We get it. Finding the right words for games or writing can be tough. Especially when looking for five-letter words starting with O. It’s a specific challenge many face.
Don’t worry; we’ve got your back. We’ve compiled a list of 198 five-letter words beginning with O. This collection will help you level up your word game and expand your vocabulary.
In this blog, we’ll share both common and rare O words.
We’ll break down the list into easy-to-digest sections. So, let’s dive in and explore these useful O words together!
Common 5-Letter Words that Start with O and Their Meanings
1. Olive: A small, oval fruit used for oil or as food.
2. Onion: A bulb vegetable known for its strong flavor and aroma.
3. Oasis: A fertile area in a desert with water and vegetation.
4. Opera: A dramatic work combining text (libretto) and musical score.
5. Other: Referring to someone or something else.
6. Order: An arrangement or sequence of things or events.
7. Ocean: A large body of saltwater covering much of the Earth’s surface.
8. Often: Frequently or many times.
9. Older: Having lived for a longer time.
10. Orbit: The path of an object around a star, planet, or moon.
11. Ounce: A unit of weight equal to 1/16 of a pound.
12. Owner: A person who possesses something.
13. Outer: Located on or toward the outside.
14. Oxide: A compound of oxygen with another element.
15. Offer: To present something for acceptance or rejection.
16. Opium: A narcotic drug obtained from the poppy plant.
17. Organ: A part of an organism with a specific function.
18. Otter: A small aquatic mammal with a streamlined body.
19. Odium: General or widespread hatred or disgust.
20. Offal: The entrails and internal organs of an animal used as food.
21. Ogres: Mythical giants known for their cruelty.
22. Okays: To approve or agree to something.
23. Olden: Belonging to former times; ancient.
24. Omega: The last letter of the Greek alphabet, often symbolizing the end.
25. Omens: Signs or events believed to predict the future.
26. Omits: Leaves out or excludes.
27. Oozed: Slowly trickled or seeped out.
28. Opals: Precious gemstones known for their iridescent colors.
29. Orals: Spoken examinations.
30. Orion: A prominent constellation named after a mythological hunter.
31. Osier: A type of willow used in basketry.
32. Ought: Should or obligated to.
33. Ousts: Forces out or removes from a position.
34. Overt: Done openly, without concealment.
35. Owned: Possessed or had as property.
36. Odeum: A small theater or concert hall in ancient Greece or Rome.
37. Odyle: A hypothetical force or power proposed in the 19th century.
38. Offed: Slang for killed or eliminated.
39. Ofter: Comparative of “often,” meaning more frequently.
40. Ogham: An ancient Celtic alphabet used primarily for inscriptions.
41. Ohmic: Relating to or having electrical resistance.
42. Okapi: A forest-dwelling mammal related to the giraffe.
43. Oldie: Something old, especially a popular song or film from the past.
44. Oleic: Relating to or derived from oil or oleic acid.
45. Olein: A fatty substance found in animal fats and oils.
46. Oleos: Plural of “oleo,” referring to margarine or a similar product.
47. Oleum: A dense, corrosive liquid made from sulfuric acid.
48. Ology: Informal term for any branch of knowledge or science.
49. Omaha: The largest city in Nebraska, USA.
50. Omers: Units of measure used in ancient Israel.
51. Onery: An informal variant of “ornery,” meaning bad-tempered or stubborn.
52. Opahs: Large, colorful oceanic fish also known as moonfish.
53. Opens: Makes accessible or allows entry.
54. Orcas: Plural of “orca,” large, predatory marine mammals.
55. Ordos: A city in Inner Mongolia, China.
56. Oread: A mountain nymph in Greek mythology.
57. Oriel: A type of bay window projecting from the wall of a building.
58. Orles: Decorative borders or bands around a shield in heraldry.
59. Orlon: A synthetic fiber used in textiles.
60. Ormer: A type of edible sea snail found in Europe.
61. Ornis: A term referring to birds collectively.
62. Owlet: A young or baby owl.
63. Oddly: In a strange or unusual manner.
64. Ovoid: Egg-shaped or oval.
