yaws
- Yays
- Yeah
- Yean
- Year
- Yeas
- Yech
- Yegg
- Yeld
- Yelk
- Yell
- Yelp
- Yens
- Yerk
- Yeti
- Yett
- Yeuk
- Yews
- Yids
- Yill
- Ying
- Yins
- Yipe
- Yips
- Yird
- Yirr
- Ylem
- Yobs
- Yock
- Yodh
- Yods
- Yoga
- Yogh
- Yogi
- Yoke
- Yoks
- Yolk
- Yond
- Yoni
- Yore
- York
- Your
- Yous
- Yowe
- Yowl
- Yows
- Yuan
- Yuca
- Yuch
- Yuck
- Yuga
- Yuks
- Yule
- Yuma
- Yups
- Yurt
- Yutz
- Ywis
- Yaar
- Yaba
- Yads
- Yags
- Yahs
- Yapp
- Yark
- Yarr
- Yate
- Yawy
- Ybet
- Yead
- Yebo
- Yede
- Yeed
- Yelm
- Yelt
- Yeps
- Yerd
- Yesk
- Yest
- Yeve
- Ygoe
- Yike
- Yirk
- Yite
- Ylke
- Ympe
- Ympt
- Yode
- Yold
- Yomp
- Yont
- Yoof
- Yoop
- Yorp
- Youk
- Yuft
- Yugs
- Yuke
- Yuko
- Yuky
- Yump
- Yunx
- Yuzu
- Yabby
- Yacca
- Yacht
- Yacks
- Yadda
- Yaffs
- Yager
- Yagis
- Yahoo
- Yaird
- Yakut
- Yamen
- Yamun
- Yanan
- Yangs
- Yanks
- Yapok
- Yapon
- Yappy
- Yards
- Yarer
- Yarns
- Yauds
- Yauld
- Yaups
- Yawed
- Yawey
- Yawls
- Yawns
- Yawps
- Yazoo
- Yclad
- Yeans
- Yearn
- Years
- Yeast
- Yecch
- Yechs
- Yechy
- Yeggs
- Yelks
- Yells
- Yelps
- Yemen
- Yenta
- Yente
- Yerba
- Yerks
- Yeses
- Yetis
- Yetts
- Yeuks
- Yeuky
- Yield
- Yikes
- Yills
- Yince
- Yipes
- Yirds
- Yirrs
- Yirth
- Ylems
- Yobbo
- Yocks
- Yodel
- Yodhs
- Yodle
- Yogas
- Yogee
- Yoghs
- Yogic
- Yogin
- Yogis
- Yoked
- Yokel
- Yokes
- Yolks
- Yolky
- Yomim
- Yonge
- Yonic
- Yonis
- Yores
- Yorke
- Young
- Yourn
- Yours
- Youse
- Youth
- Yowed
- Yowes
- Yowie
- Yowls
- Yo-yo
- Yquem
- Yuans
- Yucas
- Yucca
- Yucch
- Yucks
- Yucky
- Yugas
- Yukky
- Yukon
- Yulan
- Yules
- Yuman
- Yummy
- Yupon
- Yuppy
- Yurta
- Yurts
- Yaaas
- Yadim
- Yages
- Yajes
- Yakka
- Yakow
- Yapps
- Yarak
- Yasss
- Yawny
- Yeets
- Yuchy
- Yaars
- Yabba
- Yacka
- Yales
- Yampy
- Yarco
- Yarfa
- Yarks
- Yarrs
- Yarta
- Yarto
- Yates
- Ybore
- Ycled
- Ycond
- Ydrad
- Ydred
- Yeads
- Yeahs
- Yealm
- Yeard
- Yedes
- Yeeds
- Yelms
- Yelts
- Yerds
- Yesks
- Yests
- Yesty
- Yeven
- Yeves
- Yewen
- Yexed
- Yexes
- Yfere
- Yiked
- Yippy
- Yirks
- Yites
- Yitie
- Ylike
- Ylkes
- Ymolt
- Ympes
- Yoick
- Yojan
- Yoker
- Yokul
- Yomps
- Yonks
- Yoofs
- Yoops
- Yorks
- Yorps
- Youks
- Yourt
- Yrapt
- Yrent
- Yrivd
- Yrneh
- Ysame
- Ytost
- Yucko
- Yufts
- Yuked
- Yukes
- Yukos
- Yummo
- Yumps
- Yuzus
- Yabber
- Yabbie
- Yachts
- Yacked
- Yaffed
- Yagers
- Yahoos
- Yahveh
- Yahweh
- Yairds
- Yakima
- Yakked
- Yakker
- Yakuza
