Urhobo Dictionary

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URHOBO - ENGLISH DICTIONARY

by

Anthony Obakpọnọvwẹ Ukere

B.A. (HONS) Linguistics (UNIBEN), ANIPR

Typed in by George Sider for Kay Williamson (†).

This version edited by Roger Blench (Cambridge 2005)


Introduction

The present Urhobo dictionary was locally published in Nigeria, printed by Ilupeju Press, Benin City. The
original is not dated, but the preface is dated 1986, so perhaps this is the date of publication. It was typed
into the computer, originally into Macintosh and later transferred to PC at the behest of Kay Williamson (†)
who has some role in encouraging it s original publication.

Changes in the manuscript

The following changes were made by Roger Blench for this circulation version;

1. English corrected
2. Fonts changed from IPA Kiel to Times New Roman
3. Text formatted as a table

The original has a grammatical introduction, and an appendix listing Urhobo proper names and towns. The
original also has an IPA-like transcription following the main Urhobo orthographic entry. This was not
typed and indeed, since the orthography is phonemic these values can be reconstructed.

Urhobo Phonology and Orthography

Urhobo phonology is summarised in Elugbe (1986) who also gives references to earlier studies. A striking
difference with between the two authors is that Ukere claims /l/ and /n/ are allophones and ‘l’ is thus absent
from the dictionary. Elugbe on the other hand, distinguishes a lenis l, /l/ from its non-lenis counterpart /l/.
Elugbe also notes the occasional presence of an eighth vowel, /Ë/ in two words, ɔvË$, ‘one’, and ɔsË$,
‘hawk’, transcribed by Ukere as ọvo and ọso.

The table shows the IPA values in Urhobo orthography

ch tS
dj ◊
ẹ ε
gh ƒ
mw ŋm
ọ ɔ
ph ∏
rh r8
sh S
vw B

Nasalisation is indicated by vowel with ‘n’ following. Thus –an = ã

Ukere treats Urhobo as having two tones, High and Low, as well as rising and falling tones. The dictionary
marks only high tone; all other tones are considered to be either low or glides. Elugbe (1986) discusses
different analyses of the tonal system, eventually concluding that Urhobo has two tones plus downstep. He
admits, however, that further analysis is required.

i
Parts of Speech

Urhobo words can be classified according to the function they have in the sentence. The following table
gives the abbreviations potentially used in the dictionary with short explanations;

Abbrev Full form Explanation


iation
a. Adjective Describes a noun
adv. Adverb Qualifies a verb
aux. Auxiliary Added to a verb to modify it, like a tense-marker
coll. Collective Used to describe a collection of discrete objects
conj. Conjunction A word used to join two or more nouns, verbs or clauses
dem. Demonstrative Words used to point out something. 'this', 'that' etc.
excl. Exclamation Greetings or expressions that do not form part of an ordinary sentence
exp. Expression Idiomatic expression
id. Ideophone Word that describes a sound, appearance or sensation, usually reduplicated
and functioning as an adverb or adjective
int. Interrogative Question words
n. Noun Refers to things, objects etc.
num. Numeral Number
obj. Object Form when a pronoun is the object of a sentence
part. Particle Short words added to complete the sentence
p.n. Proper Name A name of a person or object; always capitalised
prep. Preposition A word positioning nouns or verbs in time or space
pron. Pronoun A word that stands for a noun
v. Verb Describes action
v.i. Intransitive A verb with no object
Verb
v.n. Verbal Noun A noun formed directly from a verb to express a state of being
v.t. Transitive verb A verb with an object

References

Elugbe, B.O. 1989. Comparative Edoid: phonology and lexicon. (Delta Series No. 6.) University of Port
Harcourt Press.

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Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


Aa

án excl. exclamation of disbelief, shock or surprise, also used for questioning.


abaka n. grasshopper
abavo a. equal
abé n. guilt (in a case or law-suit)
abémuó n. wrestling
abérha adv. thrice
abẹrẹn n. sword
abívẹ adv. twice
áda1 n. forked stick
ada2 n. outing
adérha n. three-way junction
ádié n. position/part
adján n. bat
adjaóghẹné n. swallow
ádjeghwọghwọ n. camphor
adjené n. self acclaimed witch or wizard
ádjọkrótẹgba n. pants
adjudju n. fan
adjugẹ n. wheel
áfe n. menstruation
áfiéha n. stadium, playground
áfiédjọ n. masquerade playground
afiotọ n. rabbit
afọrhe n. brain
agada n. crotch, area between the legs
ágógó n. gong, bell
agọ n. camp, temporary settlement
aguare n. court
agbá (ogba) n. oil bean seed
agbada n. bridge
agbadarizobo n. altar
agbagba n. cross
agbakara n. raffia and oil-palm beetle
(ahwarihwa)
agbara (aga) n. chair
agbogu n. dagger
agboro n. echo
agbótọ n. chin
agbọn (iride) n. placenta
agbuna n. matches
agbrara n. thunder
aghán n. broom
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Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


aghighọn n. chain of coral beads worn round the neck by chiefs
aghọghọ n. joy/happiness
ághwá n. bush
aghwaghwa n. bush dog
aghware n. wisdom
aghwọn n. ‘hamster’ [N.B. there are no hamsters in Nigeria. Perhaps a bush-rat?]
aghwoghwo n. announcement
áhe n. owl-like bird
ahọnre n. sound of snoring
ahwa n. pliers
ahworhẹ n. sponge
aka1 n. Urhobo name for the Edo (Bini) people and their language
ákán2 n. bitter kola
akaba n. specie of gong
akaínọrọ n. snake monitor
akara n. bean-cake
akikó n. water-snail
akobẹ n. metal trap used for catching small animals such as rats
akoríruo n. office
akuakua n. wooden slit-gong
akpakpasímagha n. scorpion
akpan n. baldness, bald head
ákpánurhé n. stool
ákpátá n. mouth-organ, organ
akpéyéré n. way of life
akpérẹ n. elephant tusk horn
akpériọ n. enjoyment
akpérusiavwrẹ n. padlock
ákpẹvwẹ n. thanksgiving
akpóno n. very flat bead made from rubber or palm kernel shells
akpọ1 n. world
akpọ2 n. life
akrẹ n. small lizard
ama n. bell
ámakáshe n. angel
ame n. water
ameóbe n. ink
amereka (agbakara) n. locally brewed gin, ogogoro
(ekaikai)
amerísaguẹ n. groundnut oil
amiédi (oghwórédi) n. banga soup
amióviẹ n. tears
amóno int. who (coll.)
ámrádjẹ n. charm for protection against the dead
amwá n. cloth
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Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


anama n. pride
ané n. April
anikú (otéhú) n. lower wrapper (of the two) worn by women
áníní n. old coin, originally a tenth of a penny
apene n. draughts
ápiápiá n. hornbill
aphia n. knife
areba n. very poisonous seed
arere n. baby louse
áriákpa n. charm for protection against any poisonous thing taken in by mouth
arido n. charm for sharp remembrance/knowledge
árírí n. fishing net
aruérivwi n. designated spot where traditional rites are offered to the ancestors
aruẹdọ n. mercy
aruẹmrẹ n. prophesy
arhá n. March
arhare (ekorhi) n. forehead
arhọ n. salvation
árhóghọ n. contribution
árhọvwefe n. special bead worn on the neck like a bow-tie by traditional rulers
árhuẹrẹ n. development
asa1 n. place
asá2 n. bird with red beak that bores hole in the pit
asán3 n. June
asadáveravwe n. abattoir
asé1 n. acquittal
asén2 a. odd
aseje n. everywhere
ásiweri n. mamba
aso n. night
atámu n. charm for effective balance
atánẹ exp. it is said
átárhọvwe n. charm for easy acceptance/answer
atẹtẹ (akpata) n. tray, flat basin (made locally from a plant called éti)
atikprere n. rumour monger
ató1 n. chewing stick
aton2 n. savanna
avá n. February
áviávwe (aviẹn) n. armpit
avwáre1 pron. we
avwárẹn2 pron. us
avware3 n. wide area with collection of ponds
ávwárhé n. charm for lightness
ávwebọ n. favourite (e.g. wife)
avwerhe n. sweetness
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Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


avwiana n. flag
ávwíkpe n. charm for postponing evil days such as death
ávwiórọvwe n. wife always treated with disdain by the husband
ávworo n. rainbow
avwré (ẹrọ) n. gill
avwro n. argument
awa n. hour
aware n. ancient
áwúsá n. Urhobo name for the Hausa people and their language
ayarọ n. basket used by women in fishing
ayávwa exp meet you well (i.e. at table)
aye1 n. woman
ayen2 pron. they
áyen3 pron. them
ayerórọvwe n. Mrs.
ayerúwevwi n. housewife
ayevevu n. pregnant woman
ayọni n. pressing iron
azagba (asotu) n. public place
aziza n. spirit roaming in the forest which gives rise to whirlwind

