backslide
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C2 verb /ˈbækˌslaɪd/

backslide

Meaning
To relapse into bad habits, undesirable practices, or moral decline.
Example
After months of progress, he began to backslide into old habits.
B2 noun /ˈbeə.rər/

Bearer

Meaning
a person who carries or brings something; holder of a document
Example
The bearer of this message must deliver it quickly.
C1 adjective /ˈbaɪtɪŋ/

Biting

Meaning
extremely cold; sharply critical or harsh
Example
The biting cold made everyone shiver.
A1 verb (past participle of 'bear'), adjective /bɔːrn/

born

Meaning
To come into life; brought into existence.
Example
He was born in Dhaka in 1995.
C2 noun /ˌbɒmbərˈdɪər/

bombardier

Meaning
a member of a bomber crew responsible for releasing bombs
Example
The bombardier released the bombs with precision.
C2 noun /ˈbʊljən/

bullion

Meaning
Gold or silver in bulk before being coined or made into jewelry.
Example
The bank stores gold bullion in its vaults.
B2 noun, verb /bɒb/

bob

Meaning
a short sudden movement up and down; to move quickly up and down
Example
The small boat began to bob on the waves.
C2 verb /bɪˈdɛk/

bedeck

Meaning
to decorate or adorn something in a showy way
Example
The hall was bedecked with flowers for the wedding.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːr.bər/

Barbar

Meaning
a person whose job is to cut men's hair and shave or trim beards
Example
The barber gave him a perfect haircut for his wedding.
B2 noun /buːˈtiːk/

boutique

Meaning
a small shop that sells fashionable clothes or accessories
Example
She bought a beautiful dress from a boutique downtown.
C1 noun /bɪˈriːvmənt/

bereavement

Meaning
The state of having lost a loved one through death.
Example
She received many letters of sympathy during her time of bereavement.
B1 noun /ˈbaɪbəl/

bible

Meaning
the Christian scriptures consisting of the Old and New Testaments; also used for any authoritative book
Example
She reads the Bible every morning.
C2 noun /bɒmˈbeɪ dʌk/

Bombay duck

Meaning
a type of lizardfish found in coastal waters, commonly eaten dried and salted in South Asia
Example
Bombay duck is a popular delicacy when dried and fried.
A2 noun /brænd/

brand

Meaning
a type of product manufactured by a company under a particular name
Example
Nike is a popular brand of sportswear.
C2 verb /bɪˈwɪtʃ/

bewitch

Meaning
to enchant or fascinate someone as if by magic
Example
The dancer's performance bewitched the audience.
A2 noun; gerund /ˈbɒksɪŋ/

boxing

Meaning
the sport of fighting with fists using padded gloves; the act of putting something into a box
Example
He has been training hard for a professional boxing match.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈbæstərd/

bastard

Meaning
a child born to unmarried parents (offensive); also used informally as an insult or to describe something unpleasant
Example
He called him a bastard in anger.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪtɪˌsɪzəm/

briticism

Meaning
a word, phrase, or characteristic feature of British English
Example
The word 'lorry' is a well-known Briticism.
C2 verb /bɪˈfɪt/

befit

Meaning
to be suitable for; to be appropriate to
Example
Formal attire befits the seriousness of the occasion.
B2 noun /ˈbeɪ.zəl/

Basil

Meaning
an aromatic herb with green leaves used in cooking, especially Italian cuisine
Example
The pasta sauce was flavored with fresh basil.
C2 noun /ˈbæs.tərd tiːk/

Bastard teak

Meaning
A flowering tree with bright orange-red flowers, also known as flame of the forest
Example
The bastard teak tree blooms with vibrant orange flowers in spring.
C1 verb /bloʊt/

bloat

Meaning
to swell or cause to swell, often due to fluid or gas
Example
Eating too much junk food can bloat your stomach.
A2 verb /bɛɡ/

beg

Meaning
to ask for something earnestly; to request humbly
Example
The child begged for a new toy.
C2 noun /brəˈvjʊrə/

bravura

Meaning
a display of great skill and brilliance, especially in music or performance
Example
The pianist delivered a bravura performance that left the audience spellbound.
B2 noun/verb /bʌst/

bust

Meaning
As a noun: A sculpture of a person's head, shoulders, and chest; As a verb: To break, smash, or arrest.
Example
The police busted the gang last night.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈbæntərɪŋ/

bantering

Meaning
characterized by good-humored teasing or joking
Example
They had a bantering conversation at the café.
C2 noun /ˈbiːtənd raɪs/

