Verbs That Start With X, Y and Z

What's the definition of a verb? Well, it has so many facets that the best we can say at a short glance is that it's a word that carries out the action of a sentence. Of course, verbs also do other things like help other verbs and link other components of a sentence together. But, by and large, they're the action-givers of a sentence. Explore some of the most popular verbs that start with "x," "y" and "z," then learn a bit more about the function of this all-important part of speech.

24 Verbs Starting With X, Y and Z

While there aren't a lot of verbs that begin with the last three letters of the alphabet, the English language does include more than just a few. Review a total of two dozen verbs that start with "x,' "y" and "z," along with a short definition and some synonyms that can be substituted for each one.

Verb	Definition	Synonyms
x-ray	to photograph the internal make-up of something using electromagnetic radiation	radiograph, take a picture of the inside
xerox	to make a paper copy with office equipment	photocopy, duplicate, reproduce
yak	to talk a lot about nothing of importance	babble, blather, chat
yammer	to talk on and on	babble, chatter, yap
yank	to pull sharply	jerk, pluck, wrench
yap	to make a sharp, shrill bark	yelp, yip, woof
yawn	to open one's mouth widely and breathe in	gape, gaping
yearn	to desire something strongly	crave, desire, hanker
yell	to raise your voice and shout	bawl, bellow, scream
yellow	to become yellow, often due to age	tinge, age, turn
yelp	to utter a short, sharp cry or bark	yip, squeal, shriek
yield	to give in	acquiesce, submit, acquiesce
yip	to emit a yelp	bleat, screech, yap
yodel	to sing or call with abrupt alternating changes between ordinary register and falsetto	warble, descant, quaver
yoke	to join together	bond, attach, secure
yowl	to utter a long, mournful cry	bawl, bay, wail
zap	to hit something with a vigorous strike	bash, slam, thwack
zero-in	to concentrate directly on a target	focus, fixate, hone-in
zest	to remove small pieces from the rind of a citrus fruit for flavoring	flavor, season, grate
zigzag	to move in a pattern on a line with sharp turns and angles	twist, cross-cross, snake
zip	to move quickly	dash, hurry, zoom
zone	to divide an area for a certain purpose	partition, carve, cut
zonk-out	to fall asleep suddenly	blackout, pass out, crash
zoom	to move quickly	buzz, dash, whiz

Types of Verbs

English verbs that start with "x," "y" and "z" are action verbs, which means that they are used to indicate the sentence's action. However, you may find yourself needing to use a helping verb to extend the meaning of a main verb that begins with one of these letters. You may even come across or write some sentences that have other types of words that start with these letters that simply need to be linked to another word. Fortunately, there are a few different types of verbs.

Action verbs are, by far, the most common verb type. If you are with someone who yammers on and on, you just might find yourself needing to yawn. These terms are examples of action verbs that start with "y." They're performing specific actions.
Helping verbs are used quite often. They work in conjunction with a main verb to extend its meaning. While there aren't any "x," "y" or "z" helping verbs, these words can be paired with main (action) verbs that start with this letter. For example, "Yanni is yodeling." Here, the helping verb (is) is paired with yodeling.
Linking verbs are a little different. They don't describe any action, so don't have to be paired with a main verb. These verbs link the subject of the sentence to additional information. Linking verbs are often "to be" verbs (is, are, were). An example would be, "Zane and Zuzu are zebras."

10 Example Sentences

Why not try to use more verbs from the end of the alphabet in your conversations or writing? You can find ways to fit them in. Consider the formula for a simple sentence: subject + verb + direct object. In the sentence, "Xavier xeroxed many copies," "Xavier" is the subject, "xeroxed" is the verb, and "many copies" is the direct object. Review a few more sample sentences for inspiration.

Please x-ray his right shoulder.
Why does he yak all the time?
Yank that loose thread off my skirt.
Don't yawn during practice.
I yearn for brighter days.
We watched his eyes yellow from jaundice.
The young married couple must yoke themselves together.
They watched the yellow Ferrari zigzag up the road.
When are they going to zone the land for our house?
Please zoom in on those foolish children.

Valiant Verbs

Verbs are a pretty valiant bunch, aren't they? They have the strength to carry the subject of the sentence to full fruition. If you're just joining YourDictionary's verb series at the end, start back at the beginning with verbs that start with "a." Or, don't stop with just verbs. Explore words from other parts of speech that start with the letters at the end of the alphabet. Use the word list tool on WordFinder by YourDictionary to explore words that start with "x." Then, move on to words that begin with "y." Finally, consider terms that start with "z." May your newly strengthened vocabulary and love of English language learning carry you on some epic journeys.