Bb

bá v.t be loose (of a baby carried on the back)


bẹdẹ adv. never
bẹdẹbẹdẹ (rhirírín) adv. forever, continuously (of time)
bẹnẹ v.t romance
bẹré v.t tear
bẹsiẹye conj. until
bi (gere) v.t push
bibi v.i grope, roam aimlessly
biebí a. black
biko v.i please
bioma v.i make way for
bo1 v.i crow
bo2 v.i swim (of fish)
bọ (tẹ) v.t build
bọrọ v.t comfort
bọrọbọrọ a. warm
(vwiọrọvwiọrọ)
bu v.i be plentiful
búbú a. awkward, clumsy
bue v.t scrape
buebu quant. many
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Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


búnọ quant. too many/much
brabra a. bad
bró1 int. how many?
bró2 int. how much?
bru v.t. cut
brúdú v.i worry (about/over something)
brúche v.t advise

CH ch

chá v.t support/aid


chavwọ v.t screw
chere v.t cook
chiyi v.t tread (on something)
cho v.t steal
chúko v.t help

Dd

da v.t. drink
dádá a. sharp
dede v.t. welcome
dédévwo conj. nevertheless
dẹ v.t. buy
dédé a. careful
di v.t block
dia v.i menstruate
dié int. what
diguẹ v.t request one to say
dino adv. nearly
do1 v.t thank, general greeting which expresses variety of sentiments
dó2 (vwi) v.t throw
doghodogho a. slack
dọdọn a. lean/thin
du v.t mate
duvwu v.t pound

Dj dj

djádjá a. peppery
djávwe (sínu) v.t hide
djé1 v.t show/explain
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Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


2
dje v.t spray (somebody with medicine by mouth)
djẹ1 v.i run
djé2 v.t drive away (animate objects)
djẹ3 v.i germinate
djídjí1 (ghẹghẹ) a. foolish
djídjí2 adv. foolishly
djoma v.i introduce (oneself to)
dju v.t fan

Ee

e part. yes, response to most greetings and directives


ebén n. sharp grass
ébo1 n. woven native bag made of raffia palm
ebó2 n. act of crowing
ebó n. thatch/roof
ébri (okuku) (eghó) n. darkness
ebró v.n. act of cutting
echa n. bad omen
echéro n. forgetfulness
echó n. stealing
edede n. reception/welcome
ediri n. patience
edo n. noise
edovi n. door frame
edjákekete n. spider sp.
edje1 n. peer
édjé2 n. explanation/description
edjere n. crocodile
edjenékpo n. leopard, ‘tiger’
(adjanákpu)
efe n. wealth
efenudu n. wrapper
eferifẹn n. bird sp.
éfi1 n. fenced hidden place where masquerades and the like are dressed
efi2 n. rope used by palm collector in climbing the palm tree
egaga n. hob
eganase n. glass for drinking wine
égede n. bowel
égenége (égedége) n. storey building
egéré (ebió) v.n. act of pushing
égéré (ẹkpá) n. vomit
égodi (ógodi) n. kite
égodo (iyere) n. compound
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Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


egú n. pounded yam
égba (ọhwa) n. jaw
egbedé1 (ukoti) n. needle
egbedé2 n. injection
egbedi n. barrel once used for storing commercial oil for export
egbémuó n. preparation
égbésásá n. charm for glorious dance
égbó1 n. forest jungle
egbo2 n. ram
egbrí n. Bahama grass
egbru n. wrapper worn by men
eghanran (okún) n. west
éghene n. young man
éghre n. enmity
éghróbọ n. elbow
éghrówọ n. ankle
éghrúgbo n. knee
éghwo (ághwo) n. funnel
eghwóro n. massage
eghwọghwọ n. clothes’ moth
éghwughwẹ n. chameleon
eghwré n. July
eghwro (ọguotọ) n. hoe
éha1 (igbe) n. dance
éha2 n. game, play
éhapho n. white sand
charha (achicha) n. umbrella
eho n. fine
éhóhó n. hidden place
éhún n. waist
ehuhu n. bat
ehware n. (coitus) sexual intercourse
éhwé n. punishment, beating
ehwẹ n. laughter
ehwéjé (ódẹn) n. joke, jest
éhwọrhọ n. swamp
éjíro n. praise
ejóbi (eje) quant. all/every
ékán (éhárhó) n. abuse
ekéré v.n. act of counting
eki n. market
ékian n. raffia palm
ékídia (étídia) n. sitting
(échídia)
ekó n. sewing
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Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


ekogho n. area
ekó n. ayo, warri, game with 12 holes played with 4 counters each in a hole
ekuakua n. property
ékúgbé n. togetherness
ekpahe n. cold
ekpahọ uje gbẹ n.p. fifty Naira (N50)
iyorin
ékpéhruyovwi n. skull
ékpéré (unuébo) n. shout/exclamation
ékpeti n. box
ékpé (orhu) n. sand
ékpo (ékpu) n. bag/pocket
ékpóghówo n. thigh
ekpono n. act of dragging
ekrirhékrẹbe n. insect that builds a shelter of small pieces of wood round itself
ékru1 n. family
ekru2 n. bundle
ema n. dance done mainly by elderly people with the upper part of the body
exposed
emare n. ground yam or plantain used for sacrifice
emé1 v.n. act of plaiting (hair)
emé2 n. twine
éméghene n. youth
ememerha adv. gently
éméravwe1 n. moon
éméravwe2 n. month
émérha quant. little
emu (emare) n. food
émúdia n. standing
émúdiágá n. solidarity
emuó1 v.n. act of carrying
emuó2 v.n. act of arresting
emuore n. foodstuff
enákpukpu n. motor-cycle
(imotosakoro)
enanadja n. pineapple
eni1 n. elephant
ení2 n. head-pad
eniáme (érhén) n. hippopotamus
énivwọvo n. charm for the exclusive attention of one's husband or lover
enó1 n. act of quitting
énó2 n. brightness
énu (obénu) prep. up/top
enuebro n. act of grumbling
énuerá n. ascension
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Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


enya n. spittle
epini n. half kobo (½k) [No longer in use]
epha n. oracle, divination
ephẹn n. urine
ephẹphẹ (ephẹren) n. ringworm
éphérẹ1 n. language
éphérẹ2 n. Urhobo name for the Ijọ people and their language
erákive (arẹn) n. native blade
(akive)
eráko n. dog
erán n. crushed palm kernel fibre for making fire
eravwe n. animal, meat
eré n. kind of mat
erere n. gain
eri n. fish
ériáriẹ n. knowledge
eriávọ n. over-feeding
erivwi n. land of the dead
ero n. backbiting
érurẹ n. dove
érha num. three
erhare1 n. fire
erhare2 n. hell
érhe1 n. kind of spice
érhe2 n. yawn
erherin n. ceiling
erhi1 n. soul/spirit
erhi2 n. butterfly
érhia (úgbéje) n. tale-bearing
erhié n. alligator pepper
erhirhi n. ant
(ómóraravwe)
erhívwi n. millipede
erhu1 n. hat
erhún2 n. barn
erhué1 n. cow
érhué2 v.n. act of bending
erhuru n. port
erhurhu n. refuse dump
érhuvwu n. beauty
ésan num. six
esábọ n. bail
ésákpa n. ant sp.
esákpógodi n. great-great-grandchild
esé n. reading, calling
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Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


esegbúyóta n. belief, faith
esi n. pig
esiáye n. sow
esió n. writing
esiónó n. reduction
esirághwá n. bush pig
esiri n. base
esiso1 n. sack
esiso2 n. two hundred Naira (N200)
esivwo1 n. treatment
esivwo2 n. act of struggling for, contesting
esívwórhọ n. redemption
esha n. grey hair
éshé1 n. act of falling
eshé2 n. failure
eshẹ n. rashes, crawcraw
eshu n. devil
ete n. ward
éti n. plant used locally for making trays and other things
etinẹ adv. here
etíyi adv. there
éto n. watermelon
etu n. heap
evé n. bargain
evie n. breast
evo a. some
evun1 (úgáva) n. stomach, belly
evun2 n. pregnancy
evun3 prep. in (side)
évun4 n. shop/store
evuétué n. diarrhoea/dysentery
evuékpárọ n. abortion
evúghe n. recognition
evuó n. act of reaping, harvesting
évurígho (ibanki) n. bank
evúvwó n. roasting
evré n. rising
evrénúshi n. resurrection
évwérhẹ n. dream
évwiẹ n. birth
evwóghóvwo n. forgiveness
evwómuẹ n. coronation
evwu n. bat-like animal
evwré n. somersault
evwri (ófígbo) n. palm oil, mineral oil
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Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


evwrú n. dew
éwán n. bush clearing
ewavwe n. palm branch with leaves on
ewé (eghwé) v.n. act of passing a thread through the eye of a needle, etc.
ewéne n. change, transfer
ewéri n. monkey
éwewu excl. expresses happiness
éwun n. shirt
éwunráwọ n. trousers
eyá n. bet
éyareya n. guinea grass
ezekẹ n. dedication

Ẹẹ

ẹba1 n. fish sp.