Beatened rice

Meaning
flattened rice; rice that has been parboiled, dried, and beaten into flat flakes
Example
Beaten rice is commonly eaten with milk and sugar for breakfast.
C2 noun /ˈbɒnəmi/

bonhomie

Meaning
Cheerful friendliness and geniality.
Example
The meeting was filled with laughter and bonhomie.
C2 verb /ˈbændi/

bandy

Meaning
To pass (words, ideas, or gossip) back and forth in a casual or argumentative way.
Example
They bandied jokes across the table.
B2 noun /bent/

Bent

Meaning
a natural inclination or talent; a strong interest or liking for something
Example
She has a natural bent for music and art.
B2 noun /ˈbærəl/

barrel

Meaning
a large cylindrical container used to hold liquids
Example
The wine was stored in a wooden barrel.
C2 noun /ˌbeɪˈliː/

bailee

Meaning
a person or party who temporarily receives possession of goods or property from another under a legal agreement
Example
The bailee must take reasonable care of the goods while they are in his possession.
B1 noun /bʌn/

Bun

Meaning
a small round bread roll, often sweet
Example
I bought fresh buns from the bakery this morning.
B2 noun /ˈbrɛkdaʊn/

breakdown

Meaning
a failure or collapse of a system or machinery
Example
The car had a breakdown on the highway.
B1 noun /ˌbækˈjɑːrd/

backyard

Meaning
an area of land behind a house, typically used for recreation or gardening
Example
The children played football in the backyard.
A2 verb /ˈbɒðər/

bother

Meaning
to annoy, worry, or cause trouble to someone
Example
I don't want to bother you while you're working.
B2 noun /bɪˈliːvər/

believer

Meaning
a person who believes in something, especially a religious faith, idea, or principle
Example
She is a strong believer in hard work and honesty.
B1 verb/noun /bɔːr/

bore

Meaning
Verb: To make someone feel uninterested or tired; Noun: A dull or tiresome person.
Example
The lecture began to bore the students.
B2 noun ˈbluː.prɪnt

blueprint

Meaning
A detailed plan or framework for a work or project, a pre-planned structure.
Example
The architect presented a blueprint for the new building.
B1 noun /bʊk ˈsel.ər/

Book seller

Meaning
a person who sells books, especially as a business
Example
The book seller recommended a great novel for my summer reading.
C1 noun /bɪz/

Biz

Meaning
business (informal); commercial enterprise or activity
Example
He's been in the restaurant biz for twenty years.
A1 noun /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/

beginning

Meaning
The start or first part of something.
Example
The beginning of the story was very interesting.
A1 preposition/adverb/conjunction /bɪˈfɔːr/

before

Meaning
At an earlier time; in front of in order or place.
Example
She arrived before the meeting started.
C1 noun /beɪl/

bale

Meaning
A large bundle of goods tightly wrapped and bound.
Example
The workers loaded the bale of cotton onto the truck.
C2 noun /bleɪn/

Blain

Meaning
an inflammatory swelling or sore on the skin; a blister or pustule
Example
The doctor examined the blain on his arm.
C2 verb /baɪd/

bide

Meaning
to wait patiently for the right time or opportunity
Example
He decided to bide his time before making a move.
C2 verb /ˈbaɪfərˌkeɪt/

bifurcate

Meaning
to divide into two branches or parts
Example
The road bifurcates into two separate paths at the hill.
B2 adverb /ˈbruːtəli/

brutally

Meaning
in a cruel, violent, or harsh manner; in a very direct and blunt way
Example
The prisoners were treated brutally by the guards.
C1 adjective /ˈbækˌhændɪd/

backhanded

Meaning
Indirect or sarcastic, often appearing as praise but actually insulting.
Example
She gave him a backhanded compliment about his work.
A1 adjective /blæk/

