Vocabularies

English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples

avuncular definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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avuncular

adjective C2
/əˈvʌŋkjələr/

kind and friendly, like an uncle

"He had an avuncular manner that made everyone feel comfortable."

awl definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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awl

noun C2
/ɔːl/

a small pointed tool used for making holes, especially in leather

"The cobbler used an awl to punch holes in the leather."

axiomatic definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C2
/ˌæk.si.əˈmæt.ɪk/

self-evident or unquestionable

"It is axiomatic that hard work leads to success."

azalea definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/əˈzeɪ.li.ə/

a flowering shrub with brightly colored blooms, often grown ornamentally

"The garden was full of blooming azaleas in spring."

azure definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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azure

adjective C2
/ˈæʒər/

A bright blue color like that of a clear sky.

"The clear sky was painted in a deep shade of azure."

bacchanal definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈbækənæl/

A noisy party involving drinking and revelry.

"The festival turned into a wild bacchanal by midnight."

bacchanalia definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˌbækəˈneɪliə/

A Roman festival of Bacchus celebrated with dancing, drinking, and revelry; any occasion of wild and drunken revelry.

"The novel describes the party as a bacchanalia of excess and joy."

bacchanalian definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C2
/ˌbækəˈneɪliən/

Characterized by or involving drunken revelry.

"The students threw a bacchanalian party after the exams."

backbite definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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backbite

verb C2
/ˈbækbaɪt/

to speak negatively about someone who is not present; to slander behind someone’s back

"It is wrong to backbite your colleagues behind their backs."

backslide definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C2
/ˈbækˌslaɪd/

To relapse into bad habits, undesirable practices, or moral decline.

"After months of progress, he began to backslide into old habits."

baconian definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C2
/beɪˈkoʊniən/

Relating to the philosopher Francis Bacon or his method of scientific reasoning.

"The researcher followed a Baconian approach to observation and experimentation."

badinage definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˌbædɪˈnɑːʒ/

Playful and humorous conversation; banter.

"The friends enjoyed a light badinage over coffee."

bailee definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˌbeɪˈliː/

a person or party who temporarily receives possession of goods or property from another under a legal agreement

"The bailee must take reasonable care of the goods while they are in his possession."

bailor definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈbeɪlɔːr/

a person who temporarily transfers possession of goods or property to another under a bailment agreement

"The bailor entrusted the valuable artwork to the museum for safekeeping."

baize definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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baize

noun C2
/beɪz/

A type of coarse woolen cloth, often green, used for covering tables such as billiard tables.

"The old card table was covered with worn baize."

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Bakul

noun C2
/bəˈkuːl/

a fragrant white flower native to South Asia, scientifically known as Mimusops elengi

"The sweet fragrance of bakul flowers filled the evening air in the village."

baleful definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C2
/ˈbeɪlfəl/

Threatening harm; menacing or expressing hatred.

"She gave him a baleful look after the insult."

balky definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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balky

adjective C2
/ˈbɔːlki/

difficult, uncooperative, or stubborn

"The balky printer refused to work when needed most."

ballast definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈbælæst/

heavy material used to stabilize a ship or vehicle

"The ship was loaded with ballast to remain steady in the storm."

Balsam definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈbɔːlsəm/

An aromatic resinous substance or plant used for healing or soothing.

"The tree produced a fragrant balsam used in medicine."

Balsam apple definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈbɔːl.səm ˈæp.əl/

a bitter gourd vegetable with a bumpy green skin, also known as bitter melon

"Balsam apple is cooked with spices to reduce its bitter taste."

banality definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/bəˈnæləti/

The condition of being unoriginal, boring, or obvious; trite remark or quality.

"The speech was criticized for its banality and lack of originality."

bandanna definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/bænˈdænə/

A large, often brightly colored handkerchief, typically worn on the head or around the neck.

"He tied a red bandanna around his neck."

bandy definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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bandy

verb C2
/ˈbændi/

To pass (words, ideas, or gossip) back and forth in a casual or argumentative way.

"They bandied jokes across the table."

baneful definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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baneful

adjective C2
/ˈbeɪnfəl/

Causing harm, ruin, or destruction; deadly or poisonous.