65. Onset: The beginning or start of something.
66. Opine: To express an opinion.
67. Optic: Relating to the eyes or vision.
68. Owing: Due to be paid or owed.
69. Octet: A group of eight people or things.
70. Ozone: A form of oxygen with three atoms in its molecule.
71. Obese: Extremely overweight.
72. Outdo: To surpass or exceed.
73. Ovary: The organ in female animals that produces eggs.
74. Ombre: A gradual blending of one color into another.
75. Ovals: Shapes that are elongated circles.
76. Odors: Smells, often unpleasant.
77. Obits: Short notices of a person’s death.
78. Ocher: An earthy pigment containing ferric oxide, typically with clay.
79. Octal: Relating to the base-8 number system.
80. Ogled: Stared at in a lecherous manner.
81. Oases: Plural of “oasis,” fertile areas in a desert.
82. Opted: Chose or selected.
83. Outgo: Expenditure or outgoing payments.
84. Oiled: Lubricated or covered with oil.
85. Obeys: Follows commands or instructions.
86. Oaken: Made of or resembling oak wood.
87. Ovule: A small egg or seed in plants.
88. Outre: Unconventional or unusual.
89. Odour: A British spelling of “odor,” meaning a smell.
90. Occur: To happen or take place.
91. Ochre: A natural earth pigment containing iron oxide.
92. Odder: Comparative of “odd,” meaning more unusual.
93. Orpin: A type of plant, also known as stonecrop.
94. Osage: A Native American tribe or a type of orange tree.
95. Osmic: Relating to or containing osmium.
96. Osmol: A unit of osmotic concentration.
97. Ossia: An alternative musical passage.
98. Ostia: Small openings or pores in anatomy.
99. Otary: Relating to seals or sea lions.
100. Ottar: A fragrant essential oil.
101. Oubli: A dungeon with only one exit, often a trapdoor in the ceiling.
102. Ouphe: A goblin or elf in folklore.
103. Ourie: Shivering or cold, often with a sense of forlornness.
104. Ousel: A type of bird, also known as a blackbird.
105. Ousia: The essence or substance of something.
106. Outby: Nearer to the edge or boundary.
107. Outed: Disclosed or revealed someone’s secret, often their sexual orientation.
108. Ouzel: Another name for a blackbird.
109. Ovali: A plural form of “ovale,” meaning egg-shaped.
110. Ovate: Shaped like an egg.
111. Overs: Cricket term for a set of six balls bowled.
112. Ovine: Relating to sheep.
113. Ovoli: Plural form of “ovolo,” a rounded convex molding.
114. Owsen: Plural of ox, used in dialects.
115. Oxbow: A U-shaped bend in a river.
116. Oxeye: A type of daisy-like flowering plant.
117. Oxime: A chemical compound with the general formula R1R2C=NOH.
118. Oxlip: A European wildflower in the primrose family.
119. Oxter: An old word for armpit.
120. Oyers: Plural of “oyer,” referring to a court hearing.
121. Oyeze: A variant of “oyez,” used to call attention in court.
122. Ozena: A chronic disease of the nose involving a foul-smelling discharge.
123. Objet: A decorative object or work of art.
124. Oboli: Plural of “obol,” an ancient Greek coin.
125. Obsed: Besieged or obsessed.
126. Ochry: Having a yellowish-brown or light brown color.
127. Ocker: Slang term for an uncultured Australian.
128. Ocrea: A sheath around a plant stem.
129. Octad: A group or set of eight.
130. Octan: A chemical derivative related to octane.
131. Octyl: A chemical group derived from octane.
132. Oculi: Plural of “oculus,” meaning eyes or circular openings in architecture.
133. Odeon: A small theater in ancient Greece or Rome.
134. Odist: A writer of odes.
135. Odyls: Hypothetical forces or powers proposed in the 19th century.
136. Ofays: Offensive slang term for white people, used in the African American community.
137. Ogams: An ancient alphabet used by the Irish and some Scots.
138. Ogees: S-shaped curves in molding or architecture.
139. Ogive: A pointed arch in Gothic architecture.
140. Ogler: Someone who stares in a lecherous manner.
141. Ogles: Stares in a lecherous manner.
142. Ohias: Hawaiian term for a type of native tree.
143. Ohing: The action of exclaiming “oh!” or expressing surprise.
144. Oicks: A British slang term for someone considered uncouth or lower class.
Rare 5-Letter Words that Start with O and Their Meanings