Black

Meaning
having the darkest color; the opposite of white
Example
She wore a beautiful black dress to the party.
B2 adjective /blænd/

bland

Meaning
lacking strong features, flavor, or character; dull or uninteresting
Example
The soup was too bland for my taste.
C2 noun /ˈbɒdɪs/

bodice

Meaning
the part of a woman's dress that covers the body from the neck to the waist
Example
She wore a dress with an embroidered bodice.
B2 noun/verb /ˈbʌfər/

buffer

Meaning
Something that lessens or absorbs the impact of a shock; to act as a protective barrier.
Example
The organization acts as a buffer between workers and management.
A1 noun /bəˈnæn.ə/

Banana

Meaning
a long curved fruit with yellow skin and soft sweet flesh
Example
Bananas are a good source of potassium.
A2 noun, verb /bɑːr/

bar

Meaning
a counter where drinks are served; to prevent or block
Example
They decided to meet at the bar after work.
C1 verb /blɛər/

blare

Meaning
to make a loud, harsh sound
Example
The car horns blared all night.
B1 verb /bliːd/

bleed

Meaning
to lose blood from the body, especially due to injury
Example
She began to bleed from the cut on her arm.
C1 adjective /ˌbaɪˈlæt.ər.əl/

bilateral

Meaning
An agreement or relationship between two parties that is mutual, two-sided, or reciprocal.
Example
The two countries signed a bilateral trade agreement.
C1 phrase ˌbaɪ.oʊ.daɪˈvɜː.sɪ.ti ˌprez.əˈveɪ.ʃən

biodiversity preservation

Meaning
The protection and conservation of the variety of life in all its forms, including different species, genetic diversity, and ecosystems.
Example
Biodiversity preservation is critical for ecological balance.
C2 noun /ˌbæstərdaɪˈzeɪʃən/

bastardization

Meaning
the act of corrupting, degrading, or misrepresenting something
Example
Critics called the remake a bastardization of the original film.
C2 noun /ˈbɜːrdʒɪs/

burgess

Meaning
A citizen of a town or borough with full rights of citizenship.
Example
In medieval times, a burgess had the right to vote and hold property.
B2 noun /biːd/

Bead

Meaning
a small round object with a hole through it for threading
Example
She made a necklace with colorful beads.
B2 adjective /bɪˈliːvəbl̩/

believable

Meaning
Able to be trusted or accepted as true or reasonable.
Example
Her story was so detailed that it sounded believable.
A1 adjective /bluː/

Blue

Meaning
having the color of the clear sky or the sea
Example
The blue ocean stretched endlessly to the horizon.
B1 adjective /brɔːd/

Broad

Meaning
wide; extensive; covering a large area
Example
The river is very broad at this point.
B1 adverb /ˈbriːf.li/

Briefly

Meaning
in a short and clear way; for a short time
Example
Please explain the problem briefly.
C2 noun /ˌbɪbliəʊˈmeɪniə/

bibliomania

Meaning
An extreme obsession with collecting or possessing books.
Example
His bibliomania led him to fill every room with books.
B2 verb /boʊlt/

bolt

Meaning
To move suddenly and quickly; also to fasten something with a bolt.
Example
The horse bolted from the stable after hearing a loud noise.
B2 adjective /ˈbɪtər/

Bitter

Meaning
having a sharp, pungent taste; feeling or showing anger and disappointment
Example
The medicine had a bitter taste.
A2 noun /brɛθ/

breath

Meaning
The air taken into or expelled from the lungs during breathing.
Example
He took a deep breath before speaking.
C1 noun /ˈblɒk.ɪdʒ/

Blockage

Meaning
an obstruction that makes movement or flow difficult or impossible
Example
The drain blockage caused water to overflow in the kitchen.
A2 noun /ˈbʊkstɔːr/

bookstore

Meaning
a shop where books are sold
Example
She spent an entire afternoon browsing in the bookstore.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪmˌstoʊn/

brimstone

Meaning
Sulfur, especially when considered as fiery and associated with hell or divine punishment.
Example
The preacher spoke of fire and brimstone to warn the congregation.
A2 noun /brɪdʒ/