ẹban2 n. nakedness
ẹbamwá n. rag
ẹbe n. leaf
ẹbẹgbunu n. lip
ẹbẹnẹ n. romance, love-play
ébére1 n. side
ẹbẹre2 n. piece
ébérochékọ n. opposite
ẹbiriẹ n. lemon-grass
ẹbo n. medicine, charm
ẹbó n. construction
échẹ n. door
ẹdá n. act of drinking
ẹdebi n. day before traditional market day
ẹdẹ1 n. day
ẹdé2 n. act of buying
ẹdẹjerọ n. day after tomorrow
ẹdéwọ n. market day; a day for abstaining from going to the bush for farming
ẹdia n. residence, place
ẹdidjana n. week
ẹdidjanarode n. Sunday
ẹdidjanarotete n. Saturday
ẹdiruo n. traditional working day
ẹdiruorérhá n. Wednesday
ẹdiruoréné n. Thursday
ẹdiruorésósuó n. Monday
ẹdiruorívé n. Tuesday
ẹdiruoríyórín n. Friday
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Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


ẹdọ n. leanness
ẹdúhrẹ n. traditional day of abstaining from work and some other activities
ẹdjávwọ (esióne) n. act of hiding
édjó1 n. court case
ẹdjọ2 n. masquerade
ẹdjọ3 n. shrine
ẹfá1 n. translation
ẹfa2 p.n. feast held by traditional worshippers
ẹfẹn n. region of the ribs
ẹfré n. juggling
ẹga1 n. barren
ẹga2 n. service
ẹguá1 n. act of driving
ẹgua2 n. defilement
ẹguare n. conference/meeting/gathering
éguónọ n. love
égbá n. strength/effort
ẹgbánọ v.n. act of embracing
égborhá n. coven
égbórho n. many towns grouped together
ẹgha1 n. abomination
ẹgha2 n. resultant effect of committing a forbidden act
ẹghárọ v.n. act of dividing
ẹghóriẹ n. majestic walk
ẹghwárọ n. castration
éghweya n. totality of married women in a given place
ẹghwére n. mat
éghwiẹ1 n. slap
ẹghwiẹ2 n. burn
ẹghwóriẹ n. slipperiness
ẹhẹn excl. expresses agreement
ẹhẹrẹ n. expansion
ẹhẹrhẹ v.n. act of waiting
éhérhóbọ n. palm
éhérhówọ n. sole
ẹho n. nest
éhó n. bath
ẹhónímwémwun n. baptism
ẹhwé n. October
ẹjo a. no
ẹkaruvwiyọ n. remembrance
ékegba n. rust
ékẹ n. share/portion
ékẹkẹtẹ n. camel
ékévuọvo conj. however
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Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


ẹkiọ n. sourness
ẹko n. group
ẹkọ v.n. act of planting
ẹkuá v.n. act of packing
ẹkuedi (okedi) n. place where palm nut collectors process the nuts
ékuótọ n. country
ẹkpa1 n. fool
ẹkpa2 a. unripe
ẹkpárọ1 v.n. act of lifting
ẹkpárọ2 n. postponement
ẹkpávwiyo n. answer/reply
ékpévwé n. gratitude, thanks
ẹkpo1 n. charm for protection against machete attack
ékpo2 n. swelling
élọhọ n. charm for easy life
ẹmá1 n. act of measuring
ẹmá2 n. moulding
ẹmiẹmiẹ n. sweetness
ẹmó n. production (of fruits)
ẹmré n. act of seeing, visitation
ẹmrévúghe n. realisation
éne num. four
ẹnérhẹ n. pacification (e.g. from crying)
ẹbi` v.n. act of grinding
ẹrán n. creeping
ẹréré num. eight
ẹreyọ n. admission, acceptance
ẹré n. levelling
ẹrẹvwe n. tongue
ẹrió v.n. act of eating
ẹro n. eye
ẹró v.n. act of swallowing
ẹruérhié n. civilisation
ẹruévwióvwíyọ n. hope
ẹruévwóte n. supervision
ẹruémré n. prophecy
ẹruó n. entry
ẹrhá1 n. flying
ẹrha2 (akason) n. leopard
ẹrhẹrhẹ n. swimming
érhóbọ n. wrist
ẹrhóghra n. dislocation (of a bone in the body)
ẹrhorho n. leech
ẹhrovwo n. prayer
ẹsá v.n. act of shooting
13
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


ẹsánọ n. selection
ése n. gift
éseróka n. souvenir
ẹsiéfa adv. later
ẹsió n. refusal
ẹshé n. sale
ẹshórọ (ekpono) v.n. act of crawling
ẹtá v.n. act of recovering what is used as collateral security
ẹtẹrhe n. pool of water
ẹto n. hair
ẹtoégba n. beard
ẹtórhẹ v.n. act of burning
ẹtórọ v.n. act of picking
ẹtuohoro n. female pubic hair
ẹtuoshọ n. male pubic hair
ẹtuóvwíyọ n. beginning starting
ẹva1 (ọrhón) n. alligator
ẹvá2 n. butchery
ẹvé1 v.n. act of bending
ẹvẹ2 v.n. act of belching
ẹvwáriẹ n. repetition
ẹvwárọ v.n. act of wrapping
ẹvwé n. goat
ẹvwe2 n. kola nut
ẹvwé n. eczema
évwẹrẹ n. pot (native)
ẹvwiáye n. she (nanny) goat
ẹvwóriẹ1 n. fading
évwóriẹ2 n. baby vomit
ẹvwó n. act of swelling
éwa1 n. collateral security
ẹwá2 n. pass
éwén n. mind, breath
ẹyá n. act of drying
ẹyarọ1 n. bitterness
ẹyarọ2 n. act of begging
ẹyeórin n. May
ẹyéghré n. struggling for balance, staggering

14
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


Ff

fá1 v.t translate


fa2 v.i confess
fá3 v.t cane/whip
fán4 v.t transport
fe v.i be rich
fefe a. empty
fẹnẹ v.i differ, differentiate
fi v.t leak
fiá v.t split
fiunu v.i hiss
fobọrhe exp. you may return soon (farewell)
fon a. clean
fori a. necessary
fọ (fotoyi) v.t silence
fọrhọ1 v.t wash (clothes)
fọrhọ2 v.t extract liquid from leaves through squeezing
fu v.t quench
fuefú a. quiet
fré v.t juggle
fru v.t snatch

Gg

ga1 v.t serve


ga2 v.t hold baby in squatting position to ease its defecation and urination
gagán (gan) adv. firmly, well
gegerege id. very high
géngén id. very thin
gidigidi1 id. eager, impatient
gidigidi2 id. describes state of flame or heat
gidigba id. stout, massive
gogorogo id. very tall/high
gọ v.t worship
gu v.i judge
gua (djẹ) v.t drive
gué (guegue) v.t frighten
gugunu a. bent
guọ v.t dissolve
guọghọ v.t destroy
guoguo a. weak, sluggish
guọnọ1 v.t find, look for
guọnọ2 v.i, v.t want, love
15
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


grogró a. long/tall

GB gb

gbá v.t tie


gbane v.t embrace
gbe1 v.i dance
gbe2 v.i narrate
gbegbé a. dirty
gberi v.t underline, rule
gberuo exp. please continue with your meal (sing.)
gbẹ v.t cut grass
gbọn v.i smell
gbogbó a. rotten
gbọgbọrọgbọn id. very long, tall or huge
gbrogho v.t shake something like a tin of oil
gbrugho v.t shock

GH gh

gha v.i forbid


ghagháre a. costly, dear, expensive
ghare v.t divide
gheregbe a. expansive
ghevweghe a. ordinary
gho v.t hoot at
ghoro v.t hawk
ghọ v.t entertain
ghọriẹ v.i walk majestically
ghrẹghrẹ v.t call someone's name poetically to make it more appealing
ghroghro a. transparent

GHW ghw

ghwa v.t carry, take along


ghwaghwó a. old
ghware v.t castrate
ghwẹ v.t pack (things)
ghwiẹ v.t slap
ghwo excl. exclamation of disappointment/surprise
ghwoghwo v.t announce
ghworiẹ a. slippery
16
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


1
ghworo v.t massage
ghworo2 v.t rub
ghwọ v.i be angry
ghwọrọ v.t waste
ghwu v.i die

Hh

ha v.i play (e.g. have fun)


harhe v.t abuse
héhé excl. expresses surprise
hẹhẹre a. wide
hẹrhẹ v.t wait
ho v.t fine
họ1 v.t bathe
họ2 excl. expresses surprise
họhọ a. similar
huhu v.t close/shut
hra v.t disorganise/scatter
hrahrahra id. very dry

HW hw

hwa1 v.t pay


hwá2 v.t tighten
hwahwa a. narrow
hwe1 v.t kill, break (of glass, bottles, etc)
hwé2 v.t punish
hweké excl. expresses surprise resulting from fear
hwerhe v.t sweep
hwẹ v.i laugh
hworhẹ v.t wash
hwrẹhwrẹhwrẹ id. very clean

