It’s (almost) impossible to write a sentence without a noun. Minus a few exceptions, nouns abound in nearly every complete thought. They serve as the subject of our sentences, as well as the direct objects (or receivers of the actions of the verb).
But, before we discuss their all-important role in grammar, let’s enjoy a long list of nouns that start with Y. Who knows which one will pop up in your prose next?
50 Nouns Starting With Y
As you near the end of the alphabet, it can be difficult to come up with words that start with X, Y, or Z. But, we’ve got you covered with 50 Y-nouns, a definition for each, and a sampling of synonyms, too.
Noun | Definition | Synonym |
the vertical axis on a graph | ||
a large luxury sailboat | boat, cruiser, sailboat | |
the act of sailing on a yacht | boating, cruising, sailing | |
a person who owns or sails a yacht | sailor, captain, seaman | |
a part of a sentence that is incomprehensible or unimportant | gibberish, jabber, nonsense | |
a person who is coarse or unrefined in style | barbarian, brute, roughneck | |
a long-haired ox used for milk and meat | oxen, buffalo, cattle | |
a Japanese syndicate of organized criminals | mob, Mafia, gangsters | |
a moist, orange-colored variety of sweet potato | sweet potato, tuber, spud | |
in Chinese philosophy, an active, positive force in the universe | positivity, energy, masculinity | |
a person born or living in New England or in the United States in general | northerner, American, unionist | |
a measurement that equals three feet | three feet, meter | |
a measurement in yards | distance, length | |
a graduated stick or rod of one yard in length | ruler, measuring stick | |
a strand of thread used for sewing, knitting, or weaving | fabric, wool, thread | |
a perennial plant with a strong smell and taste | flower, plant, Achillea millefolium | |
the motion of a vessel going back and forth along its path | curve, swerve, turn | |
a period of time equal to 365 days | twelve months, age, cycle | |
a compilation of images and information that documents the past year | almanac, annual, class book | |
an animal one year of age | nursling, suckling, juvenile | |
a single-celled fungi that ferments sugars to form alcohol | catalyst, fermenting agent, leavening | |
a variety of fish with yellow fins | fish, tuna, croaker | |
a short, sharp cry or bark | bark, cry, yip | |
a strong want | craving, desire, hunger | |
an attendant, servant, or assistant in England | assistant, attendant, clerk | |
members of the yeomen class collectively | group, assistants, commoners | |
dried leaves and twigs of a plant native to South America used to make a caffeine-rich beverage | holly, leaves, plant | |
a seminary for the training of Orthodox rabbis | seminary, school, college | |
period of time in past years | past, yore, the old days | |
a large hairy creature resembling a human or bear, said to live in the Himalayas | abominable snowman, rakshasa | |
an evergreen shrub or tree with cred, cuplike, waxy cones | evergreen, tree, plant | |
in Chinese philosophy, the passive, negative force in the universe | negativity, passivity, femininity | |
a spool-like toy attached to one end of a string | toy | |
a system of exercise involving practiced postures and breathing | Pilates, stretching, exercise | |
a person who yells | screamer, bellower, crier | |
a person who practices yoga | yoga practitioner, guru, mentor | |
a semisolid food made from milk fermented with bacteria | kefir, curd, froyo | |
something that binds, unites, or connects | chain, coupling, link | |
the yellow part of an egg | center, yelk | |
the distant past or times long ago | yesteryear, past, history | |
a child | adolescent, babe, kid | |
a young person who has not reached adulthood | adolescent, juvenile, teen | |
the act or quality of being young | adolescence, childhood, youngness | |
the basic monetary unit of China | money, cash, denomination | |
a plant from the agave family with stiff, sword-shaped leaves, and white flowers | agave, plant, root | |
Christmas or the Christmas season | Christmas, holidays, wintertime | |
Christmastime | wintertime | |
the state of being tasty | tastiness, deliciousness | |
a young urban professional regarded as upscale and materialistic | white-collar worker, urban professional, young consumer | |
a circular tent | tent, canvas, tupik |
What Is a Noun?
A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea. When we use them in our writing, we often need to place an article before them, such as “a,” “an,” or “the.” For example, “a yucca” or “the yerba.”
One of the primary functions of nouns is to act as the subject of the sentence. So, in the sentence, “The yeast is growing,” “yeast” is a noun. Nouns are often direct objects, too. In the sentence, “He eats yellowfin,” “yellowfin” is the direct object. It’s the object of the verb, “eats.”
Types of Nouns
Nouns are categorized into several types.
- Proper nouns name specific things, like the names of people, cities, states, countries, buildings, and books. As proper nouns, they are capitalized. So, “Yolanda” is a proper noun, but “woman” is a common noun.
- Common nouns refer to general items, such as “university,” instead of “Yale.”
- Abstract nouns are used when you can’t touch the noun. These nouns are theoretical, such as “yearning” or “time.”
- Collective nouns refer to large groups, such as a “yoke” of oxen.
- Possessive nouns demonstrate ownership over something else. For example, with “Yusef’s puppy,” “Yusef’s” is a possessive noun, indicating that he owns the puppy.
To continue to explore these categories, check out Types of Nouns.
10 Example Sentences
Ready to see some of the Y-nouns above in action? From yachts to yuletide, here’s a closer look with sample sentences featuring nouns that start with Y:
- I’ve never seen a bright pink yacht before.
- We love to eat yams with our Christmas dinner.
- I was so upset to hear a yelp when I stepped on her paw.
- He has a yen for some cheesecake.
- Yerba mate is one of his favorite drinks.
- If you ever see a yeti, you should run!
- Yoga is a healing practice.
- Marriage is a yoke between their two souls.
- We should always maintain our youthfulness and sense of fun.
- Yuletide is coming; get out the twinkle lights!
More Y-Words for You
These nouns that start with Y are great terms to add to your vocabulary. They’re not the full scope of Y-words, though. If you want to explore even more, turn your attention to this list of words that start with Y on WordFinder by YourDictionary. Review the full list, or narrow it down to terms that meet specific search criteria using the on-screen search tool. You can specify the number of letters or request words that begin, end with or contain certain letters or letter combinations. From positive words that start with Y to verbs and more, you just might be surprised to learn how many Y-words there are.
A Yearlong List of Y-Nouns
Or how about a yearlong list of nouns in general? We’re nearing the end of the alphabet with this list of Y-nouns. Make sure you haven’t missed out on all the fun and start back at our list of Nouns That Start With A. As you continue to write throughout the year, you just might find yourself inserting some colorful, new nouns into your prose!