Bridge

Meaning
a structure carrying a road, path, railway, etc. across a river, road, or other obstacle
Example
The old stone bridge has connected the two towns for over a century.
B2 adjective /blʌnt/

blunt

Meaning
not sharp; direct and straightforward in speech
Example
Her blunt remarks offended some people.
B2 noun /blæk sneɪk/

Black Snake

Meaning
a snake with dark or black colored skin
Example
The black snake slithered through the grass.
A2 preposition /bɪˈloʊ/

below

Meaning
At a lower level or position than something else.
Example
The basement is below the ground floor.
B2 noun ˈbʌtərflaɪ ˌpɒpjəˈleɪʃən

Butterfly Population

Meaning
The total number of butterflies in a particular area or ecosystem.
Example
The butterfly population is declining due to habitat loss.
C2 noun, verb /ˈbɛvəl/

bevel

Meaning
A sloping edge or surface; to cut or shape an edge at an angle.
Example
The carpenter beveled the edges of the table.
B2 verb baɪnd

bind

Meaning
To tie, fasten, or hold together securely.
Example
This force binds quarks together.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪloʊɪŋ/

billowing

Meaning
Describing something that swells or surges outward in waves or large masses.
Example
She walked through the billowing curtains.
C1 noun/adjective/verb /bʌf/

buff

Meaning
A fan or enthusiast; also to polish or shine something.
Example
He is a movie buff who watches films every weekend.
C2 adjective /ˈbaɪ.fərˌkeɪ.tɪd/

bifurcated

Meaning
Divided into two branches or parts.
Example
The river became bifurcated as it flowed around the island.
C2 adjective /boʊˈhiːmiən/

bohemian

Meaning
unconventional, artistic, and free-spirited in lifestyle or appearance
Example
She decorated her apartment in a bohemian style with colorful fabrics.
A2 verb /ˈbɑroʊ/

borrow

Meaning
to take temporarily with intention to return; to take on loan
Example
Can I borrow your pen for a moment?
C2 noun brəˈvɑː.dəʊ

bravado

Meaning
Show of courage or confidence that is not real.
Example
His bravado masked his nervousness before the performance.
B1 verb /bʌmp/

bump

Meaning
To hit something or someone by accident; to knock against something.
Example
He accidentally bumped into the door.
B2 adjective /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/

Blazing

Meaning
burning fiercely; extremely hot; very bright
Example
The blazing sun made the day extremely hot.
B2 noun ˈbleɪzə

blazer

Meaning
A coloured jacket worn by members of a club, team, or school as part of a uniform.
Example
He looked sharp in his navy blue blazer at the event.
B2 noun /brest/

Breast

Meaning
the front surface of a person's or animal's body between the neck and the stomach
Example
The baby fell asleep on her mother's breast.
B1 adverb /ˈbraɪtli/

brightly

Meaning
in a way that gives off a lot of light; in a vivid, cheerful, or intelligent manner
Example
The stars shone brightly in the clear night sky.
B2 noun/verb /bʌk/

buck

Meaning
A male deer; also to resist or oppose strongly.
Example
The horse began to buck wildly as the rider tried to hold on.
C2 noun /ˈbʌt.ə.flaɪ piː/

Butterfly Pea

Meaning
a blue flowering plant with butterfly-shaped flowers, used to make herbal tea
Example
Butterfly pea flowers turn tea into a beautiful blue color.
C1 adjective /ˈbuːzi/

boozy

Meaning
containing or involving a lot of alcohol; slightly drunk from alcohol
Example
The party became boozy as the night went on.
B1 noun /bend/

