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Verbs describe actions, processes, or states of being. Whenever something happens, changes, or is done, a verb is involved. Learning verbs by letter is a simple way to expand vocabulary, improve writing, and speak more naturally. Below, you will find common, academic, action, positive, and phrasal verbs that start with the letter T, with clear definitions, examples, and practice exercises.
Top Common Verbs that Start with T
Essential “T” Verbs for Beginners
Take
Definition: to get, receive, or carry something.
Example: She took the keys from the table and left.
Talk
Definition: to speak or communicate with others.
Example: We talked about the plan after the meeting.
Try
Definition: to make an effort to do something.
Example: He tried to open the door quietly.
Teach
Definition: to help someone learn knowledge or skills.
Example: She teaches English to beginners every weekend.
Think
Definition: to use your mind to consider ideas or decisions.
Example: I need time to think before I answer.
Tell
Definition: to give information, instructions, or a story.
Example: Please tell me what happened yesterday.
Touch
Definition: to put your hand on something or affect someone emotionally.
Example: Her words touched everyone in the room.
Trust
Definition: to believe someone is honest or reliable.
Example: I trust her to keep the secret safe.
Turn
Definition: to change direction, position, or state.
Example: Turn the handle slowly to open the window.
Travel
Definition: to go from one place to another.
Example: They travel to new countries whenever they can.
Academic & Formal Verbs Starting with T
Testify
Definition: to give evidence or a formal statement.
Example: The witness testified in court.
Transform
Definition: to change something greatly in form or condition.
Example: Online learning transformed the way students study.
Transcend
Definition: to go beyond normal limits or boundaries.
Example: Great leadership transcends titles and positions.
Translate
Definition: to change words into another language or form.
Example: The report was translated into several languages.
Transmit
Definition: to send information, signals, or disease from one place to another.
Example: The antenna transmits data across long distances.
Terminate
Definition: to end or stop officially.
Example: The contract was terminated due to violations.
Theorize
Definition: to form or suggest a theory or explanation.
Example: Scientists theorize about how the universe began.
Tolerate
Definition: to accept or endure something unpleasant.
Example: People should tolerate differences in culture and opinion.
Tabulate
Definition: to organize numbers or facts in a table.
Example: The survey results were tabulated for easier comparison.
Target
Definition: to aim at a particular person, group, or goal.
Example: The campaign targets young professionals.
Action Verbs that Start with T
Physical Action Verbs
| Verb | Meaning | Sentence Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tackle | to deal with a challenge directly | We tackled the hardest task first. |
| Throw | to send something through the air | He threw the ball to his teammate. |
| Tear | to rip something apart | She tore the letter into pieces. |
| Trim | to cut a small amount to make neat | He trimmed his beard before work. |
| Train | to practice to improve a skill | They trained every day for the competition. |
| Tow | to pull a vehicle with a rope or chain | The truck towed the broken car away. |
| Transport | to carry people or goods | The company transports goods by ship. |
| Trap | to catch and prevent escape | The net trapped the fish near the shore. |
| Tread | to step or walk on something | Please tread carefully on the wet floor. |
| Turn | to rotate or change position | Turn the page and continue reading. |
Mental & Communication Action Verbs
| Verb | Meaning | Sentence Example |
|---|---|---|
| Think | to consider in your mind | Think before you speak. |
| Talk | to speak with someone | We talked about the deadline. |
| Tell | to give information | She told us the good news. |
| Teach | to instruct or explain | He teaches science at a local school. |
| Test | to check quality or ability | The teacher tested our vocabulary. |
| Trace | to follow the history or path of something | Police traced the phone call. |
| Translate | to change into another language | Can you translate this sentence? |
| Trust | to rely on someone | We trust the doctor’s advice. |
| Threaten | to say you will cause harm | He threatened to report the issue. |
| Target | to aim at a specific goal | The program targets community needs. |
Positive Verbs that Start with T
Verbs for Success and Achievement
| Verb | Meaning | Sentence Example |
|---|---|---|
| Thrive | to grow strongly and successfully | Plants thrive with enough sunlight. |
| Triumph | to succeed or win after difficulty | She triumphed over her fears. |
| Transform | to change for the better | Small habits can transform your life. |
| Train | to build skills through practice | He trains consistently to improve. |
| Top | to exceed or be better than | She topped her previous score. |
| Target | to focus on a goal | Target your weak points to improve faster. |
Verbs for Feelings and Relationships
| Verb | Meaning | Sentence Example |
|---|---|---|
| Thank | to express gratitude | Thank your teacher for the support. |
| Trust | to believe in someone | I trust you with this responsibility. |
| Touch | to affect emotionally | The message touched his heart. |
| Treat | to behave toward someone | Treat others the way you want to be treated. |
| Treasure | to value deeply | She treasures her childhood memories. |
| Tolerate | to accept differences | Good friends tolerate mistakes and learn together. |
Important Phrasal Verbs Starting with T
Common Phrasal Verbs with “Take”, “Turn”, “Try”
Take off
Meaning: to leave the ground; also to become successful quickly.
