Words that Start with Y

A complete list of words that start with Y! In the modern English alphabet, Y is the twenty-fifth letter. Y originally 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.

Table of Contents

What Are Y Words?

The letter Y can 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, Y was 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 letter Y in place of the Þ. As a result, the letter Y became more commonly used. So much so that eventually, it retained its place in the alphabet, while Þ was removed.

The letter Y does 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 that Y can make.

When Y appears 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 a one-syllable word, it makes the sound of a long I: “eye” (such as in “dry”). When Y appears at the end of a multi-syllable word, it makes the sound of a long E: “ee” (such as in “factory”).

The Y also 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 the Y in your word slows smoothly, then it is considered a vowel.

If there is a “break” in your breath when pronouncing the word, the Y is considered a consonant (such as in “lawyer”).

It may help to think of it this way: Y is considered a vowel if:

The word has no other vowel (such as “gym”),
The Y is at the end of a syllable (such as “fancy”),
The Y is in the middle of a syllable (such as “rhythm”)

Fortunately, you are usually not going to be quizzed as to whether Y is a vowel or a consonant!

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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 with Y 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 Image

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