Bend

Meaning
a curved or angled part of something; a turning point in a road or river
Example
There is a sharp bend in the river ahead.
B2 verb /ˈbjuːtɪfaɪ/

beautify

Meaning
to make something more beautiful or attractive
Example
The city plans to beautify the old park with trees and lights.
B2 noun /ˈbrʌðərhʊd/

brotherhood

Meaning
The relationship between brothers; an association of people with common interests
Example
The soldiers shared a strong sense of brotherhood.
C1 noun /ˈbɪɡətri/

bigotry

Meaning
Intolerance toward those who hold different opinions or lifestyles.
Example
Her bigotry prevented her from accepting people with different beliefs.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːr.kəˌroʊl/

barcarole

Meaning
a traditional Venetian boat song, often in 6/8 time
Example
The orchestra played a beautiful barcarole that reminded me of Venice.
B1 verb /briːð/

breathe

Meaning
To take air into the lungs and send it out again.
Example
It was hard to breathe in the smoky room.
B2 verb /bɑːrk/

bark

Meaning
to make a sharp sound like a dog; to speak angrily
Example
The dog barks at strangers.
A2 noun /belt/

Belt

Meaning
a strip of leather or cloth worn around the waist to support clothes or for decoration
Example
He tightened his belt before going for a run.
B2 noun /bleɪd/

Blade

Meaning
a sharp flat cutting edge of a knife, sword, or tool
Example
The blade of the knife needs to be sharpened.
C1 verb /bɪˈhɛd/

behead

Meaning
to cut off a person's or animal's head; to remove the leader or most important part
Example
The historical account describes how the traitor was beheaded as punishment.
B1 noun /boʊ/

Bow

Meaning
a weapon for shooting arrows, made of a curved piece of wood
Example
The archer drew his bow and aimed at the target.
C2 verb /ˈblækˌbɔːl/

blackball

Meaning
to exclude someone socially or vote against their membership in a group or club
Example
He was blackballed from the club after the controversy.
A1 noun /bæk/

Back

Meaning
the rear surface of the human body from the shoulders to the hips; the spine
Example
She hurt her back while lifting heavy boxes.
B2 noun /buːθ/

booth

Meaning
a small enclosed space or area used for a specific purpose, such as voting or selling.
Example
He went into the voting booth to cast his ballot.
A1 determiner/pronoun /boʊθ/

both

Meaning
referring to two people or things together
Example
Both of the children were excited about the trip.
A2 noun /ˈbɪznəsˌwʊmən/

businesswoman

Meaning
a woman who works in business, especially one who owns or manages a company
Example
The businesswoman expanded her company into international markets.
B2 noun /beɪ liːf/

Bay leaf

Meaning
dried aromatic leaf of the bay laurel tree used as a culinary herb
Example
Add a bay leaf to the soup for extra flavor.
C1 noun /ˈblɛm.ɪʃ/

blemish

Meaning
A small mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something.
Example
The mirror had a small blemish on the surface.
C1 adjective /bɪˈriːvd/

Bereaved

Meaning
having lost a loved one through death
Example
The bereaved family received many condolences.
A2 verb /bɪld/

build

Meaning
to make something by putting materials together; to construct
Example
They will build a new school in our neighborhood.
C2 noun /brɔːn/

brawn

Meaning
physical strength in contrast to intelligence
Example
He used his brawn to lift the heavy box.
A2 noun /ˈbʌk.ɪt/

Bucket

Meaning
a roughly cylindrical open container with a handle, used to hold and carry liquids
Example
The farmer filled the bucket with fresh water from the well.
A2 noun ˈbʌt.ən

button

Meaning
A small disk or knob sewn onto a garment, either to fasten it by being pushed through a slit made for the purpose, or for decoration.
Example
Press the button to activate the device.
C2 noun /ˌbʌkəˈnɪər/

buccaneer

Meaning
a pirate, especially one active in the Caribbean during the 17th and 18th centuries
Example
The buccaneer sailed across the Caribbean in search of treasure.
C1 noun /bəˈbuːn/

Baboon

Meaning
a large African and Arabian primate with a dog-like snout and colorful buttocks
Example
The baboon troop gathered around the watering hole in the savanna.
B2 verb /bleɪz/

blaze

Meaning
to burn brightly or powerfully
Example
The fire blazed for hours before it was brought under control.
C2 adjective /bɪˈwɪtʃɪŋ/

bewitching

Meaning
charming, enchanting, or captivating in a magical or irresistible way
Example
She wore a bewitching smile that captivated everyone in the room.