- Yamens
- Yammer
- Yamuns
- Yanked
- Yankee
- Yanker
- Yanqui
- Yantra
- Yapock
- Yapoks
- Yapons
- Yapped
- Yapper
- Yarded
- Yarder
- Yarely
- Yarest
- Yarned
- Yarner
- Yarrow
- Yasmak
- Yatter
- Yauped
- Yauper
- Yaupon
- Yautia
- Yawing
- Yawled
- Yawned
- Yawner
- Yawped
- Yawper
- Y-axis
- Yclept
- Yeaned
- Yearly
- Yearns
- Yeasts
- Yeasty
- Yecchs
- Yeelin
- Yelled
- Yeller
- Yellow
- Yelped
- Yelper
- Yemeni
- Yenned
- Yentas
- Yentes
- Yeoman
- Yeomen
- Yerbas
- Yerked
- Yessed
- Yesses
- Yester
- Yeuked
- Yields
- Yieldy
- Yipped
- Yippee
- Yippie
- Yirred
- Yirths
- Yishun
- Yobbos
- Yocked
- Yodels
- Yodled
- Yodler
- Yodles
- Yogees
- Yogini
- Yogins
- Yogurt
- Yoicks
- Yokels
- Yoking
- Yokuts
- Yolked
- Yonder
- Yonker
- Yorick
- Yorker
- Yoruba
- You’re
- Youngs
- Youpon
- You’re
- Youths
- Yowies
- Yowing
- Yowled
- Yowler
- Yttria
- Yttric
- Yuccas
- Yucked
- Yukked
- Yulans
- Yupons
- Yuppie
- Yutzes
- Yaasss
- Yachty
- Yacker
- Yakkas
- Yakows
- Yampee
- Yaraks
- Yazata
- Yeeted
- Yogism
- Yokked
- Yukata
- Yumpie
- Yabbas
- Yaccas
- Yackas
- Yaffle
- Yagger
- Yankie
- Yaourt
- Yappie
- Yaqona
- Yarcos
- Yarfas
- Yarked
- Yarpha
- Yarran
- Yartas
- Yartos
- Yblent
- Ybound
- Ybrent
- Yealms
- Yeards
- Yeding
- Yelmed
- Yemmer
- Yerded
- Yesked
- Yettie
- Yeving
- Yexing
- Yicker
- Yidaki
- Yiking
- Yikker
- Yipper
- Yirded
- Yirked
- Yities
- Yitten
- Ymping
- Ynambu
- Yojana
- Yojans
- Yokers
- Yomped
- Yonnie
- Yopper
- Yorked
- Yorkie
- Yorped
- Youked
- Yourts
- Youthy
- Yowley
- Ypight
- Yplast
- Yrnehs
- Yshend
- Yshent
- Yucker
- Yukier
- Yuking
- Yumped
- Yunxes
- Yurtas
- Ywroke
- Yabbers
- Yabbies
- Yachted
- Yachter
- Yacking
- Yaffing
- Yakkers
- Yakking
- Yamalka
- Yammers
- Yamulka
- Yangtze
- Yanking
- Yanquis
- Yantras
- Yapocks
- Yappers
- Yapping
- Yardage
- Yardarm
- Yarders
- Yarding
- Yardman
- Yardmen
- Yarners
- Yarning
- Yarrows
- Yashmac
- Yashmak
- Yasmaks
- Yatagan
- Yatters
- Yaupers
- Yauping
- Yaupons
- Yautias
- Yavapai
- Yawling
- Yawners
- Yawning
- Yawpers
- Yawping
- Ycleped
- Yealing
- Yeaning
- Yearend
- Yearned
- Yearner
- Yeasted
- Yeelins
- Yeggman
- Yeggmen
- Yellers
- Yelling
- Yellows
- Yellowy
- Yelpers
- Yelping
- Yenisei
- Yenning
- Yerking
- Yeshiva
- Yes-man
- Yessing
- Yestern
- Yeuking
- Yiddish
- Yielded
- Yielder
- Yippies
- Yipping
- Yirring
- Yobboes
- Yocking
- Yodeled
- Yodeler
- Yodlers
