Random Verb Generator

What the random verb generator does

Verbs are the words that show an action or a state – jump, whisper, build, belong. The random verb generator picks a batch of them at random from our list of everyday English words, and no verb appears twice in one batch.

The words are picked in your own browser, so you get a new set the instant you click.

How to use it

1. Choose how many verbs. Anything from 1 to 200 per batch.
2. Keep the word type on Verbs. The same menu switches to nouns, adjectives, easy words for kids, rare words or another language.
3. Add letter filters if you like. Set the letters a verb starts with or ends with, letters it must contain, or letters it must leave out.
4. Set a size. Measure words in letters or syllables and choose equals, less than or greater than – for example, verbs with just 1 syllable.
5. Turn on Show definitions to see a short meaning under each verb, where we have one.
6. Press Generate (or the Space bar). Tap a verb to copy it, or use its three-dot menu to save it or find rhymes. Reset clears every filter.

Ways to use random verbs

Charades and acting games

Verbs are made for acting out. Read one aloud and let someone mime it while the others guess – juggle, sneeze and tiptoe are crowd favorites. For ready-made acting cards with a timer and team scores, use the charades generator.

Grammar and tense practice

Give students five random verbs and ask them to write each one in the past, present and future. It's a quick way to spot irregular verbs, because a few will always refuse to just add -ed.

Stronger writing

Strong verbs do more work than adverbs. Generate a batch, pick three, and use them to rewrite a flat sentence like "she walked slowly" into something with energy. Need a plot to go with them? Grab one of our writing prompts.

Movement breaks

Call out a random action word and have everyone do it for ten seconds: stretch, hop, wobble, march. Kids love it, and it works as a brain break between lessons.

Daily drills for English learners

A random verb list makes a fast daily drill. Say the past form, use the verb in a question, then use it in a negative sentence. Five verbs a day adds up quickly.

Tips for better results

• Find verbs by ending. Many verbs end in -ate, -ify or -ize. Put one of those in Ends with for longer, more formal verbs.
• Keep it short for acting games. One- and two-syllable verbs are quicker to act out. Set "Syllables – Less than – 3".
• Build whole sentences. Pair a verb with a random noun and a random adjective, then make a sentence that uses all three.
• Make a list for later. Generate up to 200 verbs and use Copy all or download them as a text file.
• Share the filters. The address bar updates as you change settings, so you can send the same setup to a friend or a class.