Example: Her online business took off within three months.
Take on
Meaning: to accept responsibility or work.
Example: He took on a new role at the company.
Take up
Meaning: to start a new hobby or activity.
Example: She took up yoga to reduce stress.
Turn down
Meaning: to refuse or reject.
Example: They turned down the offer because it was too low.
Turn up
Meaning: to appear or arrive unexpectedly.
Example: He turned up late to the interview.
Turn into
Meaning: to change into something else.
Example: The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
Try out
Meaning: to test something to see if it works well.
Example: Try out this app before you buy it.
Try on
Meaning: to put on clothing to check size or style.
Example: She tried on the jacket in the store.
Comprehensive List of Verbs that Start with T
| Verb | Pronunciation | Simple Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Tabulate | /ˈtæbjəleɪt/ | arrange data in a table |
| Tackle | /ˈtæk(ə)l/ | deal with a problem |
| Tag | /tæɡ/ | label or mark |
| Tail | /teɪl/ | follow secretly |
| Tailor | /ˈteɪlər/ | adapt for a purpose |
| Taint | /teɪnt/ | spoil or contaminate |
| Take | /teɪk/ | get or receive |
| Tally | /ˈtæli/ | count and record |
| Tame | /teɪm/ | control or make less wild |
| Tamper | /ˈtæmpər/ | interfere secretly |
| Tap | /tæp/ | touch lightly |
| Target | /ˈtɑːrɡɪt/ | aim at |
| Task | /tæsk/ | assign work to |
| Taste | /teɪst/ | try the flavor |
| Tattoo | /tæˈtuː/ | mark skin with ink |
| Taunt | /tɔːnt/ | mock or tease |
| Tax | /tæks/ | charge money by law |
| Teach | /tiːtʃ/ | help someone learn |
| Team up | /tiːm/ | work together |
| Tear | /teər/ | rip apart |
| Tease | /tiːz/ | joke about someone |
| Teem | /tiːm/ | be full of |
| Telecast | /ˈtelikæst/ | broadcast on TV |
| Telephone | /ˈtelɪfoʊn/ | call by phone |
| Televise | /ˈtelɪvaɪz/ | broadcast on television |
| Temper | /ˈtempər/ | make less extreme |
| Tend | /tend/ | care for; usually do |
| Tender | /ˈtendər/ | offer formally |
| Terminate | /ˈtɜːrmɪneɪt/ | end officially |
| Terrify | /ˈterɪfaɪ/ | frighten greatly |
| Terrorize | /ˈterəraɪz/ | frighten repeatedly |
| Test | /test/ | check quality or ability |
| Testify | /ˈtestɪfaɪ/ | give evidence |
| Text | /tekst/ | send a message |
| Thatch | /θætʃ/ | cover a roof with straw |
| Thaw | /θɔː/ | become unfrozen |
| Thank | /θæŋk/ | express gratitude |
| Theorize | /ˈθiːəraɪz/ | form a theory |
| Thicken | /ˈθɪkən/ | make thicker |
| Thin | /θɪn/ | make less thick |
| Think | /θɪŋk/ | use the mind |
| Thrash | /θræʃ/ | hit violently |
| Thread | /θred/ | pass through a hole |
| Threaten | /ˈθret(ə)n/ | say you will harm |
| Throb | /θrɒb/ | beat strongly |
| Throttle | /ˈθrɒt(ə)l/ | control speed; restrict |
| Thrust | /θrʌst/ | push suddenly |
| Thumb | /θʌm/ | turn pages quickly |
| Thunder | /ˈθʌndər/ | make a loud rumble |
| Thwart | /θwɔːrt/ | prevent success |
| Tick | /tɪk/ | make a clock sound |
| Tickle | /ˈtɪk(ə)l/ | touch to cause laughter |
| Tidy | /ˈtaɪdi/ | clean and organize |
| Tie | /taɪ/ | fasten with a knot |
| Tilt | /tɪlt/ | lean to one side |
| Time | /taɪm/ | measure duration |
| Tinge | /tɪndʒ/ | color slightly |
| Tint | /tɪnt/ | shade with color |
| Tire | /ˈtaɪər/ | make tired |
| Toast | /toʊst/ | heat bread; celebrate |
| Tolerate | /ˈtɒləreɪt/ | accept unpleasant things |
| Toll | /toʊl/ | ring slowly; take a cost |
| Tone | /toʊn/ | make firmer/stronger |
| Tool | /tuːl/ | shape or make with tools |
| Top | /tɒp/ | exceed; cover the top |
| Topple | /ˈtɒp(ə)l/ | fall over |
| Torment | /ˈtɔːrment/ | cause suffering |
| Torpedo | /tɔːrˈpiːdoʊ/ | damage badly; ruin |
