Verbs That Start With I
Table of Contents
List of Top 50 Verbs That Start With I
Verb |
Definition |
Example |
Idealize |
To regard something as perfect or better than it is |
"She idealized life in the countryside." |
Identify |
To recognize or label something |
"The witness identified the suspect." |
Idle |
To do nothing or remain inactive |
"The car idled at the stoplight." |
Idolize |
To admire or revere greatly |
"She idolized her favorite singer." |
Ignite |
To set on fire or spark an emotion |
"He ignited the match to start the fire." |
Ignore |
To refuse to notice or acknowledge |
"She ignored the warning signs." |
Illuminate |
To light up or make something clear |
"The lantern illuminated the dark path." |
Illustrate |
To explain or clarify with examples or visuals |
"He illustrated his point with a diagram." |
Imagine |
To form a mental picture of something |
"She imagined herself traveling the world." |
Imbibe |
To drink or absorb |
"He imbibed the wisdom of ancient texts." |
Imbue |
To inspire or permeate with a quality |
"The speech was imbued with hope." |
Imitate |
To copy someone or something |
"The child imitated her older brother." |
Immerse |
To involve deeply or submerge in liquid |
"She immersed herself in her studies." |
Immigrate |
To move to a new country to live |
"They immigrated to Canada for a better life." |
Immobilize |
To prevent movement |
"The doctor immobilized his injured leg." |
Immortalize |
To make something eternal or long-lasting |
"The artist immortalized her in a painting." |
Immunize |
To make someone resistant to disease |
"Children are immunized against measles." |
Impair |
To weaken or damage something |
"Lack of sleep impaired his ability to focus." |
Impart |
To give or convey something |
"She imparted her knowledge to her students." |
Impeach |
To accuse or charge someone in authority |
"The politician was impeached for corruption." |
Impede |
To obstruct or delay |
"The roadblock impeded traffic for hours." |
Impersonate |
To mimic or pretend to be someone else |
"He impersonated the famous actor for fun." |
Implant |
To insert or establish something permanently |
"The surgeon implanted a pacemaker." |
Implement |
To carry out or put into effect |
"The school implemented a new dress code." |
Implicate |
To show involvement in a crime or action |
"The evidence implicated him in the robbery." |
Implode |
To collapse inward |
"The building imploded after the demolition charges were set." |
Implore |
To beg earnestly |
"She implored him to reconsider his decision." |
Imply |
To suggest without stating directly |
"His tone implied dissatisfaction." |
Import |
To bring goods or information into a place |
"They import electronics from Japan." |
Impose |
To force something to be accepted or done |
"The government imposed a new tax on goods." |
Impress |
To make someone admire or respect something |
"She impressed her boss with her dedication." |
Improve |
To make better |
"The program improved his language skills." |
Incarcerate |
To imprison |
"The suspect was incarcerated for theft." |
Incinerate |
To burn something completely |
"The waste was incinerated in a large furnace." |
Incite |
To stir up or provoke |
"His speech incited the crowd to protest." |
Include |
To contain or add as part of a group |
"The package includes a free user guide." |
Incorporate |
To combine into a whole |
"They incorporated modern design into the renovation." |
Increase |
To make something larger in size or number |
"The company increased production this quarter." |
Indicate |
To show or point out |
"The arrow indicates the correct direction." |
Indulge |
To allow oneself to enjoy something |
"She indulged in her favorite dessert after dinner." |
Infect |
To transmit disease or harmful influence |
"The virus infected thousands in the city." |
Influence |
To affect or change something |
"His speech influenced many voters." |
Inform |
To give information or knowledge |
"The teacher informed the class about the trip." |
Insert |
To put something into something else |
"She inserted the key into the lock." |
Inspire |
To motivate or fill with creative energy |
"Her story inspired the audience." |
Interpret |
To explain the meaning of something |
"He interpreted the poem for the class." |
Interrupt |
To stop something temporarily |
"She interrupted the speaker with a question." |
Intrude |
To enter uninvited or interfere |
"He intruded on their private conversation." |
Invest |
To allocate resources for future benefit |
"She invested her savings in stocks." |
Itch |
To feel discomfort on the skin requiring scratching |
"Her mosquito bite itched all night." |
Featured Verbs Grouped by Topics
Daily Activities
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Insert: To put something into another thing.
Example: "She inserted the card into the machine."
Synonyms: Embed, Place, Slot. -
Inform: To give someone information.
Example: "The guide informed us about the historical site."
Synonyms: Notify, Advise, Update. -
Increase: To make something larger or greater.
Example: "The company increased salaries last year."
Synonyms: Expand, Boost, Raise.
Emotions and Mental Actions
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Imagine: To form a mental picture.
Example: "She imagined a peaceful beach while meditating."
Synonyms: Envision, Visualize. -
Imply: To suggest something without stating it directly.
Example: "His smile implied he was pleased."
Synonyms: Hint, Suggest. -
Inspire: To motivate or stimulate creativity.
Example: "The athlete’s perseverance inspired many fans."
Synonyms: Encourage, Influence.
Professional and Technical Contexts
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Implement: To put a plan or decision into effect.
Example: "The school implemented a new attendance policy."
Synonyms: Enforce, Execute. -
Incorporate: To combine or integrate.
Example: "The recipe incorporates local ingredients."
Synonyms: Merge, Blend. -
Invest: To allocate resources for future benefit.
Example: "He invested in a promising startup."
Synonyms: Commit, Allocate.
Everyday Use of Verbs Starting With I
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Include
-
Example: "The list includes all the necessary tools."
-
Commonly used for groupings or collections.
-
Identify
-
Example: "Can you identify the man in the photo?"
-
Frequently used for recognition and classification.
-
Improve
-
Example: "She improved her cooking skills over the summer."
-
Widely used to express growth or enhancement.
Common Mistakes
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Confusing “Imply” with “Infer”
-
Mistake: "She inferred that he was upset."
-
Correction: "She implied that he was upset."
-
Tip: "Imply" is done by the speaker; "infer" is done by the listener.
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Using “Increase” Without Specificity
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Mistake: "The sales increased."
-
Correction: "The sales increased by 20% last month."
-
Tip: Always add details for clarity.
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Mixing Up “Incorporate” and “Include”
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Mistake: "The recipe includes different cooking methods."
-
Correction: "The recipe incorporates different cooking methods."
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Tip: Use "include" for listing; "incorporate" for blending.
FAQ
What’s the difference between “Imply” and “Infer”?
"Imply" is to suggest indirectly, while "infer" is to deduce from information.
Can “Imagine” be used for future planning?
Yes, e.g., "Imagine how great the project will be when it’s done."
What are synonyms for “Inspire”?
Motivate, Encourage, Stimulate.
How is “Immigrate” different from “Emigrate”?
"Immigrate" means to move into a new country, while "emigrate" means to leave one’s country.
Can “Invest” refer to time, not just money?
Yes, e.g., "She invested time in learning a new skill."