Ii

í excl. expresses sad feelings


ibába n. one's father
ibábode n. grandfather
ibefí n. hunting
ibẹtẹni n. maternity home
ibiabọ n. charm for effective wrestling
17
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


íbietá n. alphabet
ibósu (abósu) n. red poplin
ibọkpọ n. mosquito net
ibunúku n. skirt
íbrébru (eka) (ila) n. tribal marks
íbrehe n. mud
ibrẹro n. second (of time)
ichíbẹ n. five kobo (5k)
ichiyi n. footprint
idónọ n. word used in reference to money mostly in the olden days
idọrọ n. cupboard
ídu n. cocoyam
idjagodo n. kerosene tin
idjáhróhró n. mumps
idjé n. game played by young girls in which they clap hands and jump
ídjédje n. example
idjérhe n. road
idjíghere n. bicycle
idjo (ighóró) n. horn
idjogbá n. raffle/gambling
ifada n. Roman Catholic Father
ifiaro n. scorn
ífikiré conj. because (of)
ifio (oghwa) n. money or material given to a person in appreciation of a good
performance (e.g. during dancing)
ifo n. work or something done in return for the same gesture
ifotó n. picture
ifó n. waterleaf
igábọ (ákoko) n. shoulder
igarí n. garri
igé n. Indian hemp
igede n. drum
igedú n. timber
ígógérha n. triangle
ígógéne n. square
ígógó n. angle
igogono (ikoroba) n. bucket
igóvinẹ n. governor
íguégu n. gossip
igbe n. Urhobo traditional religion
igberadja n. prostitute
(ónóshóhọ)
ígbẹro n. eyebrow
igbéyi (igbéhẹn) n. wall
(omaruwevwi)
18
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


igbo n. Urhobo name for the Igbo people and their language
igbunegbú n. armed robber
igbunu n. mystery
ígho1 n. money
ígho2 n. milk teeth (of babies)
íghorofán n. transport fare
íghwré num. seven
íhwe num. ten
íhwegbẹ ésan num. sixteen
íhwe gbẹ érere num. eighteen
íhwegbẹ íghwré num. seventeen
íhwegbẹ írhirin num. nineteen
íhwérhá num. thirteen
(íhwegbẹérha)
íhwéné (íhwegbẹéne) num. fourteen
íhwiórí num. fifteen
(íhwegbẹíyorin)
íhwívé (íhwegbẹívẹ) num. twelve
íjí n. covenant
ikadoro n. candle
ikebe n. buttocks
ikenekene n. hide-and-seek
íkeníke n. stilt dance
ikoko n. cocoa
ikonosha n. mattress
íkoro1 (idadeghe) n. cloud
íkoro2 n. bangle made of elephant tusks
ikọkọ n. stammer
íku1 n. crayfish
íkun2 n. story
ikurú n. drum
ikpachá n. towel
íkpákpáne n. (soya) beans
ikpámáku n. zinc
ikpekpa n. shelf
ikpógri n. melon
ikpukpuyẹkẹ n. duck
ikrasi n. kerosene
íma num. trillion (1,000,000,000,000)
imágoro n. mango
imamiwọta n. mermaid
imashini n. machine
iméjẹ (eméjé) n. table
(ikpekparọre)

19
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


iméjẹróghwrọrọ n. desk
(eméjẹrọghwrọrọ)
imidaka (eraka) n. cassava
iminiti n. minute (of time)
ímíphopho n. termite
ímu n. excommunication
ímuẹró n. assurance
ináma (imelu) n. cattle
inehweri n. charm for love
inékuku n. pigeon
inémẹ (igbefia) n. file
inéne n. one's mother
inénode n. grandmother
inónẹ n. today
ínú n. dirt
ipóto n. pot (imported)
ipọtó n. button
íre (esha) n. beans (white)
iredio (agboro) n. radio
iróba n. rubber tree, rubber
iroro n. thought
irósu n. rice
íruéru n. activity
íruo n. job
íruobọ n. handiwork
íruorugbóbọ n. manual work
irháro n. presence
irhíbo (isíbo) n. pepper
írhirin num. nine
írhóbo n. Urhobo name for the Itsekiri people and their language
irhue n. liver
irhuó n. mode of dressing
isabato n. shoe
isáma n. sardine
isara n. saw, carpenter's implement
iséné n. camwood
isẹ1 n. amen
isé2 n. proverb
isí n. East, also used in addressing a group of people
isigáti n. cigarette
ísio n. star
isiórho n. foreign land
isírógbo n. special bed designed for a bride on circumcision
isódje (isoja) n. soldier
ísọ n. excreta, stool, faeces
20
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


ísuésu n. administration
isuéta n. cardigan
ísha n. beans (brown)
ísháshá n. black pepper
ishéne (ushéne) n. ten kobo (10k)
ishéne íhwe n. one Naira (N1)
ishéne íyorin n. fifty kobo (50k)
ishuáwúsá n. bedbugs
ítába n. tobacco
itáson n. pot (imported)
itetebe n. water lettuce
ité n. parable-like statement
telẹvishọn n. television
(ekpetiughe)
itiani n. blanket
itiró n. black eyeliner substance used by women as cosmetic on the eyes
itomátosi n. tomato
itonotono (itatono) n. turkey
itọshi n. torch
itú n. mushroom
itutu n. fungus
ívévé n. promise
ívẹ num. two
iviẹwa n. guarantor
ivuémióvwó n. annoyance
ívwirhi n. smoke
ivwo n. bud
ívwori n. stream
ivworhíya n. tapioca
ivwughẹ n. foam
ivwri1 n. fat
ivwri2 n. ants that build their nest beneath the leaves
ivwríte n. scrotum
íwurhie n. ash
íyáko n. gum (teeth)
íyáwọ n. soldier ant
íye1 n. sacrifice
iye2 excl. word for appreciating an ideal situation
iyési n. horse
iyẹnrẹn n. news
iyésiri n. gospel
iyori1 n. curse
iyori2 n. oath
íyorin3 num. five
izẹn n. strawberry
21
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


izẹbu a. counterfeit (of money)
izóbo n. offering

Jj

jẹ1 v.t choose


jé2 v.t let
jẹ3 v.t speak
jé4 conj. yet
ji v.t send
jiro v.t praise
jokpa nẹ conj. unless
joma adv. almost
jomaótọ1 a. be careful
jomaótọ2 adv. carefully
jovwo v.i leave off

Kk

kada exp. response of kings and chiefs to the greetings and praise-singing of their
subjects
kákán (phiéphié) adv. at all
kare1 v.t lock
kare2 v.t scratch
karovwiyọ v.i remember
kasakasa n. anywhere
kere v.t count
kerhọ v.i listen
ke v.t give
kẹdẹkẹdẹ adv. everyday, daily
kédófa exp. till another day/goodbye
kẹkẹrẹkẹ adv. precise or required amount
kẹré prep. near, next, by
késiéfa exp. till another time/goodbye
kẹsiéye (távwe) conj. before
kidia (tidia) (chidia) v.t sit
kídié int. what else
kíré conj. as/like
ko v.t sew
kódẹ (tódẹ) exp. till tomorrow/goodnight
kokakoka id. all kinds, any kind
koko adv. together
kokódo1 a. deep
22
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


2
kokódo adv. deeply
kókórókó adv. firmly, tight
kohwokohwo pron. anybody
kóravwọkóravwọ pron. anything
korhokorho n. every town
kotakota n. every word
kọ v.t plant
kọkekọke adv. always, anytime
kọre v.t pluck
ku v.t pour
kua v.t pack (property)
kueki v.i depreciate in value
kuere (muogba) v.t fence
kugbé conj. and
kuomagbe v.t unite
krénkrén adv. piecemeal
kri v.i keep long
kru v.t assemble (of things)

KP kp

kpa (geri) v.t vomit


kpahe (kpa) prep. about/on
kpare1 v.t lift
kpare2 v.t postpone
kpatakpata adv. quickly
kpavwiyọ v.t answer/reply
kpé v.t knit
kpénu a. high
kperi (bunu) v.i shout
kpẹn v.t peel
kpẹkpẹrẹkpẹ adv. till dawn (staying awake)
kpẹkpẹvwiẹ a. shallow
kpẹvwẹ v.t be grateful to
kpirhi v.t fold
kpogho v.t shake
kpokpo (naghe) v.t worry/trouble
kpókpọ a. fresh/new
kpono1 v.t drag
kpono2 (shọrọ) v.i crawl
kpótọ a. low
kpó1 v.t deflect
kpọ2 v.i dry
kpọnọkpọnọ a. lumpy
23
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


kpọrhọ v.t make wet
kprégédé adv. suddenly, unexpectedly

Mm

má1 v.t measure


ma2 v.t mould
mamọ adv. well
manọ v.i writhe
marho adv. especially, particularly
mavó int. how
me v.t plait
meru v.i pretend, feign
mé poss.a. mine/my
mí1 (mé) pron. I
mi2 v.t squeeze
mie v.t take
miẹmiẹ a. sweet
míguẹ exp. I am on my knees (greeting from a junior person to a senior or more
elderly one)
miomiovwi a. ugly
miovwi v.t spoil
misiẹguare exp. I greet the gathering (before and after making a speech)
momo v.t borrow
mọ v.i produce
mu1 v.t carry
mu2 v.t arrest
mu3 v.t be afflicted (e.g. by sickness or disease)
mudia v.t stand
muegbe v.i prepare, get ready
muodẹ v.t give name
mrẹ v.t see
mrẹvughe v.i realise
mrobọ (mruvwẹ) v.i find time, get a chance to
mwa v.t press (of fruit)

