Updated on December 25, 2024
by PushtoLearn
Test your English

Verbs That Start With I

Verbs beginning with I cover a wide range of actions, from physical processes like "ignite" to mental activities like "imagine."

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."

Daily Activities

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.

Illustration of Verbs That Start With I

Everyday Use of Verbs Starting With I

  1. Include

    • Example: "The list includes all the necessary tools."

    • Commonly used for groupings or collections.

  2. Identify

    • Example: "Can you identify the man in the photo?"

    • Frequently used for recognition and classification.

  3. Improve

    • Example: "She improved her cooking skills over the summer."

    • Widely used to express growth or enhancement.

Common Mistakes

  1. 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.

  2. Using “Increase” Without Specificity

    • Mistake: "The sales increased."

    • Correction: "The sales increased by 20% last month."

    • Tip: Always add details for clarity.

  3. Mixing Up “Incorporate” and “Include”

    • Mistake: "The recipe includes different cooking methods."

    • Correction: "The recipe incorporates different cooking methods."

    • 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."

Follow us
Free grammar and vocabulary exercises, ESL worksheets, lesson plans, tests and tools for students and teachers
@ 2025 PushtoLearn