# Words whose verb forms are much less common than their nouns?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-whose-verb-forms-are-much-less-common-than-their-nouns/1027746>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Tags:** books-writing-myths\
**Created:** [February 17, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-whose-verb-forms-are-much-less-common-than-their-nouns/1027746 "2026-02-17T14:47:08Z")\
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**Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-whose-verb-forms-are-much-less-common-than-their-nouns/1027746/1 "2026-02-17T14:47:08Z")

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When was the last time you **harbinged** your arrival to the holiday party? Do you **lase** the cat when it’s playtime? **Emote** at your spouse when you’re angry? Get a jump scare from one who **spides**? **Lech** after someone at the bar? **Buttle** for a paycheck?

What other words are like that, whose noun forms are relatively common (harbinger/laser/emotion/spider/lecher/buttler), but whose verb forms are rarely used?

Bonus: Some of these are back-formations that people made up from the noun form. Are there any words whose verb forms were _originally_ more common, but then fell into disuse later on once the noun gained more traction?