CEFR Level
The back part of a gun barrel; a position of a baby in the womb where the buttocks or feet come out first at birth.
"The rifle was loaded through the breech."
knee-length trousers; short pants
"He wore riding breeches for the equestrian event."
A roofed outdoor passage, often connecting two buildings.
"The breezeway connected the house to the garage."
A book containing the service for each day, used in Christian liturgy.
"The monk read from the breviary during morning prayers."
Small decorative objects or ornaments, often of little value.
"The shelves were filled with old bric-a-brac from her travels."
a piece of brick, especially one used as a missile; harsh criticism or censure
"The angry protesters threw brickbats at the building windows."
A military officer rank, usually commanding a brigade.
"The brigadier inspected the troops before the parade."
A member of a gang that ambushes and robs people in forests or mountains; a bandit.
"The travelers were attacked by brigands in the mountains."
Sulfur, especially when considered as fiery and associated with hell or divine punishment.
"The preacher spoke of fire and brimstone to warn the congregation."
Having a brownish or tawny color with streaks or spots of another color.
"The farmer owned a brindled cow with distinctive stripes."
a large purple vegetable that is white inside; also called eggplant
"My mother cooked brinjal curry for lunch."
the personification of Britain, often shown as a woman with a helmet and shield
"Britannia has been a symbol of Britain since Roman times."
a word, phrase, or characteristic feature of British English
"The word 'lorry' is a well-known Briticism."
a strong verbal attack or a sheet of paper printed on one side
"The politician launched a broadside against his opponent."
a rich fabric woven with a raised pattern, often in gold or silver thread
"She wore a beautiful brocade dress to the wedding."
A heavy, sturdy shoe, often made of leather.
"The farmer wore old brogans while working in the field."
A strong outdoor shoe; also a marked accent, especially Irish or Scottish.
"He bought a pair of stylish brogues for the wedding."
A trite or unoriginal idea or remark; also a chemical compound of bromine.
"His speech was full of old bromides about hard work."
a dark red, dense, toxic liquid element used in making dyes, flame retardants, and medications
"Bromine is commonly used in water treatment chemicals."
either of the two main branches of the trachea that lead directly into the lungs
"The left bronchus carries air into the left lung."
To intimidate or bully someone into doing something
"The lawyer tried to browbeat the witness."
to spread a rumor or report widely
"The scandal was quickly bruited about the town."
abrupt or blunt in manner or speech, often seen as rude
"His brusque reply ended the conversation."
in a blunt, abrupt, or rude manner
"She brusquely dismissed the suggestion."
a pirate, especially one active in the Caribbean during the 17th and 18th centuries
"The buccaneer sailed across the Caribbean in search of treasure."
Relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.
"They enjoyed a bucolic picnic by the river."
A ridiculous but amusing person; a clown or jester.
"He acted like a buffoon at the party, making everyone laugh."
Foolish or ridiculous behavior intended to amuse.
"His constant buffoonery irritated the serious audience."
An object of fear or worry; an imagined cause of anxiety.
"The threat of inflation became a political bugaboo."
Bulging, round, or swollen in shape; resembling a bulb.
"The frog had a bulbous nose and big eyes."
Gold or silver in bulk before being coined or made into jewelry.
"The bank stores gold bullion in its vaults."
A tall plant with long leaves that grows in or near water, also known as a cattail.
"The pond was surrounded by tall bulrushes swaying in the wind."
A strong wall or defensive structure; something that provides protection or support.
"The fortress walls served as a bulwark against enemy attacks."
Acting in a clumsy, awkward, or confused way.
"The bumbling waiter spilled the drinks on the table."
Arrogantly self-assertive or conceited.
"The bumptious student interrupted the teacher several times."
To grow or develop rapidly; to flourish.
"The city's population began to burgeon after the new factory opened."
A citizen of a town or borough with full rights of citizenship.
"In medieval times, a burgess had the right to vote and hold property."
A citizen of a town, typically a member of the wealthy middle class.
"The burgher was respected as a prosperous merchant in the city."
A humorous and exaggerated imitation of a serious work; a type of theatrical entertainment involving comedy and parody.
"The play was a clever burlesque of traditional opera."
To polish something by rubbing; to enhance or improve.
"He burnished the old table until it shone."
An official in a school or college responsible for financial affairs.
"The bursar approved the budget for the new library."
A type of thick-soled boot that reaches halfway to the knee; also associated with tragic drama in ancient times.
"The actor wore a buskin as part of his classical costume."
having a large or full bust; describing a woman with a prominent chest
"The actress was often described as busty in fashion magazines."
an isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top, common in arid regions
"The travelers could see a tall butte rising in the desert."
a small, smooth-skinned marine fish
"The butter-fish is popular in Bengali cuisine."
a blue flowering plant with butterfly-shaped flowers, used to make herbal tea
"Butterfly pea flowers turn tea into a beautiful blue color."
Plump, with a full figure and often large-breasted, especially used to describe women.
"The actress was described as a cheerful and buxom woman."
Extremely complicated and detailed; relating to the Byzantine Empire or its style.
"The new tax regulations are so byzantine that few understand them."
A secret group or faction engaged in plotting or intrigue.
"A small cabal was working behind the scenes to influence the election."
The doctrines, practices, or secretive dealings of a cabal.
"The historian wrote extensively about cabalism in the royal court."