24
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


Nn (LI)

na art. the
nabe adv. properly
nana dem. this/these
nánánáná adv. now, just now
ne v.t excrete, pass out faeces
nené v.t follow
nẹ prep. from
nẹrhẹ v.t pacify
ni v.t look
no v.i shine
nọ1 v.t ask
nó2 v.t grind, sharpen
nónó1 v.t drip, pour a drop at a time
nọnọ2 a. soft
nọnọnọ a. greasy, oily
nuvie v.t open (locked object only)

NY ny

nyavwe v.t to use cutlass on


nyẹ v.t press
nyo v.i hear

Oo

óba n. end
obáro (aro) n. front, forward
obere n. basket
obiebi a. black (used in some contexts as biebi)
obo pron. what
obóhwẹre (obágobọ) n. left hand
obónẹ dem. this side, here
obótọ (ótọ) prep. under
obóyi dem. that side, there
obọ1 n. hand
obọ2 adv. recently
obọde a. intact
obórhe n. right hand
obọúnu exp. I am at table
obọvo (ẹsiẹvo) adv. once
obúko n. back, behind
25
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


obruche n. adviser
ochá n. wedge
oché (ẹtéyọ) n. blow
ocheremu n. cook
ochẹ n. water pot
óchíbẹ n. eunuch
oda (ágáda) (ọpia) n. cutlass/machete
odemuo n. naming, name-giving
odẹ1 n. name
ódẹ2 adv. tomorrow
ódẹrówarena adv. yesterday
(ódẹrókporina)
ódi1 n. deaf-mute
odi2 n. grass
odín3 a. even
odibo1 n. servant
ódíbó2 n. banana
odiodi n. nought, zero, nothing
odo1 n. fever
ódó2 n. big mortar
ódódó n. flower
odóvá n. nickname
odú num. one hundred thousand (100,000)
odúduíma num. billion (1000,000,000)
odúdúrú num. million (1,000,000)
oduvwiro n. goldsmith
odja1 n. soap
ódjan2 n. hookworm
ódjádja n. pain
odjávwọ n. secret
odjephia n. exhibition, introduction (e.g. as part of a book)
odjidjiro a. cold (in some contexts as = djidjiro)
odjigbẹ1 n. yellow bush-yam
odjigbẹ2 n. long slender cutlass used for grass cutting
odjiko n. mat made of raffia palm
odju (avwẹrẹ) n. wind/air
(aphopho)
odjúvwú n. heaven
ofán n. transport
ófe1 n. yam-beetle
ófe2 n. tuberculosis
ofénẹ n. difference
ofi n. smallpox
ofiá n. lie
ofovwi n. war
26
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


ógága n. power
ogebene n. dish
ógẹ n. pimple
ogiribo n. stormy rain
ogodẹ n. sheep
ogoro n. frog
ogue n. ‘robin’ [no robins in Nigeria]
oguefia (ovwọrefia) n. liar
ógba1 n. fence
ogbá2 n. iron
ógbe n. quarter
ogbere n. poverty
ogbeyin (arirhiri) n. tortoise
ógbẹnẹ n. eel
ógbo n. python
ogbóko n. distance
ógborígbo n. monitor lizard, ‘iguana’
(ọwọrhọn)
ogborhuane n. cock
(okokoroko)
ogbọ n. tree felling stage in the preparation of farm land
ogbọnọ n. bullet
ogbú n. warrior
ogha (ogaga) n. long instrument with barbs used for killing fish (e.g. spear)
oghare n. division
oghẹrúvo n. afternoon
óghóghori n. lizard
oghoremu n. hawker
oghọ n. branch
oghọre n. hook
oghresi n. mouse
oghriki n. tree sp.
oghwá1 n. load
óghwa2 n. stall
oghwara1 n. castrated animal (e.g. pig)
oghwara2 n. gourd
oghwévwri n. oil soap
(oghwófígbo)
oghwó (irhibo) n. soup
oghwókpo n. toad
ogrogro a. tall, long (in some contexts = grogro)
oha n. mockery
ohahe n. silk-cotton tree
oheri n. heat
óhéhẹre n. width
27
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


ohori n. worm
óhoró n. vagina
ohọre n. neck
ohọnre n. fight
óhórọ n. skin
óhra n. disorganisation
ohro (erawevwi) n. rat
ohwahwa n. harmattan
ohwérivwi n. ghost
ohwiyeri n. fisherman
ohwó n. person
ohwóhwó n. each other
ohwórákpọ n. human being
oja1 n. suffering
ojá2 n. yam stick
oji n. thief
ojọrọ n. chain
oka1 n. type/kind
óka2 n. mark
ókákọ n. crop
ókao n. masquerade
ókarerivwi n. birth mark
okárọ1 n. gun-shot
okárọ2 n. wardrobe
oke n. Urhobo name for the Yoruba people and their language
okemwa n. tailor
okere n. frog sp.
okidiagbara n. chairman
(ochidiagbara)
óko (ugbeya) (ọsẹ) n. friend
okó1 n. asset
okọ2 n. boat/canoe
okọrédi n. boat used locally for production of palm oil
okọrénu (ẹrupleni) n. aeroplane
okọrérháre (okuna) n. ship
okọrórivwi n. coffin
(ékpetiórivwi)
okọrótọ (imóto) n. motor vehicle
okọrúhọphe n. raft
okuba n. necessity
okugbé1 a. federal
okugbé2 n. togetherness
okukuji n. owl
(okpurhukpurhu)

28
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


okuogho (uriọfọ) n. headtie/headscarf
(onẹso)
(ọvwauyovwi)
okpa1 n. calabash
ókpa2 n. hand-woven wrapper as thick as blanket
okpagha n. oil-bean tree
okpahọvo n. two Naira (N2)
okpakpa n. haste
okpému1 n. big hawk
okpému2 n. strange thing, extraordinary thing that beats imagination
okpetú (ógbarógba) n. trouble
okpohrókpo n. lion
ókrẹkrẹ n. shortness
okri (ẹkpro) n. he (billy) goat
oma1 (ugboma) n. body/self
óma2 n. image
omagáre int. how are you?
omamẹ pron. myself
omámọ1 n. fruit
omamọ2 (uvi) a. best/special
omaohwó pron. oneself
omarávwáre pron. ourselves
omaráyen pron. themselves
omarowan pron. yourselves
(omarovwan)
omaróyen pron. himself, herself, itself
omavwerhovwẹ n. pleasure, gladness, joy
omawẹn pron. yourself
omédje n. introduction
omékuogbe n. unity
omérovwo n. holiday
omeru n. pretence
omévwuo n. pomposity
omécha n. protection
omédja n. harshness
omériọ n. jealousy
omévuọ n. shame
omévwárhọ n. struggling
omévwávwọ n. competition
omévwọvwọ n. disgrace
(ovwọvwọvwe)
omíragua n. mister (Mr.)
ómógodẹ n. lamb
ómoko n. parrot
ómókri (émékpro) n. young he-goat
29
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


ómóni n. relation
ómótete n. infant
ómozé n. plate (unbreakable)
omurú n. arbitrary act
oná n. skill
ónánó (onọ) n. question
ónẹ n. race
óni n. mother
óniáruakpọ n. stepmother
óniáye n. in-law (female)
onini n. master
óniorọvwe n. mother/sister in-law
óniọvo n. brother/sister
oniru n. programme
oniyono n. syllabus
óno int. who (sing.)
ónógbo n. cat
Ólókú p.n. sea-god
onorí n. leader
ólórógun n. chief
onótu n. commissioner/minister
onughe n. spectator
ópiri n. dance
opháro n. face
óphiọrọ n. whistle
óphopho n. pepper soup
(irhiberhare)
óphọrọ n. mudfish
ora n. sore
oraévun n. stomach ulcer
óraóbọ n. bracelet
óraóhọre n. necklace
órávwọ n. thing/something
orere n. hare
orẹ1 n. feast
órẹ2 n. plea
orémré n. sight
orí1 n. pomade
óri2 n. food made of corn
orin3 n. pus
oriaren n. August
órié n. palm tree
orivwi n. corpse
orivwiéshó n. funeral
óro1 n. gold
30
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


