450 Action Verbs List with Pictures and Example Sentences

Action Verbs List and Example Sentences! When writing, it is important to use language that packs a punch. This means using strong words that convey emotion and create an impact. One way to do this is by using action verbs.

450 Action Verbs List and Example Sentences

Action verbs are words that describe an action. They are often used in writing to make descriptions more vivid and interesting. When used correctly, they can make your writing come alive and help readers visualize what is happening.

Table of Contents

Action Verbs List

Most Common Action Verbs with Pictures

Drink (to take liquid into the mouth and swallow it) I usually drink coffee in the morning.
Knit (to make cloth, thread, yarn, or lace by combining long threads) I usually knit a sweater in the winter.
Kiss (when two people touch their lips together lightly) My boyfriend and I kiss each other before going to bed every night.
Snore (to make a sound when sleeping because the breath is blocked) My brother snores very loudly at night.
Dive (to jump into water with your head first) I like to dive from the high board at the swimming pool.
Wait (to stay in one place until something happens or someone arrives) I waited for an hour before my friend showed up.
Dream (to think or imagine something while you are sleeping) Last night, I had a strange dream about flying through the sky.
Fight (to argue or disagree in order to gain control over something) My parents often fight about who should do the housework.
Open (to cause something to no longer be closed) I opened the window to let some fresh air in.
Stack (to arrange things one on top of another) My mom likes to stack books on her nightstand.
Write (to make symbols on a surface, usually paper, with a pen or pencil) I write stories to express my creativity.
Bathe (to clean the body by washing it in water) I take a bath every night before going to bed.
Cry (to shed tears as an expression of emotion) When I’m sad, I like to cry and let out my emotions.
Read (to look at words and understand their meaning) I read a book every day to improve my vocabulary.
Hug (to hold someone closely in your arms as a sign of affection) My friends often hug me when we meet.
Buy (to get something by paying money for it) I bought a new dress at the mall yesterday.
Laugh (to make a sound with your voice to express amusement or joy) I laugh when I watch funny movies.
Sew (to join pieces of material together with thread) My mom taught me how to sew clothes when I was young.
Dance (to move the body in time to music) I love to go out and dance with my friends.
Clap (to hit your hands together to make noise in order to show appreciation) The audience clapped after the performance was over.
Dig (to remove earth or other material using a tool such as a shovel) My dad likes to dig in the garden to plant new plants.
Sit down (to move into a sitting position) I sat down on the couch and watched TV.
Shake (to move something quickly back and forth or up and down) My dog shakes when she is scared.
Wash (to clean something using water and soap) I washed my car yesterday so it looks brand new.
Cut (to make something shorter or smaller by removing part of it with a knife or scissors) I cut my hair short last week.
Win (to be successful in achieving a goal or beating an opponent) My team won the football game yesterday.
Bow (to bend forward at the waist as a sign of respect or greeting) The performers bowed to the audience after their performance.
Ski (to move over snow on skis) I went skiing with my family last weekend.
Fly (to move through the air using wings or a plane) I flew to New York for my vacation.
Cook (to prepare food by heating it) I like to cook dinner for my family every night.
Pass (to give something to someone else) My friend passed me a piece of chocolate.
Jump (to move suddenly into the air) I like to jump on the trampoline with my friends.
Look (to use your eyes to see something) I looked out the window and saw a rainbow.
Speak (to use words to express an idea or opinion) I like to speak my mind when I have something to say.
Run (to move quickly with your legs) I went for a run in the park this morning.
Listen (to pay attention to sound and try to understand it) I listened to the lecture carefully in class.
Ride (to sit on something and use it to travel somewhere) I ride my bike every day for exercise.
Sing (to make musical sounds with your voice) I sing in the shower every morning.
Smile (to show happiness by turning up the corners of your mouth) My friends always smile when they see me.