Updated on December 24, 2024
by PushtoLearn
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Verbs That Start With D

This article lists top 50 verbs starting with D, along with their definitions and examples. Most common verbs include to dance, to do, to dive and to drive.

List of Top 50 Commonly Used Verbs that Start with D

Word

Definition

Example

Dance

To move rhythmically to music

"She danced gracefully at the wedding."

Dare

To have the courage to do something

"He dared to climb the tall mountain."

Damage

To harm or spoil something

"The storm damaged several buildings."

Decorate

To add items to improve appearance

"We decorated the room for her birthday."

Delay

To postpone or make something late

"The train was delayed by 30 minutes."

Deliver

To bring or hand over something

"They delivered the package on time."

Demand

To insist on having something

"She demanded an explanation for the delay."

Deny

To refuse to acknowledge or accept

"He denied knowing anything about the accident."

Depend

To rely on someone or something

"The success of the project depends on teamwork."

Describe

To give details about something

"She described the painting vividly."

Design

To plan or create something

"He designed a new app for the company."

Destroy

To ruin or annihilate completely

"The fire destroyed their home."

Detect

To discover or identify

"The sensor detected smoke in the room."

Determine

To decide or conclude

"The results will determine the winner."

Develop

To grow or cause to grow

"She developed her writing skills over time."

Devote

To dedicate time or effort to something

"He devoted his life to helping others."

Diagnose

To identify an illness or problem

"The doctor diagnosed her with pneumonia."

Differ

To be unlike or distinct

"Their opinions differ on the issue."

Dig

To break up and move earth

"He dug a hole to plant the tree."

Direct

To manage or guide

"She directed the movie with precision."

Discover

To find something unexpectedly

"They discovered a hidden cave in the forest."

Discuss

To talk about something with others

"We discussed our vacation plans during lunch."

Dislike

To not like something

"She dislikes spicy food."

Distribute

To give out or share

"The teacher distributed the worksheets."

Dive

To jump into water or plunge into an activity

"He dived into the pool with enthusiasm."

Divide

To separate into parts

"The cake was divided into eight slices."

Do

To perform or carry out

"He always does his homework."

Dominate

To have control or influence over

"The team dominated the competition."

Drag

To pull something along the ground

"She dragged the chair across the room."

Drain

To remove liquid from something

"The plumber drained the water from the sink."

Draw

To create an image using a pencil or pen

"He loves to draw pictures of animals."

Dream

To have visions during sleep or aspire to something

"She dreams of traveling the world."

Dress

To put on clothes or decorate

"He dressed in a formal suit for the event."

Drink

To consume liquid

"She drank a cup of tea."

Drive

To operate a vehicle

"He drove to the city early this morning."

Drop

To let something fall

"She accidentally dropped her keys."

Drown

To submerge and suffocate in water

"He nearly drowned in the deep lake."

Dry

To remove moisture

"The clothes dried quickly in the sun."

Dust

To remove dirt from a surface

"He dusted the shelves thoroughly."

Dye

To change the color of something

"She dyed her hair a vibrant red."

Duplicate

To make an exact copy

"The assistant duplicated the files for backup."

Dedicate

To commit time or effort to something

"She dedicated her book to her family."

Debate

To discuss or argue different viewpoints

"The candidates debated their policies."

Dominate

To control or influence strongly

"She dominated the conversation at the meeting."

Decrease

To make something smaller in size or amount

"The company decreased production costs."

Deliver

To fulfill or carry out a promise

"The team delivered excellent results."

Detect

To sense or identify something

"He detected a faint smell of smoke."

Delay

To make something happen later

"The bad weather delayed our flight."

Defer

To postpone or delay

"He deferred his decision until next week."

Decline

To refuse politely or become smaller

"She declined the invitation to the party."

Communication Verbs

  1. Describe
    Definition: To give a detailed account of something.
    Example: "She described the new product to the investors."
    Synonyms: Explain, Depict, Illustrate.

  2. Discuss
    Definition: To exchange ideas or opinions.
    Example: "We discussed our plans for the weekend."
    Synonyms: Debate, Talk, Converse.

  3. Debate
    Definition: To formally argue different points of view.
    Example: "The candidates debated over the policies."
    Synonyms: Argue, Dispute, Contest.

Action Verbs

  1. Dance
    Definition: To move rhythmically to music.
    Example: "They danced to their favorite song at the party."
    Synonyms: Groove, Perform, Sway.

  2. Drive
    Definition: To operate a vehicle.
    Example: "He drives to work every morning."
    Synonyms: Steer, Maneuver, Operate.

  3. Dive
    Definition: To jump into water headfirst.
    Example: "She dived into the pool from the diving board."
    Synonyms: Plunge, Leap, Submerge.

Emotional Verbs

  1. Dislike
    Definition: To not like or find unpleasant.
    Example: "He dislikes crowded places."
    Synonyms: Hate, Abhor, Despise.

  2. Dream
    Definition: To imagine or aspire to something.
    Example: "She dreams of starting her own business."
    Synonyms: Envision, Aspire, Imagine.

  3. Devote
    Definition: To dedicate oneself to a cause or task.
    Example: "He devoted his weekends to volunteering."
    Synonyms: Dedicate, Commit, Pledge.

Illustration of Verbs That Start With D

Everyday Use of Verbs

  1. Do

    • Example: "I do my homework every day."

    • One of the most common verbs in English, covering actions or tasks.

  2. Describe

    • Example: "Can you describe your experience?"

    • Often used in storytelling and explanations.

  3. Deliver

    • Example: "The courier delivered the package on time."

    • Essential for services and logistics.

Common Mistakes

  1. Confusing “Describe” and “Explain”

    • Mistake: "He explained the painting’s beauty."

    • Correction: "He described the painting’s beauty."

  2. Using “Deny” Instead of “Refuse”

    • Mistake: "She denied to help."

    • Correction: "She refused to help."

  3. Misusing “Do” for More Specific Verbs

    • Mistake: "He did the drawing."

    • Correction: "He drew the picture."

FAQ

What’s the difference between “Depend” and “Rely”?

"Depend" indicates necessity, while "rely" implies trust or support.

How do I use “Describe” in a sentence?

Use it to provide details, e.g., "She described the scene beautifully."

Can “Develop” be used for personal growth?

Yes, e.g., "She developed her leadership skills through practice."

Is “Drive” always about vehicles?

No, it can also mean to motivate, e.g., "Her ambition drives her success."

How do I differentiate “Detect” and “Discover”?

"Detect" means to notice or identify something hidden, while "discover" refers to finding something new.

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