- Yodling
- Yoghurt
- Yoginis
- Yogurts
- Yohimbe
- Yolkier
- Yonkers
- Younger
- Younker
- Youpons
- Youthen
- Yowlers
- Yowling
- Yperite
- Yttrias
- Yttrium
- Yucatec
- Yuckier
- Yucking
- Yukking
- Yummier
- Yummies
- Yuppies
- Yuppify
- Yackers
- Yampees
- Yappier
- Yardang
- Yawnful
- Yawnier
- Yazatas
- Yechier
- Yeeting
- Yogisms
- Yokking
- Youtube
- Yuchier
- Yukkier
- Yabbied
- Yachtie
- Yaffles
- Yaggers
- Yakhdan
- Yampies
- Yankers
- Yankies
- Yaourts
- Yappies
- Yapster
- Yaqonas
- Yarking
- Yarphas
- Yarrans
- Ycleepe
- Yeading
- Yealdon
- Yealmed
- Yearded
- Yeeding
- Yelloch
- Yelming
- Yemmers
- Yerding
- Yesking
- Yetties
- Yibbles
- Yickers
- Yidakis
- Yikkers
- Yippers
- Yirding
- Yirking
- Ymolten
- Ynambus
- Yobbery
- Yobbish
- Yobbism
- Yoicked
- Yojanas
- Yokings
- Yomping
- Yonders
- Yonnies
- Yoppers
- Yorkers
- Yorkies
- Yorking
- Yorping
- Youking
- Youngly
- Youngth
- Youthly
- Yowleys
- Yplight
- Ypsilon
- Yshends
- Yslaked
- Yuckers
- Yugarie
- Yukatas
- Yukiest
- Yumpies
- Yumping
- Yabbered
- Yachters
- Yachting
- Yachtman
- Yachtmen
- Yahooism
- Yahrzeit
- Yakitori
- Yamalkas
- Yammered
- Yammerer
- Yamulkas
- Yardages
- Yardarms
- Yardbird
- Yardland
- Yardwand
- Yardwork
- Yarmelke
- Yarmulka
- Yarmulke
- Yashmacs
- Yashmaks
- Yatagans
- Yataghan
- Yattered
- Yawmeter
- Yawpings
- Yealings
- Yeanling
- Yearbook
- Yearends
- Yearlies
- Yearling
- Yearlong
- Yearners
- Yearnful
- Yearning
- Yeasayer
- Yeastier
- Yeastily
- Yeasting
- Yellowed
- Yellower
- Yellowly
- Yemenite
- Yeomanly
- Yeomanry
- Yeshivah
- Yeshivas
- Yeshivot
- Yestreen
- Yielders
- Yielding
- Yodelers
- Yodeling
- Yodelled
- Yodeller
- Yoghourt
- Yoghurts
- Yokeless
- Yokelish
- Yokemate
- Yokohama
- Yokozuna
- Yolkiest
- Yosemite
- Youngers
- Youngest
- Youngish
- Younkers
- Yourself
- Youthens
- Youthful
- Yperites
- Ytterbia
- Ytterbic
- Yttriums
- Yucateco
- Yuckiest
- Yugoslav
- Yuletide
- Yummiest
- Yappiest
- Yardangs
- Yarovise
- Yarovize
- Yarraman
- Yarramen
- Yawniest
- Yechiest
- Yohimbes
- Yoldring
- Yolkless
- Youtubed
- Youtubes
- Yuchiest
- Yukkiest
- Yabbying
- Yachties
- Yakhdans
- Yakimono
- Yapsters
- Yardings
- Yawnings
- Ybounden
- Ycleeped
- Ycleepes
- Yealdons
- Yealming
- Yearding
- Yeldring
- Yeldrock
- Yellings
- Yellochs
- Yelpings
- Yersinia
- Yglaunst
- Yickered
- Yikkered
- Yobbisms
- Yoicking
- Yoicksed
- Yoickses