2
oró n. wasp
ororigho n. accountant
orọvwe n. marriage
órua n. extended family
oruchó n. crime
orugbá n. completion
orukérí n. revenge
orukugbé n. co-operation
orukuruku n. corruption
orumwemwu n. sinner
orúrú n. thread
órhá n. witchcraft
orhare n. well
órhére n. midwife
orhérẹn n. reverend (Rev.)
orhérhé n. cricket
orhẹ n. abdomen
orhié n. verdict
orhirhi n. electric fish
orho (órere) n. town
órhóma prep. surrounding
órhó n. ear
órhua n. deer
orhuẹ1 n. madness
orhué2 n. hunter
orhuẹre n. catfish
órhuéro n. blind person
osa1 n. debt
osa2 n. salary
ósáye n. payment made as compensation for defiling another man's wife
osébro n. deposit
oseghe n. contest
óseri n. witness
ósé n. scale
osévwe (eheri) n. fashionably dressed for an occasion
osi n. stroke
osiẹbe n. secretary
osio n. rain
osioruru (álẹ) n. spider
osivwohwo n. saviour
osọnọ n. anguish
osuigodẹ n. shepherd
oshenyé n. oppression
óshó1 n. penis
oshọ2 n. fear
31
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


oshu n. louse
otá n. speech/word
ótáfe (uphẹphẹ) n. outside
otáríroro n. poem
otebene (égo) n. tumbler
ótete a. small
otí (irigbẹyi) n. leprosy
ótọ1 n. ground/down
ótọ2 n. meaning
otóvwe n. longevity
otu n. majority/group of people
óva n. scolding
ovákpó n. window
ovie n. king/traditional ruler
ovieraye n. queen
óvié n. cry
óvuẹ n. message
ovwavwa n. plank
óvwarha n. bead (in general)
ovwerhẹ n. sleep
ovwi n. measles
óvwie n. shade
ovwiégbére n. poor person
ovwié1 n. leather
ovwién2 n. clay
ovwiẹrẹ n. laziness
ovwiévwe n. deceit
ovwoó n. south
óvwọvwọ n. evening
ovwu n. anger
óvwrovwro n. co-wife
ówáre n. brief period of sunshine in the rainy season (August break)
ówe1 n. mosquito
owe2 n. bush mango
owẹ n. fishpond
owẹvwe n. hunger
ówia n. work
ówórhi n. catarrh
owọ n. leg
ówọrhe n. cough
óyan n. walk/movement
oyao n. garden egg
oyare n. begging
oyavwe n. circumcision
óyibó n. white man
32
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


óyibótọ (obobo) n. mulatto/albino
oyivwi1 n. boldness
oyivwi2 (aruéyivwo) n. rudeness
oyóma a. okay/good
oyono n. teacher
oyonorode n. professor
oyoyovwi a. beautiful (in some contexts = yoyovwi)
oyubu n. sugar
ozé n. basin
ózighé n. murderer
ozighi n. roughness, trouble making

Ọọ

ọ (o) pron. he, she, it


ọbara n. blood
ọbe n. book
ọberíyẹnrẹn n. newspaper
ọberóvuẹ n. letter
ọberófeta n. dictionary
ọberúkeri n. calendar
ọberúseri n. certificate/receipt
ọbẹrokpa n. palm nuts collector
ọbiúyovwi n. charm for longevity
ọbo n. doctor (medical/traditional)
ọbóba1 n. young thing/offspring
ọbóba2 a. young, tender
ọboepha n. oracle man
ọboériáriẹ n. doctor (academic)
ọboimwu n. pharmacist
(ọboihuvwu)
óboine n. singer
ọbuwevwi n. architect
ọchó n. hip
ọchuko n. helper
ọchuyovwi n. pillow
ọda n. paint
ọdafe n. rich person
ọdávwẹ n. interest/desire
ọdavwiní1 n. examination
ọdavwiní2 n. temptation
ọdemu n. customer
ódọ n. larvae of beetle
ọdja n. sweat
33
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


ófa pron. another
ọfarhiẹ n. fornication
ọfeta n. translator
ọfé n. tilapia
ọfẹto n. comb
ófo n. tick
ọfuanfo a. white (in some contexts = fuanfo)
ọga1 (emiavwe) n. disease/sickness
ọgá2 n. sir/boss
ọgán3 (ogén) n. animal track
ọgadiẹ n. crab
ọgagan a. tough, strong, hard (in some contexts = gagan)
ọgarephẹn n. diabetics
ọgẹdjọ n. idol worshipper
ọgẹrobọ (urárá) n. ladle
ógọ1 n. in-law (male)
ọgó2 n. bottle
ọgọdọ n. pit
ọgọghẹnẹ n. Christian
ọgọrọ n. raffia palm
ọguá1 n. palace
ọguá2 n. town hall
ọguimoto n. driver
ógbá1 n. hero
ógban2 num. thirty
ọgban3 n. horn
ógbóre n. glutton
ógbúdi n. drunkard
óghágháre a. dear/precious
Óghẹné p.n. God
(osonobrughwẹ)
ọghọ1 n. respect/honour
ọghọ2 n. virginity
ọghọrọgbọdọ n. elephant grass
ọghrẹrẹ n. centipede
ọghware n. cheating
ọghweta n. reporter
óghwéfia n. charm for protection against gun shot
ọghwékoko n. gathering
ọghwérẹ n. farmer
ọghwo n. old age
ọghwọrọ n. waste
ọghwrọrọ n. slope
ọhẹrhuwevwi n. gecko

34
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


ọhohowa n. bushfowl
(ọhọaghwa)
óhọ1 n. fowl
ọhó2 n. sense
óhọáye n. hen
ọhọhọhọ a. heavy (in some contexts = họhọhọ)
ọhọvwọre n. chieftaincy title
óhróware n. shrew
ọhwarhisọ n. dung-beetle
ọhwẹre1 n. tadpole
(igbrigbririn)
ọhwẹre2 n. eye pain like "Apollo"
óhwẹróbọ n. left-handed person
óhwúnu n. gun
ọja n. toothache
ọjẹfia n. disrespect
óka1 n. corn, maize
ọkán2 n. sunbird
ọkakúro n. chieftaincy title
ọkaórho n. title normally given to the oldest man in a town
ọkarekọ n. woodpecker
ọke1 n. time
ọké2 (okpé) n. miserliness
ọkefiọke adv. occasionally
ọkeghọrọ n. kingfisher
ọkevó int. when
ọkẹre n. tide/flood
ọkiévwiẹ n. birthday
ọkiorhọ n. harvest season (of yams, crops etc)
ọkiósio n. rainy season
ọkiọvo adv. sometimes
ọkiúvo n. dry season
ọkó1 (ighwre) n. village
ọko2 n. gift parcel, present
ókókó n. corner
ọkpá n. thickness
ọkpáko n. senior
ọkparibibẹ n. pincers
ọkparivie n. brassière
ọkpo n. piles
ọkpó1 n. walking stick
ọkpó2 n. bamboo
ókpọ3 n. namesake
ọkpóbia n. squirrel-like animal
ókpórho n. fish box/refrigerator
35
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


ókpórhorórivwi n. mortuary
ókpórhoróbara n. blood bank
ọkrẹkrẹ a. short (in some contexts = krẹkrẹ)
óméro n. pupil (of eye)
ọmiọvwọ n. nursing mother, woman having children
ómótọ n. native, indigene
ómó n. child
ómọbóba n. baby
ómọfófa n. bushbaby
ómọkpáko n. first born
ómómare n. old person
ómọráruakpọ n. stepchild
ómọrovie n. prince, princess
ómọróriọka n. bastard
ómósẹ n. half brother/sister
ómóshare n. boy
ómótẹ (ọgbọtọ) n. girl
(ọkọkọ)
ómótobẹ n. spinster
ómótógbẹ n. old married woman who returns to her father's compound to stay
ọmraro n. prophet
ómwa n. soldier fish
ọnégbáge n. wrapper
ọnéki n. trader
ọné n. yam
ọnókpa n. policeman
ónya n. lobster
ọnyẹ1 n. incubus
ọnyé2 n. weight
ọnyẹnyé n. sardine
ónyọ n. bee
ọpuọpuọ n. ray (fish)
ọre1 n. tsetse fly
ọre2 n. meal
ọrémuọghọkẹ n. honourable
ọriéda (azẹ) n. witch/wizard
ọriẹ n. arrogance
ọrígbẹ (evuén) n. porcupine
órígbo n. bitterleaf
ọriọka n. weaver bird
ọrobiebi n. cobra
ọrovwori n. lord
ọrhá n. idol, shrine
ọrhárha n. visitor/stranger
ọrháre n. bachelor
36
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