"His baneful influence ruined the community."

Banian definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈbæn.jən/

a sleeveless undergarment worn next to the skin; vest

"He put on a cotton banian under his shirt."

Barbar definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈbɑːr.bər/

a person whose job is to cut men's hair and shave or trim beards

"The barber gave him a perfect haircut for his wedding."

Barbarism definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈbɑːrbərɪzəm/

extreme cruelty or brutality; absence of culture and civilization

"The barbarism of the war crimes shocked the entire international community."

Barbarous definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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Barbarous

adjective C2
/ˈbɑːr.bə.rəs/

extremely cruel or uncivilized

"The prisoners were treated in a barbarous manner."

barcarole definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈbɑːr.kəˌroʊl/

a traditional Venetian boat song, often in 6/8 time

"The orchestra played a beautiful barcarole that reminded me of Venice."

bard definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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bard

noun C2
/bɑːrd/

a poet, traditionally one reciting epics and associated with oral traditions

"Shakespeare is often called the Bard of Avon."

barefaced definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C2
/ˈbɛərˌfeɪst/

shameless and undisguised; openly bold or unashamed

"He told a barefaced lie in front of everyone."

Barnacle definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈbɑːr.nɪ.kəl/

a marine crustacean that attaches itself permanently to underwater surfaces

"The old ship's hull was covered with barnacles."

barograph definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈbærəˌɡræf/

an instrument that records changes in atmospheric pressure

"The scientist checked the barograph for pressure variations."

barterer definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈbɑːrtərər/

A person who trades goods or services without using money.

"The barterer exchanged fruits for some pottery."

bassoon definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/bəˈsuːn/

a large woodwind instrument with a deep sound

"The orchestra featured a beautiful bassoon solo."

noun C2
/ˈbæs.tərd tiːk/

A flowering tree with bright orange-red flowers, also known as flame of the forest

"The bastard teak tree blooms with vibrant orange flowers in spring."

bastardization definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˌbæstərdaɪˈzeɪʃən/

the act of corrupting, degrading, or misrepresenting something

"Critics called the remake a bastardization of the original film."

bastardize definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C2
/ˈbæstərdaɪz/

to corrupt or debase something by altering it from its original form; to change in a way that reduces quality or purity

"Critics argue that the remake bastardized the original novel."

baste definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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baste

verb C2
/beɪst/

to pour or brush melted fat, juices, or liquid over meat during cooking to keep it moist

"She basted the turkey every 30 minutes to keep it juicy."

bate definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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bate

verb C2
/beɪt/

to lessen or restrain; to diminish the force or intensity of something

"He spoke with bated breath as he waited for the result."

bathetic definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C2
/bəˈθɛt.ɪk/

displaying insincere or trivial emotion; producing an unintended ridiculous effect through sudden change from serious to silly

"The movie's ending was unintentionally bathetic rather than tragic."

bathymetry definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/bəˈθɪm.ə.tri/

The measurement of depth of water in oceans, seas, or lakes.

"Bathymetry is essential for understanding oceanic topography."

batten definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C2
/ˈbætn/

To fasten or secure something tightly.

"They battened down the hatches before the storm."

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batty

adjective C2
/ˈbæti/

crazy or eccentric in behavior

"The old man down the street is a bit batty but harmless."

bauble definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈbɔːbəl/

A small, decorative trinket or ornament, often of little value.

"She wore a shiny bauble around her neck."

bawdy definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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bawdy

adjective C2
/ˈbɔːdi/

humorously indecent or obscene, often in a sexual way

"The comedian’s bawdy jokes made the audience laugh and blush."

baying definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
verb C2
/ˈbeɪɪŋ/

making a loud, prolonged barking or howling sound, especially of dogs

"The baying of the hounds echoed through the forest."

Beatened rice definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈbiːtənd raɪs/

flattened rice; rice that has been parboiled, dried, and beaten into flat flakes

"Beaten rice is commonly eaten with milk and sugar for breakfast."

beatific definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C2
/ˌbiːəˈtɪfɪk/

blissfully happy or showing great joy

"She had a beatific smile after hearing the good news."