CEFR Level
To make someone or something seem less important or less valuable.
"He often belittled his coworkers to feel superior."
Hostile and aggressive; eager to fight.
"She became belligerent when the waiter got her order wrong."
To express discontent or sorrow over something.
"Critics bemoaned the lack of diversity in the film."
confused, puzzled, or lost in thought
"She looked bemused when he asked the strange question."
Easily curved or flexible.
"The bendy straw made it easier to drink from the cup."
a person who gives money or help to a cause or individual
"The school received a large donation from an anonymous benefactor."
the quality of being kind and generous
"Her benevolence toward the poor inspired many others to help."
well-meaning and kindly; generous
"The benevolent teacher helped students beyond the classroom."
Gentle, kind, or not harmful (especially of a disease or tumor).
"The doctor assured her that the tumor was benign."
to leave something, especially property or money, to someone in a will
"He bequeathed his entire estate to his children."
to scold or criticize angrily
"The teacher berated the student for being late."
to deprive someone of a loved one through death
"She was bereaved of her husband last year."
suffering the loss of a loved one through death
"The bereaved mother wept silently at the funeral."
The state of having lost a loved one through death.
"She received many letters of sympathy during her time of bereavement."
Deprived of or lacking something, especially a nonmaterial asset.
"After the betrayal, he felt bereft of hope and trust."
Out of control with anger or excitement; wild or frenzied.
"The fans went berserk when their team won the championship."
A place to sleep on a ship or train; a ship's allocated place at a dock.
"They reserved a lower berth on the overnight train."
to trouble, harass, or attack on all sides
"The village was beset by constant floods."
to surround a place with armed forces to capture it; to overwhelm with requests or attention
"The city was besieged by enemy troops."
To give or present something as a gift or honor.
"The king bestowed honors upon the brave soldiers."
a person who betrays someone or something; one who is disloyal
"The betrayer was exposed and faced severe consequences."
to cause someone to be confused or puzzled
"The complex instructions bewildered the students."
a list of books, articles, or other sources used or referred to in scholarly work
"The report includes a detailed bibliography at the end."
To argue or quarrel about trivial matters.
"The children began to bicker over the last piece of cake."
A person who is intolerant toward those holding different opinions or beliefs.
"He was called a bigot for refusing to listen to others' views."
Intolerance toward those who hold different opinions or lifestyles.
"Her bigotry prevented her from accepting people with different beliefs."
Involving two sides, parties, or countries.
"The two nations signed a bilateral trade agreement."
Negotiations or discussions between two parties, typically countries or organizations.
"Bilateral negotiations resolve disputes."
a bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid that aids digestion and is secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder
"The liver produces bile to help digest fats."
The protection and conservation of the variety of life in all its forms, including different species, genetic diversity, and ecosystems.
"Biodiversity preservation is critical for ecological balance."
the regions of the surface and atmosphere of the earth occupied by living organisms
"Climate change is affecting the entire biosphere."
A privilege or possession that a person has from birth.
"Freedom is considered a birthright of every individual."
harsh, sharp, or severely critical; capable of causing physical or emotional pain
"The critic’s biting remarks left the actor speechless."
a green, bumpy vegetable with a very bitter taste, known for its medicinal properties
"Bitter gourd is excellent for controlling blood sugar levels."
business (informal); commercial enterprise or activity
"He's been in the restaurant biz for twenty years."
a dark purple or black colored edible fruit with sweet and sour taste
"I picked some fresh black plums from the tree in our backyard."
a type of rock salt with a distinctive sulfuric flavor, commonly used in Indian cuisine
"Add a pinch of black salt to enhance the flavor of the fruit salad."
to make something black or darker; to stain, soil, or tarnish
"Smoke from the fire began to blacken the walls."
innocent of wrongdoing; not deserving blame
"She remained calm and blameless throughout the investigation."
to turn pale from shock, fear, or to briefly boil food to remove skin or prepare it
"She blanched at the sight of blood."
to make a loud, harsh sound
"The car horns blared all night."
the act of speaking disrespectfully about God or sacred things
"In some countries, blasphemy is a punishable offense."
done openly and unashamedly; obvious and offensive
"The company's blatant disregard for safety regulations angered the public."
a small flaw or mark that spoils the appearance of something
"The mirror had a small blemish on its surface."
A disease or condition that causes plants to wither; something that spoils or damages.
"The drought was a blight on the farmer’s crops."
Spoiled, damaged, or destroyed.
"The blighted neighborhood was abandoned by most residents."
Perfect happiness or great joy.
"The couple enjoyed a moment of pure bliss on their wedding day."
a small bubble on the skin filled with serum and caused by friction, burning, or other damage
"The new shoes gave her a painful blister on her heel."
to swell or cause to swell, often due to fluid or gas
"Eating too much junk food can bloat your stomach."
swollen or puffed up, often unpleasantly
"After the big meal, he felt bloated and uncomfortable."