145. Obole: An ancient coin or a small unit of value.
146. Obeli: Marks (†) used in manuscripts to indicate doubtful or spurious passages.
147. Orach: A type of leafy plant used as a vegetable, similar to spinach.
148. Ombus: A large tree native to South America, known as the ombu.
149. Opson: Food, especially as a side dish to bread.
150. Oorie: A Scottish term meaning shivering or feeling cold.
151. Outta: Informal contraction of “out of.”
152. Oreos: A brand of chocolate sandwich cookies.
153. Oozes: Slowly exudes or flows out of something.
154. Orlop: The lowest deck of a ship, often used for storage.
155. Ollas: Large earthenware pots used for cooking or storage.
156. Oinks: The sounds that pigs make.
157. Ontic: Relating to real or factual existence.
158. Ontos: A philosophical term relating to being or existence.
159. Otaku: A Japanese term for people with obsessive interests, particularly in anime and manga.
160. Olpes: Ancient Greek containers or jugs, typically used for wine.
161. Odism: The worship or reverence of the Norse god Odin.
162. Orant: A figure in a posture of prayer, typically depicted with arms raised.
163. Oaves: Plural of “oaf,” meaning clumsy or unintelligent people.
164. Obang: A gold coin used in feudal Japan.
165. Obias: Spiritual beliefs or practices, especially in the Caribbean.
166. Obied: Past tense of “obey,” meaning followed commands.
167. Obiit: An old term for “he/she died,” often found in obituaries.
168. Obols: Ancient Greek coins, typically small and of low value.
169. Oches: Alternative spelling of “oches,” meaning to draw or pull back.
170. Oidia: A form of fungal spore.
171. Oiler: A person or device that oils machinery.
172. Okers: Plural of “oker,” a variant spelling of “ochre,” an earthy pigment.
173. Okras: Plural of “okra,” a green, pod-shaped vegetable.
174. Omasa: Plural of “omasum,” a part of the stomach in ruminants.
175. Omber: An old card game, also known as “ombre.”
176. Omina: Plural of “omen,” signs believed to foretell the future.
177. Oncia: An old Italian coin, equivalent to an ounce of gold.
178. Onium: A term used in chemistry for certain types of ions.
179. Onlay: A dental restoration that fits over the cusp of a tooth.
180. Oobit: Informal or dialectal term for “obituary.”
181. Oohed: Exclaimed “oh!” often in surprise or amazement.
182. Oomph: Energy, enthusiasm, or vigor.
183. Ooris: Plural of “oori,” meaning a type of fish trap.
184. Ooses: Plural of “ooze,” referring to soft, wet, and muddy ground.
185. Ootid: A cell produced by meiosis in the development of an ovum.
186. Oping: A dialectal form of “opening.”
187. Oppos: Informal abbreviation for “opposite” or “opposition.”
188. Opsin: A protein in the retina involved in the perception of light.
189. Oracy: The ability to express oneself fluently in speech.
190. Orang: A contraction of “orangutan,” a large ape native to Indonesia and Malaysia.
191. Orate: To speak in a formal or pompous manner.
192. Orbed: Rounded or spherical in shape.
193. Orcin: A chemical compound derived from lichens.
194. Orfes: Plural of “orfe,” a type of fish related to the carp.
195. Orgia: Secret religious rites in ancient Greece.
196. Orgic: Relating to orgies or excessive indulgence.
197. Orgue: A type of organ used in medieval fortifications.
198. Oribi: A small antelope native to Africa.
Summing It Up
Now you have a wealth of five-letter words starting with O at your fingertips.
This list opens up new possibilities for your word games and writing projects, from common terms to rare gems.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Try using these words in sentences or incorporate them into your daily conversations.
You’ll be surprised how quickly they become part of your active vocabulary.
Want to improve your word skills further? Why not challenge yourself to learn five new words each day? Or explore words starting with other letters?
We’d love to hear which words you found most interesting or useful. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
And if you know any O words we missed, let us know! Keep learning, keep growing, and enjoy your expanded vocabulary!
