Verbs that start with "n" run the gamut from nestle and nuzzle to nettle and needle. They can create a homey environment as you nest, or cause stress as you nitpick. You’ll notice some of the verbs listed are words often used in noun form. So, it’ll be interesting to see them functioning in a different capacity. Let's kick things off with a quick review of verbs before we nominate our top 50 "n" verbs.
What Is a Verb?
A verb is a word that expresses action or a state of being. Verbs typically, though not always, appear after the subject of a sentence and before the object of a sentence. For example, "Nancy needs to walk to the grocery store." In this sentence, "Nancy" is the subject, "needs" is the verb showing action, and "grocery store" is the object receiving the action of the verb.
50 Verbs Starting With N
Verbs that start with "n" are an interesting bunch. Some of the verbs listed are commonly used as nouns, such as nail, nest and note. It’s interesting to watch them shapeshift into action words, which opens up new ways to use familiar terms. Enjoy exploring 50 common verbs that begin with the letter "n."
| Verb | Definition |
nab |
to seize suddenly, snatch, or steal |
nag |
to constantly urge, annoy, or scold |
nail |
to join one surface to another using a metal spike with a flat head |
name |
to give a title (name) to a person, place, or thing or to specify who or what is responsible |
nap |
to sleep for a brief period of time, usually during the day |
narrate |
to tell a story; to convey what happened |
narrow |
to reduce in width or extent |
nationalize |
to convert from private control to governmental control |
natter |
to talk idly or chatter |
naturalize |
to confer the rights of citizenship upon an immigrant |
nauseate |
to cause to feel sick |
navigate |
to plan your course; to steer, guide or move through something |
neaten |
to put in order and make neat |
necessitate |
to cause something to become required due to something else |
need |
to require something |
needle |
to annoy someone by nagging or criticizing |
negate |
to prove false or to render ineffective |
neglect |
to fail to reasonably care for someone or something |
negotiate |
to confer with the goal of reaching an agreement |
neigh |
to make a sound similar to a horse's cry |
nest |
to create and settle into a warm and secure refuge |
nestle |
to settle down comfortably and snugly |
nettle |
to annoy or irritate |
network |
to build connections with professional contacts |
neuter |
to make something less powerful; to make a being unable to reproduce |
neutralize |
to make ineffective, destroy, or counteract |
nibble |
to take small bites |
nick |
to put a tiny cut in something |
nickname |
to give an additional or substitute name to someone or something |
niggle |
to complain or find fault in a petty or nagging way |
nip |
to pinch or bite |
nitpick |
to find fault with someone or something in a finicky or petty manner |
nod |
to quickly raise and lower the head, usually in agreement |
nominate |
to name or appoint to an office or position |
nonconform |
to be inconsistent with a standard; to not conform |
normalize |
to adjust so something is consistent with a standard or norm |
notarize |
to certify or attest to the validity of a signature on a document |
notate |
to make a note in words or music |
note |
to notate; to mark something |
notice |
to become aware of something |
notify |
to inform or make known |
nourish |
to feed or develop |
novelize |
to adapt something into a novel (fictional book) form |
nudge |
a gentle push to get attention or give a signal |
nullify |
to invalidate something or cancel the effectiveness of something |
numb |
to cause to become without feeling |
numerate |
to count; to work with numbers |
nurse |
to provide medical attention or care |
nurture |
to encourage the development or growth of another |
nuzzle |
to gently push or rub against |
Types of Verbs
The majority of verbs in the English language are action verbs. The English language also includes helping verbs and linking verbs, but those types don't include any verbs that start with "n." Action verbs, also known as dynamic verbs, express the action of the sentence, whether that’s physical or mental. For example, "Dr. Goodwell had to notify the husband of his wife’s death."
There are many examples of action verbs. Action verbs can be regular or irregular. There aren't any common irregular verbs that start with "n," though there is quite a long list of irregular verbs that begin with other letters.
- Regular verbs change from present tense to past tense with the simple addition of -ed at the end. For example, "They couldn’t name their child Ned, so they named him Nathan."
- Irregular verbs are ones that don't follow a pattern when changing to the past tense. If you added -ed to an irregular verb, it would not make a real word ("meet" becomes "met," not "meeted").
10 Example Sentences of N-Verbs
Explore how an "n" verb can work to provide action in a sentence.
- She knew she was going to nab the last notebook in the store.
- His voice is well-suited to narrate the story.
- The pirate captain knows how to navigate a ship.
- We’re going to have to negotiate better terms.
- She loves to nest in her new home.
- Barbers try not to nick their clients with the razor blade.
- If you agree, nod your head.
- I’m going to notate everything he says.
- Green tea will nourish your body.
- Claire is going to nurse you back to health.
Nurture and Novelize
Verbs are just the beginning when it comes to words that begin with the letter "n." Strengthen your vocabulary by navigating even more words that start with "n" — in numerous parts of speech — via WordFinder by YourDictionary. The more you nurture your vocabulary, the better prepared you'll be to novelize your life. Some of the best writers maintain a vocabulary list they can turn to when the words aren’t flowing on their own. You can do the same with a substantial list of verbs and add variety to your writing. How about another popular letter? Enjoy this list of verbs that start "o."