Words ending
in U.

A large, fast-running Australian bird that cannot fly.

Origin: Portuguese ema (cassowary)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

Influenza, an illness caused by a virus, with fever, aches and a cough.

Origin: Short for influenza

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A large African antelope, also called a wildebeest.

Origin: Khoikhoi t'gnu

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

The 19th letter of the Greek alphabet.

Origin: Greek, of Semitic origin

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

The person or people someone is speaking or writing to.

Origin: Old English ēow

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A pale grayish-yellow or light brown color; beige.

Origin: French écru (unbleached, raw)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A religious teacher and guide in Hinduism; also, a trusted expert or adviser.

Origin: Hindi, from Sanskrit guru (teacher)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A large African antelope; the male has long spiral horns.

Origin: Afrikaans koedoe, from Khoikhoi

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

Place or stead, mostly in the phrase in lieu of (instead of).

Origin: Anglo-French liu, lieu, from Latin locus (place)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A Hawaiian feast, often held outdoors.

Origin: Hawaiian lū'au

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A list of the dishes you can order in a restaurant; also, a list of choices on a computer screen.

Origin: French menu (small, detailed)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

An old word for you, used when talking to one person.

Origin: Old English thū

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A soft, pale food made from soybean milk.

Origin: Japanese tōfu

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A short skirt that sticks out, worn by a ballet dancer.

Origin: French tutu, from baby talk

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A kind of cattle from India with a large hump over the shoulders.

Origin: French zébu

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

Goodbye, farewell.

Origin: Anglo-French a dieu (to God)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A slow-moving, marshy creek or stream, especially in Louisiana.

Origin: Louisiana French, perhaps from Choctaw

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A small, delicate jewel or ornament; also, something small and elegant.

Origin: French, from Breton bizou (ring)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A short Japanese form of poem; in English it often has three lines of five, seven and five syllables.

Origin: Japanese

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A fast-growing Asian vine that can cover trees and buildings.

Origin: Japanese kuzu

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A four-wheeled carriage with a top that folds back in two parts.

Origin: Named after Landau, a town in Germany

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

The setting or surroundings someone lives or works in.

Origin: French mi (middle) + lieu (place)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A long, loose, brightly colored dress first worn in Hawaii.

Origin: Hawaiian mu'umu'u

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A large deer of cold northern regions, called reindeer in Europe.

Origin: Micmac qalipu (snow-shoveler)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

Made or done on the spot, without any preparation.

Origin: French, from Latin in promptu (in readiness)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A Japanese art of fighting without weapons, using holds and throws.

Origin: Japanese jūjutsu (gentle art)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A small, long-tailed rain-forest animal of Central and South America, related to the raccoon.

Origin: French, of Algonquian origin

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A Japanese massage that presses on points of the body with the fingers.

Origin: Japanese shi- (finger) + -atsu (pressure)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A smaller menu that opens from a choice on another menu, on a computer screen.

Origin: sub- + menu

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

An Italian dessert made of ladyfingers, coffee and mascarpone cheese.

Origin: Italian tiramisù (pick me up!)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A boyfriend; also, an old word for a man who cares a lot about his clothes.

Origin: French beau (beautiful)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A government office or department; also, a chest of drawers or a writing desk.

Origin: French bureau (desk), from a woolen cloth used on desks

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A castle or large country house in France.

Origin: French château, from Latin castellum (fortress)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04 (entry château)

A rich, fancy cake.

Origin: French gâteau

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04 (entry gâteau)

A large area of high, flat land; also, a time when progress levels off.

Origin: French plateau, from plat (flat)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A word made by joining parts of two words, such as brunch (breakfast + lunch); also, a large suitcase.

Origin: French porte-manteau (carry + coat)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A striking scene or picture, often posed by people standing still on a stage.

Origin: French, from tablel (little table or panel)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

The clothes and household things a bride collects for her marriage.

Origin: French, from trousse (bundle)

Source: Merriam-Webster, checked 2026-11-04

A country on the west coast of South America.

Origin: Place name

Source: Proper noun, not checked

The capital city of Hawaii.

Origin: Place name

Source: Proper noun, not checked

A city in Mali, often used to mean a very faraway place.

Origin: Place name

Source: Proper noun, not checked

European Union.

Origin: Abbreviation

Source: Abbreviation, not checked