- Yonderly
- Youngths
- Youthier
- Yowlings
- Ypsiloid
- Ypsilons
- Yttrious
- Yugaries
- Yabbering
- Yachtings
- Yachtsman
- Yachtsmen
- Yahooisms
- Yahrzeits
- Yakitoris
- Yammerers
- Yammering
- Yardbirds
- Yardgrass
- Yardlands
- Yardstick
- Yardwands
- Yardworks
- Yarmelkes
- Yarmulkes
- Yataghans
- Yattering
- Yawmeters
- Yawningly
- Yeanlings
- Yearbooks
- Yearlings
- Year-long
- Yearnings
- Yeasayers
- Yeastiest
- Yeastlike
- Yellowest
- Yellowfin
- Yellowing
- Yellowish
- Yeniseian
- Yeshivahs
- Yeshivoth
- Yesterday
- Yestreens
- Yieldable
- Yodellers
- Yodelling
- Yoghourts
- Yohimbine
- Yokemates
- Yokozunas
- Yorkshire
- Yottabyte
- Young-gun
- Youngling
- Youngness
- Youngster
- Youthened
- Ytterbias
- Ytterbite
- Ytterbium
- Yuletides
- Yappingly
- Yarmulkas
- Yarovised
- Yarovises
- Yarovized
- Yarovizes
- Yawnfully
- Yeastless
- Yestereve
- Yoldrings
- Youngests
- Youthless
- Youtubing
- Ytterbous
- Yuppified
- Yuppifies
- Yarborough
- Yardmaster
- Yardsticks
- Yearningly
- Yeastiness
- Yellowbird
- Yellowcake
- Yellowfins
- Yellowlegs
- Yellowness
- Yellowtail
- Yellowware
- Yellowwood
- Yeomanries
- Yesterdays
- Yesteryear
- Yieldingly
- Yohimbines
- Yokefellow
- Yottabytes
- Youngberry
- Younglings
- Youngsters
- Youngstown
- Yourselves
- Youthening
- Youthfully
- Youthquake
- Ytterbiums
- Yugoslavia
- Yarovising
- Yarovizing
- Yachtswoman
- Yarboroughs
- Yardmasters
- Yellowknife
- Yellowstone
- Yellowtails
- Yellowwares
- Yellowwoods
- Yesternight
- Yesteryears
- Yokefellows
- Youngnesses
- Youthquakes
- Yugoslavian
- Yachtswomen
- Yammeringly
- Yellowbacks
- Yellowbelly
- Yellowbirds
- Yellowcakes
- Yellowfaces
- Yeastinesses
- Yellowhammer
- Yellowthroat
- Yesternights
- Youngberries
- Youthfulness
- Yachtmanship
- Yarovization
- Yellowlegses
- Yellownesses
- Yellowhammers
- Yellowthroats
- Yachtmanships
- Yachtsmanship
- Yarovizations
- Yellowbellies
- Yellowfinches
- Youthfulnesses
- Yachtsmanships
- Yesterevenings
- Yestermornings
- Yieldabilities
- Yieldingnesses
- Yesterdaynesses
- Yttrotantalites
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Isabella Claire
At 7ESL, we empower English learners with advanced AI technology. Our innovative tools and resources help users speak fluently and improve their writing skills, supporting learners at every level in mastering English.
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