CEFR Level
kind and friendly, like an uncle
"He had an avuncular manner that made everyone feel comfortable."
a small pointed tool used for making holes, especially in leather
"The cobbler used an awl to punch holes in the leather."
self-evident or unquestionable
"It is axiomatic that hard work leads to success."
a flowering shrub with brightly colored blooms, often grown ornamentally
"The garden was full of blooming azaleas in spring."
A bright blue color like that of a clear sky.
"The clear sky was painted in a deep shade of azure."
A noisy party involving drinking and revelry.
"The festival turned into a wild bacchanal by midnight."
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."
Characterized by or involving drunken revelry.
"The students threw a bacchanalian party after the exams."
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."
To relapse into bad habits, undesirable practices, or moral decline.
"After months of progress, he began to backslide into old habits."
Relating to the philosopher Francis Bacon or his method of scientific reasoning.
"The researcher followed a Baconian approach to observation and experimentation."
Playful and humorous conversation; banter.
"The friends enjoyed a light badinage over coffee."
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."
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."
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."
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."
Threatening harm; menacing or expressing hatred.
"She gave him a baleful look after the insult."
difficult, uncooperative, or stubborn
"The balky printer refused to work when needed most."
heavy material used to stabilize a ship or vehicle
"The ship was loaded with ballast to remain steady in the storm."
An aromatic resinous substance or plant used for healing or soothing.
"The tree produced a fragrant balsam used in medicine."
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."
The condition of being unoriginal, boring, or obvious; trite remark or quality.
"The speech was criticized for its banality and lack of originality."
A large, often brightly colored handkerchief, typically worn on the head or around the neck.
"He tied a red bandanna around his neck."
To pass (words, ideas, or gossip) back and forth in a casual or argumentative way.
"They bandied jokes across the table."
Causing harm, ruin, or destruction; deadly or poisonous.
"His baneful influence ruined the community."
a sleeveless undergarment worn next to the skin; vest
"He put on a cotton banian under his shirt."
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."
extreme cruelty or brutality; absence of culture and civilization
"The barbarism of the war crimes shocked the entire international community."
extremely cruel or uncivilized
"The prisoners were treated in a barbarous manner."
a traditional Venetian boat song, often in 6/8 time
"The orchestra played a beautiful barcarole that reminded me of Venice."
a poet, traditionally one reciting epics and associated with oral traditions
"Shakespeare is often called the Bard of Avon."
shameless and undisguised; openly bold or unashamed
"He told a barefaced lie in front of everyone."
a marine crustacean that attaches itself permanently to underwater surfaces
"The old ship's hull was covered with barnacles."
an instrument that records changes in atmospheric pressure
"The scientist checked the barograph for pressure variations."
A person who trades goods or services without using money.
"The barterer exchanged fruits for some pottery."
a large woodwind instrument with a deep sound
"The orchestra featured a beautiful bassoon solo."
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."
the act of corrupting, degrading, or misrepresenting something
"Critics called the remake a bastardization of the original film."
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."
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."
to lessen or restrain; to diminish the force or intensity of something
"He spoke with bated breath as he waited for the result."
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."
The measurement of depth of water in oceans, seas, or lakes.
"Bathymetry is essential for understanding oceanic topography."
To fasten or secure something tightly.
"They battened down the hatches before the storm."
crazy or eccentric in behavior
"The old man down the street is a bit batty but harmless."
A small, decorative trinket or ornament, often of little value.
"She wore a shiny bauble around her neck."
humorously indecent or obscene, often in a sexual way
"The comedian’s bawdy jokes made the audience laugh and blush."
making a loud, prolonged barking or howling sound, especially of dogs
"The baying of the hounds echoed through the forest."
flattened rice; rice that has been parboiled, dried, and beaten into flat flakes
"Beaten rice is commonly eaten with milk and sugar for breakfast."
blissfully happy or showing great joy
"She had a beatific smile after hearing the good news."