1
ọrhe n. odour
órhe2 n. native chalk
ọrhẹ (ọdẹ) n. plantain
ọrhẹrotọ n. security guard (be it day or night)
ọrhierhia n. tale-bearer/traitor
ọrho n. growth
ọrhoghwo n. sieve
ọrhorhorho (ọtuabọ) a. hot
ọse n. lover
ọscba n. upper wrapper (of the two) worn by women
ọséte n. plate (breakable)
ósẹ n. father
ósẹráruskpọ n. stepfather
ọsia n. gorilla (also powerful person)
ọsipíto n. hospital
ọso n. hawk
ósorọvwe n. father/brother in-law
ọsoso1 (ovwiọvwiọ) n. straight
ọsoso2 n. full, complete
ọsosuáda n. main part of a street
ọsuere n. main part of a town
ósúke n. humpback
óshare (ọhworhare) n. man
óshareórọvwe n. husband
ọtan n. squirrel
ọtishé n. charm for effective blow
ọtota n. spokesman
ọtọke (ọtokpẹ) n. miser
ọtọrọ n. pattern of wrapper worn by men
ọvié n. slave
ọvo1 num. one
óvo2 adv. only
ọvo3 a. certain
óvuikpe n. January
ọvuọvo1 a. same
ọvuóvó2 adv. one by one/step by step
ọvwá n. bride
ọvwághware n. wise man
óvwáre n. young palm
óvwe1 n. frond
ọvwe2 n. food prepared without salt
ọvwéro n. backbiter
ọvwerhotọ n. puff adder
ọvwẹ1 n. viper
ọvwé2 n. free
37
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


ọvwiẹrẹ n. lazy person
ọvwísusu n. rascal, a nuisance
ọvwósoghoro n. vagabond
ọvwóshọ n. coward
ọvwóvwa n. non witch or wizard
ọvwózighi n. rough person, confusionist
ọvwófarhiẹ n. fornicator
ọvwọrikọkọ n. stammerer
ọvwúrhuru n. selfish person, one who has greed for others' food or things
ọvwúvwohwo n. person without helper
óvwra n. bird
ọvwréghrẹ n. enemy
ọwára n. priest
ọwẹnẹwẹnẹ exp. statement that tends to examine an issue in alternative manner
ọyavwemetẹ n. person who circumcises women
(ọyaọvwa)
óye pron. him, her or it
ọyikọ n. messenger
ọyọrigho n. treasurer
ọyọrọmọ n. housemaid

Pp

paparapa a. flat
patapata adv. anyhow
pépé a. throbbing
pépé1 adv. quietly
pẹpé2 v.t pet
pẹtẹpẹtẹ a. watery
piápiá a. state of not being ripe
piọpiọpiọ a. pointed (sharp tip)
potokri n. Portuguese person
pọkọpọko a. robust
pueké a. massive
puépué a. clean
puéché a. sluggish
puépué a. over-ripe or overcooked

38
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


PH ph

phẹ1 v.i urinate


phẹn2 v.t expand, widen (of something)
phẹn3 v.i cave in (e.g. of pit)
pho v.t jump
phopho1 v.t blow
phopho2 v.t smoke
phorophoro1 ideo. gentle
phorophoro2 adv. not clearly

Rr

rare v.t lick


ravware poss.a. our
rayen poss.a. their
re v.t eat
reghereghe a. indefinite
rere conj. in order to, so that
rérhá a. third
résáa a. sixth
reyọ v.t take
rẹ1 v.t beg/plead
ré2 part. of
réné a. fourth
rérére a. eighth
résosuọ a. first
riakpọ v.t enjoy
riariẹ a. round
rié v.t wipe
riérié v.t lure, entice
rioriorio a. smooth
ríghwré a. seventh
ríhwé a. tenth
ririe v.t tickle
rírhiri a. ninth
rívé a. second
ríyorin a. fifth
ro v.t enter
rode a. big
roro v.i think, add
rovwo v.t forget
rowán (rovwán) poss.a. your (coll.)
rọ v.t swallow
39
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


rọvwọ v.t marry
rọyen poss.a. his, her, its
ru v.t do/make
rua v.t poison/bewitch
rukugbe v.t co-operate

RH rh

rhá1 v.t unite


rha2 v.i fly
rhare v.t paint
rharhe v.t bore (hole)
rhẹ v.t filter
rhẹriẹ v.t turn
rhẹrhẹ v.i swim
rhie v.t open
rhiririn adv. non-stop, continuously
rhívwi (hirhe) v.i return
rho v.t parboil (of fish or meat halfway)
rhoma adv. again
rhovwo v.t bite
rhọ v.i rain
rhọghọ v.t lay (egg)
rhọvwe v.t agree/accept
rhuẹ v.i bend (down)
rhurhu v.t cover

Ss

sa1 v.t shoot


sa2 v.i burst, break open explosively
sane v.t select
sánsán a. different
sasasa a. smart
se1 v.t read
se2 v.t refuse
sé3 v.t call
segbúyóta v.i believe
sẹ (heri) v.i dress (for an occasion)
si1 v.t write
si2 v.t pull
siẹné (rere) conj. so that, so as to
siévuóvo (rharhiri) adv. at once
40
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


1
sivwi v.t treat
sivwi2 v.t contest, struggle for
so1 v.t tap
so2 v.i sing
sobọ v.t shake hand
su v.t lead, escort
suesú a. sticky

SH sh

shá excl. word to chase away domestic animals


she1 v.t fall
she2 v.i fail
shenyé v.t oppress
sherhẹ v.t lie
shesheri a. far
shẹ v.t sell
shi v.t bury
shiguẹ v.i kneel down
shórọ v.i crawl
shu v.i capsize
Shuo! excl. expresses surprise

Tt

ta1 v.t talk/say


tá2 (chá) exp. word for rebuking
téri a. enough
tẹ v.i fall out of grace, to be without honour
tighitighi id. tangled state
titi v.i be renowned, be famous
tivọ int. where
torhẹ v.t burn
tọ1 v.t dig
tọ2 v.i live long
tọre v.t pick
tu v.t summon
tue v.i purge
tuó v.t chew
tuvwiyọ v.t begin/start

41
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


Uu

ubeku n. bone
ubékpe n. wing
úbi1 n. seed
ubí2 n. charcoal, soot
úbiáko n. tooth
úbiébi n. emphatic word for dark complexion
úbiédada n. rib
úbiédi n. palm-nut
úbiéhú n. kidney
úbiényẹ n. angle
úbiérágha n. stone
(úbiúkuta)
úbieri n. mudfish sp.
úbígho n. cowry
úbióhoró n. clitoris
ubiota n. letter (a, b, c, etc.)
ubiotako n. consonant
ubiotaupho n. vowel
úbiówọ n. ball by the ankle
úbiri n. spear
úbiúdú n. heart
úbiúgbo n. knee cap
úbiupho n. Adam's apple
úbiúrhe n. stick
úbivie n. coral bead
úbívun n. intestine
ubuara n. handwoven wrapper worn by elders
úbrésiso n. hundred Naira (N100)
ubrevwiẹ n. last born
úbro n. half
úbrótọ n. state
úbrúwevwi n. room
úchébro n. advice
uché n. quantity
uchere n. cookery
uchivwo n. pillar
úchúkówọ n. heel
úchuku n. stump
uchunu n. amount
udene (ódókó) n. male agama lizard
udi1 n. drink, wine
údí2 n. grasscutter, cane-rat
udiáme (ọgọrọ) n. palmwine
42
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


údídẹ n. earthworm
udidi n. dignity, charisma
údiéweri (okpe) n. chimpanzee
udió (orhá) n. cork
údo n. riddle
údú n. chest
úduébro n. anxiety
udje n. energetic Urhobo dance
údjú (óghweri) n. farm
úfí n. trap
úfífobọ n. fingernail
úfiówọ n. sole rash
úfuomá n. peace
ugana (ibara) n. balcony
úgé n. fish-trap
ugo n. eagle
úgúgunu n. bend
uguegue n. shock
úgba n. game of children involving jumping on the ground
úgbáda adv. simultaneously
ugbakana (agbada) n. ladder
ugbenu n. mountain/hill
ugbére n. gonorrhoea
ugbévwiẹ n. age-group
ugbẹ n. pen, biro, pencil
ugbẹáme n. pen, biro
ugbẹóyaya n. pencil
úgbévwére n. potsherd, broken earthenware
ugbí n. seed-yam for planting
ugbo n. bone between the knee and the ankle
ugbóbọ n. arm
ugbogbo n. caterpillar
úgbónẹ n. speed
ugbọmo n. child belt
úgbọvó n. single wrapper worn by unmarried girl
úgbugberi adv. across
ugbuko (uko) n. back
ugbunu (unu) n. mouth
ughé n. spectacle
ughegbe n. mirror
úghére n. outskirts of a town or village
úghéghẹ n. foolishness
ughẹn n. period set aside for a woman to sleep with her husband
ughọjọ (unọke) n. watch, clock
ughwaka n. salt
43
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


