40 Christmas Words That Start With U (List With Meanings)

The holidays are upon us, and now is the time to start making your lists and checking them twice. These lists include your list of words that begin with U, which can help you teach younger children about the holiday and help expand your vocabulary. Plus, knowing other words can help you create unique, fun, and festive crafts just in time for Christmas card exchanges and gift-giving.

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Here’s a list of Christmas words that start with the letter U, including their meanings:

Uglify

To make something ugly or worsen the attractiveness of an item.

Example: My sister did not have an ugly sweater to wear to our Christmas party, so she took it upon herself to uglify one of her older sweaters.

Ugly Sweater

A holiday-themed sweater that is very bold and tacky.

Example: Mom always likes to plan a fun, themed Christmas party and is hosting an ugly sweater party this year.

Ukulele

A small four-stringed guitar of Hawaiian origin.

Example: My brother loved music and enjoyed learning how to play different instruments, so he was so excited to receive a ukulele from Santa Claus.

Ulcer

An open sore that is typically found on an internal surface of the body caused by a break in the tissue or when the mucus membrane fails to heal.

Example: Dad was so worried about the incoming storm and having family traveling on the highways to come to visit for Christmas that mom thought he would give himself an ulcer.

Ultimate

Being or occurring at the end of a process or sequence or the best possible accomplishment.

Example: Cooking Christmas dinner for more than 20 people was my mom and Grandma’s ultimate holiday accomplishment.

Ultrahot

Something extremely hot or scorching.

Example: The old Christmas lights on our tree were ultrahot; we thought it was time to buy new ones before they set our tree on fire.

Ultrasoft

Incredibly soft or extraordinarily soft.

Example: The blanket my grandparents gave me for Christmas was ultrasoft. I haven’t ever felt anything as soft and cuddly as it.

Umpire

An official who watches over a game or acts as an arbitrator to enforce the rules and maintain order during gameplay.

Example: When it comes time to open the Christmas gifts, the older siblings are in charge of playing umpire as the smaller kids fight to get to their presents first.

Unable

Not having the skill, means, or opportunity to do something.

Example: It was snowing in Chicago, and my uncle could not fly out to see us in Florida for Christmas this year.

Unanimously

Without opposition or to do something where everyone agrees.

Example: We had a family meeting after Thanksgiving, and we unanimously voted for us to spend Christmas in Southern California this year instead of staying home in the cold.

Unapproachable

Someone or an institution that is not welcoming or friendly.

Example: The Santa at the mall this year was very unapproachable, so we decided to go to a mall in a nearby town to visit a friendlier Santa Claus.

Unarmed

Not having or being equipped with a weapon.

Example: This year, we received Nerf guns from Santa, and I was able to hide my brother’s gun, leaving him unarmed when my sister and I started the Nerf gunfight.

Unbelievable

Something that is not likely to be true or not believed by others.

Example: It was snowing so much that it was unbelievable that anyone in our family could make it to our home for Christmas dinner.

Unbox

To remove something from a box or packaging.

Example: Before wrapping our presents, mom and dad had to unbox our gifts from the shipping packages to ensure they received the right items.

Uncomfortable

Feeling slight pain or physical discomfort.

Example: After falling while ice skating, it was very uncomfortable for me to sit on the floor. I had to sit on the couch with a heating pad all day on Christmas.

Unconditional compassion

The act of being sympathetic to the suffering of others.

Example: Lana has always had unconditional compassion for others in our community, one of the main reasons she volunteers at local food banks during the Christmas season.

Uncle

The brother of someone’s mother or father.

Example: Every year, I look forward to my uncle coming over for Christmas because he always has fantastic adventures and stories to share with us.

Uncoil

To straighten something from a curled position.

Example: I started to help dad uncoil the lights to prepare them to hang up, but the idea of baking Christmas cookies sounded more fun.

Uncontrollable

Something or someone that is not controllable.

Example: The kids were so full of sugar and excitement waiting for Christmas break to start their teacher was beginning to wonder if they were uncontrollable.

Under

Extending or being directly below something.

Example: It is always a fantastic sight to see the many Christmas presents from Santa under the tree.

Undercooked

Something that is insufficiently cooked or cooked less than customarily preferred.

Example: I was so afraid the turkey would come out undercooked that I left it in the oven longer than it should have been and ended up burning it.

Underneath

Situated directly below something or someone.

Example: I tried to look underneath my parents’ bed to see if that was where they were hiding our Christmas presents. Unfortunately, it was not where they were.

Undertake

To promise to do a particular thing.

Example: My mom’s sister decided she would undertake the responsibility of cooking Christmas dinner, giving my Grandma a year off so she could enjoy the festivities with the family.

Unemployed

Not having a job.

Example: To help those who may be unemployed during the Christmas season, my family always adopts another family, bringing them Christmas dinner, cookies, and presents.

Uneven

Something that is not level, smooth, or even.

Example: The ice at the skating rink was uneven, and it caused me to trip, fall, and break my ankle, meaning I would be wearing a cast to Christmas dinner.

Unfortunate

Being unlucky or marked with bad fortune.

Example: It was unfortunate that my cousins could not visit this Christmas, but at least my aunt and uncle could join us.

Unhealthy

Something that is harmful to a person’s health or a person who does not show good health.

Example: There are so many unhealthy foods available during Christmas that avoiding the abundance of cookies, cakes, and goodies is challenging.

Union

The act of joining forces with another person or group of people.

Example: Santa’s elves created a union, and after they send him off on his way with the presents, they join together to celebrate and drink hot cocoa.

Unique

Being the only one of its kind.

Example: Grandma made everyone in the family a new crochet blanket, ensuring each was unique.

Unity

The state of being united or joined together as a whole.

Example: The community showed unity as they gathered to show support during this year’s Christmas fundraiser for the school.

Unlit

Not provided with light.

Example: I always hate when the holidays are over, and the Christmas tree is left unlit until we have time to take it down.

Unselfish

The act of putting the needs of others before your own.

Example: It is very unselfish of those who take time away from their families to volunteer during Christmas.

Unselfishness

The quality of giving more time to the needs of other people, things, organizations, etc., than your own needs.

Example: John will be remembered for his unselfishness as he was always one to put the needs of others before his, especially during the holidays.

Unwrap

To remove the wrapping paper from something, such as a present.

Example: The kids were getting impatient because they could no longer wait to unwrap their Christmas presents.

Unwrapped

To have removed the wrapping paper from something or to leave a gift without paper coverage.

Example: The twins’ bikes were too big, so their parents decided to leave them unwrapped under the Christmas tree.

Unwrapping

The act of removing wrapping paper from a present or item.

Example: The children immediately ran to the Christmas tree and started unwrapping their presents before we could get to the living room from the dining room after dinner.

Uphold

To maintain a position or decision.

Example: It was tough for dad to uphold mom’s decision for us to skip Christmas at home and travel on vacation to somewhere warm, but he did, and we had a fantastic time.

Upholding

To confirm or support a position or to maintain a stand about something.

Example: The reindeer court was upholding Santa Claus’s decision to grant all the elves a long vacation after his Christmas Eve run.

Uplifting

The act of inspiring or promoting happiness, optimism, or hope.

Example: The priest’s sermon during Midnight Mass was very uplifting, and I was glad I could make it this year with the rest of my family.

Uplift

To raise the level of something up or to lift something or someone to a higher position.

Example: The refreshing smell of pine from the Christmas tree was enough to uplift my spirits and get me excited for the family to come over for our holiday celebration.