| Torture | /ˈtɔːrtʃər/ | cause great pain |
| Toss | /tɒs/ | throw lightly |
| Total | /ˈtoʊt(ə)l/ | add up |
| Tout | /taʊt/ | promote strongly |
| Trace | /treɪs/ | find the origin/path |
| Track | /træk/ | follow and record |
| Trade | /treɪd/ | buy and sell |
| Train | /treɪn/ | prepare by practice |
| Trample | /ˈtræmp(ə)l/ | step on heavily |
| Transfer | /trænsˈfɜːr/ | move from one place to another |
| Transform | /trænsˈfɔːrm/ | change completely |
| Translate | /trænzˈleɪt/ | change language |
| Transmit | /trænzˈmɪt/ | send signals/data |
| Transport | /trænˈspɔːrt/ | carry people/goods |
| Trap | /træp/ | catch and hold |
| Travel | /ˈtrævəl/ | go to another place |
| Treat | /triːt/ | behave toward; give special care |
| Tremble | /ˈtremb(ə)l/ | shake slightly |
| Trigger | /ˈtrɪɡər/ | cause something to start |
| Trim | /trɪm/ | cut a small amount |
| Trip | /trɪp/ | stumble; go on a short journey |
| Trouble | /ˈtrʌb(ə)l/ | cause worry or difficulty |
| Trust | /trʌst/ | believe; rely on |
| Try | /traɪ/ | make an effort |
| Tuck | /tʌk/ | push/put in neatly |
| Tug | /tʌɡ/ | pull strongly |
| Tumble | /ˈtʌmb(ə)l/ | fall suddenly |
| Tune | /tuːn/ | adjust; make musical |
| Turn | /tɜːrn/ | change direction/state |
| Tweak | /twiːk/ | make a small change |
| Twinkle | /ˈtwɪŋk(ə)l/ | shine with small flashes |
| Twitch | /twɪtʃ/ | move suddenly |
| Type | /taɪp/ | write using a keyboard |
| Typeset | /ˈtaɪpˌset/ | prepare text for printing |
Confusing T Verbs & Common Mistakes
Threat vs. Threaten
Threat is a noun (a danger), while threaten is a verb (to say you will cause harm).
Example: He threatened to cancel the deal if they refused.
Teach vs. Learn
Teach means to give knowledge; learn means to receive knowledge.
Example: She teaches grammar, and her students learn quickly.
Televise vs. Television
Televise is a verb (to broadcast), while television is a noun (the device or medium).
Example: The match will be televised live.
Exercises: Test Your Knowledge on “T” Verbs
Fill in the blanks
- The coach will _____ the team for the final match.
- Please _____ your name and phone number on this form.
- We need to _____ our results and compare them with last year.
- Try to _____ calm when you speak in public.
- They decided to _____ abroad after graduation.
- He will _____ the report into English for the meeting.
- Thank you for _____ me with the project.
- The company plans to _____ the old system with a new one.
Match the definition
Match each verb to its meaning.
- Transform
- Trace
- Tolerate
- Tabulate
- Tug
- A. to accept something unpleasant
- B. to find the origin or path of something
- C. to pull strongly
- D. to change completely
- E. to arrange information in a table
Answer Key
Fill in the blanks:
1. train
2. type
3. tabulate
4. stay
5. travel
6. translate
7. trusting
8. transform
Match the definition:
1-D, 2-B, 3-A, 4-E, 5-C
Related:
- Adjectives that Start with T
- Nouns that Start with T
- Words that Start with T
- Positive Words that Start with T
Learn more A–Z Verbs
- Verbs that Start with A
- Verbs that Start with B
- Verbs that Start with C
- Verbs that Start with D
- Verbs that Start with E
- Verbs that Start with F
- Verbs that Start with G
- Verbs that Start with H
- Verbs that Start with I
- Verbs that Start with J
- Verbs that Start with K
- Verbs that Start with L
- Verbs that Start with M
- Verbs that Start with N
- Verbs that Start with O
- Verbs that Start with P
- Verbs that Start with Q
- Verbs that Start with R
- Verbs that Start with S
- Verbs that Start with T
- Verbs that Start with U
- Verbs that Start with V
- Verbs that Start with W
- Verbs that Start with X
- Verbs that Start with Y
- Verbs that Start with Z