ughweri n. native salt
ughwu n. death
ughwru n. boundary
úgrógro n. length
uhéréviáso n. midnight
uhérévie prep. middle, between
úhóhi1 n. spiny part of the palm tree containing the leaves
uhohi2 n. navel
úhoho n. shadow
úhwerhe n. sugar-cane
úhwóvó num. eleven
(ihwegbẹọvo)
uje num. twenty
uji n. theft
ujórin num. hundred
ujórha num. sixty
ujórhagbẹihwe num. seventy
újọ n. fly-whisk, object made of the tail of the horse used for decoration or
dancing
ujóne num. eighty
ujónegbẹihwe num. ninety
ujúvẹ num. forty
ujúvẹgbẹihwe num. fifty
uke1 n. hump, hunch
uke2 n. style in Urhobo wrestling
ukéké n. piece of stick used for setting trap
ikeri n. number
úké n. egg
ukécha n. help
úkérékpẹ n. brick
ukẹun n. potash
úkó n. cup
ukodo n. food prepared with meat and yam or plantain together (mixed grill)
ukókó1 n. association/society
ukoko2 n. (tobacco) pipe
ukokódia n. coconut palm
ukoni n. kitchen
ukori n. lump
úkówọ n. top of the foot
úkọ n. misfortune
ukókóghọ n. small calabash used for storing medicine
ukópa (ikọbọ) n. one kobo (1k)
úkọvwá n. bridesmaid
úku n. heritage
ukujẹrẹ n. spoon
44
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


ukúta n. rock
ukútarírhibo n. grinding stone
(onanọ)
úkúwevwi n. back yard
úkpavwre. n. bile
ukpe1 n. year
úkpe2 (éhwá) n. bed
úkpébó n. white poplin
ukpéré prep. instead of
ukperi n. scandal
úkpokpo (ókónọ) n. missile
úkpókpógho n. disturbance
úkpokpomá n. problem, worriedness
ukpono1 n. lame person
ukpono2 (úhwérhe) n. broom used in sweeping open places like compound while standing
ukpotọ n. pothole
úkpọkẹre n. gutter
úmáko n. pepper fruit
umẹ1 n. committee
úmé2 n. cucumber
umi n. sack used to squeeze water out of ground cassava
úmióvwo n. destruction
úmuému (úrubé) n. boil
úmuwevwi n. cottage
umwamwa n. belt used by women
umwemwu n. sin
umwáyá n. belt
umwu (uhuvwu) n. drug
une n. song
unédi n. bunch of palm-nuts
unó (ulóhó) n. oak [no oak trees in Nigeria]
unórhẹ n. bunch of plantains
unu n. hole
unuémióvwo n. slander
unuéphérẹ n. tribe
unuékó n. quarrel
unurévie n. nipple
unurúwén n. nostril
unúrhoro n. entrance/gate
únúsọ n. anus
úpé n. scar
upéré (ubíbẹ) n. nail
úphiáphiá n. cane/whip
uphó1 n. throat
úpho2 n. flesh
45
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


úphóro n. feather
úre n. totality
úrié n. vein
urí num. two hundred
urí gbẹ ujórin num. three hundred
uriórin num. one thousand
uriórha num. six hundred
iriórha gbẹ ujórin num. seven hundred
uriọdja n. handkerchief
urióne num. eight hundred
urióne gbẹ ujórin num. nine hundred
uriri n. glory
úririẹ n. spice variety
urívẹ num. four hundred
urívẹ gbẹ ujórin num. five hundred
úróko n. mile/kilometre
úruému n. behaviour
úruhré (úfí) n. rope
urúrúvwen n. December
úrhé n. tree
úrhi n. law
urhié n. river
úrhié n. queue
urhévwe n. destiny
úrhióbọ n. finger
úrhiówọ n. toe
urhiórin n. September
úrhiọke n. morning
úrhirako n. fox
urho1 (udo) n. mortar
urhó2 n. gum tree sp.
urhuẹ (ogbẹ) n. home
úrhúghweri n. mangrove sp.
úrhukpẹ (úkpẹ) n. lamp/light
urhuru1 n. selfishness
urhuru2 n. voice
úrhúrhu n. tail
urhúvwu n. street
usa n. ring
úsábọ n. scratch
úságuẹ n. groundnut
úse n. call
úseki n. charm for business promotion
úsekpe n. snail
úseri n. proof, evidence
46
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


1
usi n. fame
úsi2 n. line
usí3 n. starch
úsiavwrẹ n. key
usigá n. jigger
usigho n. charm for wealth
usú n. company
úsuo n. government
usuọvwa n. middleman (within the context of marriage)
úshavwo n. okra
usheneuwámwá n. twenty kobo (20k)
ushi n. grave
úshọvó n. November
ushurhe n. axe
utéhru n. steel
útiẹ (ọsa) n. orange
utohri n. pestle
utóró n. three kobo (3k)
utú n. north
utudjéru (itijoro) n. scissors
útughẹ n. hut
utunédi n. bunch of palm-nuts from which the nuts had been removed
útuomá n. charm that exposes someone to hatred
ututa n. onion
útúwevwi1 n. floor
(ótọrúwevwi)
útúwevwi2 n. parlour
uví1 n. paddle
úvi2 a. real
uvie n. kingdom
uvo (ọren) n. sun, sunshine
úvun n. bedroom
uvuówọ n. calf
uvumwemwu n. wickedness
uvweri n. mourning
uvwerhi n. reluctance
úvwési (ipóko) n. pork
úvwẹ n. chance
uvwiẹ1 n. generation
úvwié2 n. fart, foul air through the anus
uvwiéreri n. shoal
uvwré prep. midst
uvwróvwró n. crevice
uvwrọmọ n. grandchild
úwén1 n. nose
47
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


2
úwe n. thorn
úwéré n. hardship
uwerúyóno n. school
(isukuru)
uwevwi n. house
uwevwiẹbe n. library
uwevwiótọ n. bungalow
uweyi n. errand
úwén n. big fish-trap
uwéga (ishọshi) n. church
uwódi n. prison
uwórha n. shrine
úyérén1 n. greeting, appreciation
uyere2 n. moat
úyé n. fly
úyédjọ n. mask
úyóno n. lesson
úyóta n. truth
uyovwi n. head
úyovwióta n. theme
úzo (akora) n. antelope

Vv

va1 v.t scold


vá2 v.t butcher, break into parts (e.g. kola-nut)
ve v.t bargain
vẹ1 v.t disperse (of a crowd)
vé2 prep. with
vẹn3 (gunu) v.t bend
vẹrhe adv. before
vie v.t suck
viẹ v.i cry
vo v.t draw (e.g. water out of well)
vó int. which
vu v.t uproot
vué v.t tell
vughe v.t know/recognise
vuvwu v.t roast
vrẹ v.i rise

48
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


VW vw

vwá1 v.t revoke


vwa2 int. word that relates to the state of a person or thing
vware v.t wrap
vwarié v.t repeat
vwarhe v.i struggle
vwavware a. red
vwavwarhe (ghéghé) a. light
vwavwe v.t weigh
vwerhẹ v.i sleep
vwevwerhe a. delicious
vwẹ1 (mẹ) pron. me
vwé2 prep. within, in
vwẹghẹvwẹghẹ id. flat
vwẹre a. fast
vwi v.t stone
vwié1 v.t deceive
vwiẹ2 v.t born
vwiọvwiọ id. straight
vwirhi v.t break (with hands)
vwiyẹ prep. into
vwó1 (vwó) v.t use
vwọ2 v.t assist a person in lifting a load to the head
vwọvwe v.t disgrace
vwu v.i swell
vwre v.t turn (somebody/something) over
vwrẹ v.t cut (with hands)
vwro v.t argue
vwru v.i survive

Ww

wá1 (vwán) pron. you (coll.)


wá2 (vwán) pron. you (obj.) (coll.)
wa3 v.i pass (examination)
wavrẹ v.t outstrip, overtake, pass
weke id. word describing the vastness of an injury
wene v.t change, transfer
wéruo exp. please continue with your meal (coll.)
wẹ1 (wọ) pron. you (sing.)
wẹ2 pron. you (obj.) (sing.)
wén3 poss.a. you (sing.)
wẹn4 v.i breathe
49
Urhobo Dictionary A.O. Ukere (1986) Web version by Roger Blench (2005)

Urhobo PoS English gloss


wẹnẹ v.t exchange words with
wia v.t work
wo1 v.t descend
wo2 v.t put down (of load carried by a person)

Yy

yá1 v.t catch


yan2 v.i walk/move
yanra (ra) (kpo) v.i go
yanrhe (mọ) (rhe) v.i come
yárá a. bitter
yavwe v.t circumcise
yáyá a. dry
Yéghwérẹ exp. safe journey!
yena dem. that/those
yeri v.t climb
yerobuwevwi exp. greet all at home
yẹghrẹ v.i struggle for balance
yéré (éyé) conj. or
yoma v.i boast
yono v.t learn, study
yoyovwi (yovwi) adv. fine, well
yọre v.t hold

Zz

ze v.t offer, sacrifice


zighizighi1 id. rough
(yaghayagha)
zighizighi2 adv. roughly

50

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