Bedlam
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C2 noun /ˈbed.ləm/

Bedlam

Meaning
a scene of noisy confusion; chaos and disorder
Example
The classroom was complete bedlam after the fire alarm.
C2 noun /ˌbrɪɡ.əˈdɪər/

brigadier

Meaning
A military officer rank, usually commanding a brigade.
Example
The brigadier inspected the troops before the parade.
C1 noun /blaɪt/

blight

Meaning
A disease or condition that causes plants to wither; something that spoils or damages.
Example
The drought was a blight on the farmer’s crops.
C1 noun /bɑːrb/

barb

Meaning
a sharp projection such as on a fishhook; a cutting remark
Example
The fishhook has a small barb to keep the fish from escaping.
B2 noun /ˈbælət/

ballot

Meaning
a process of voting, usually in secret; the paper used to record a vote
Example
Voters cast their ballot in the election.
C2 noun /bɪsk/

bisque

Meaning
A rich, creamy soup made from shellfish.
Example
We ordered lobster bisque at the restaurant.
C1 noun /bɒmˈbɑːrdmənt/

bombardment

Meaning
a continuous attack with bombs or other projectiles
Example
The city endured a heavy bombardment during the war.
B1 noun /ˈblen.dər/

Blender

Meaning
an electric kitchen appliance used to mix, purée, or emulsify food and liquids
Example
She used the blender to make a delicious smoothie.
C1 verb /bɪˈɡrʌdʒ/

begrudge

Meaning
to resent someone for having something; to give reluctantly
Example
She did not begrudge him his success.
C1 verb /ˈbædʒər/

badger

Meaning
To repeatedly ask or annoy someone with demands or questions.
Example
The reporter kept badgering the politician with questions.
A1 noun /bɔːl/

ball

Meaning
a round object used in games or sports
Example
The children played with a ball in the park.
B2 verb /breɪd/

braid

Meaning
to weave together strands of hair or material
Example
She braided her hair before going to school.
C2 adjective /bɪˈsɒtɪd/

besotted

Meaning
strongly infatuated or obsessed with someone or something
Example
He was completely besotted with her charm.
A2 noun /bel/

Bell

Meaning
a hollow metal device that makes a ringing sound when struck
Example
The church bell rang at noon.
A1 verb /biː/

be

Meaning
To exist, to occur, or to have a particular quality.
Example
She wants to be a doctor.
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.
B2 adjective /bliːk/

bleak

Meaning
cold, miserable, or without hope
Example
The future seemed bleak after the economic downturn.
C2 noun /ˈbeɪlɔːr/

bailor

Meaning
a person who temporarily transfers possession of goods or property to another under a bailment agreement
Example
The bailor entrusted the valuable artwork to the museum for safekeeping.
B1 noun ˈbaʊndəri

boundary

Meaning
A line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line.
Example
The river marks the boundary.
C2 noun /ˈbɔːl.səm ˈæp.əl/

Balsam apple

Meaning
a bitter gourd vegetable with a bumpy green skin, also known as bitter melon
Example
Balsam apple is cooked with spices to reduce its bitter taste.
B2 noun /broʊtʃ/

brooch

Meaning
a decorative jewelry pin that is attached to clothing
Example
She wore a beautiful silver brooch on her jacket.
C2 verb /biˈætɪfaɪ/

beatify

Meaning
to make blessed or holy, especially in the Roman Catholic Church, to declare a deceased person to be among the blessed
Example
The pope decided to beatify the martyr for his faith and sacrifice.
B2 adjective /ˈbruː.təl/

brutal

Meaning
extremely cruel or harsh; violent and without feeling
Example
The dictator’s rule was marked by brutal violence.
C2 noun /bəˈfuːnəri/

buffoonery

Meaning
Foolish or ridiculous behavior intended to amuse.
Example
His constant buffoonery irritated the serious audience.
B2 noun /ˈbʌn.dəl/

Bundle

Meaning
a collection of things or quantity of material tied or wrapped up together
Example
The mailman delivered a bundle of letters to our house.
A2 preposition /bɪˈsaɪd/

beside

Meaning
next to or at the side of someone or something
Example
She sat beside her best friend during the ceremony.
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.
B2 noun /ˈbroʊ.kər/

Broker

Meaning
a person who buys and sells goods or assets for others; an intermediary
Example
The stock broker helped me invest my money wisely.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪliəs/

bilious

Meaning
Relating to bile or an ill-tempered, irritable disposition.
Example
He became bilious after hearing the unfair criticism.
B2 noun /beɪs/

bass

Meaning
the lowest adult male singing voice; also, low-frequency sounds in music or a type of fish
Example
He played the bass guitar at the concert.
C2 noun /bəˈθɪm.ə.tri/

bathymetry

Meaning
The measurement of depth of water in oceans, seas, or lakes.
Example
Bathymetry is essential for understanding oceanic topography.
A2 noun /ˈbɪs.kɪt/

Biscuit

Meaning
a small, hard, dry cake; a cookie
Example
Children love to eat chocolate biscuits with milk.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːrbərɪzəm/

Barbarism

Meaning
extreme cruelty or brutality; absence of culture and civilization
Example
The barbarism of the war crimes shocked the entire international community.
B2 adjective /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/

Blazing

Meaning
burning fiercely; extremely hot; very bright
Example
The blazing sun made the day extremely hot.
C2 noun /bəˈlɛəroʊ/

bolero

Meaning
A Spanish dance in slow triple time, or a short jacket open at the front.
Example
The dancers performed a passionate bolero at the festival.
C2 verb /bɪˈlaɪ/

belie

Meaning
To give a false impression of something; to contradict.
Example
His calm face belied his inner anxiety.
C2 adjective /bəˈθɛt.ɪk/

bathetic

Meaning
displaying insincere or trivial emotion; producing an unintended ridiculous effect through sudden change from serious to silly
Example
The movie's ending was unintentionally bathetic rather than tragic.
B1 noun /bɪˈheɪvjər/

behavior

Meaning
The way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others.
Example
The teacher praised her good behavior in class.
C2 noun /ˈbɪvuˌæk/

bivouac

Meaning
a temporary camp without tents or cover, usually used by soldiers or mountaineers
Example
The climbers set up a bivouac on the mountainside.
A1 noun /bæɡ/

bag

Meaning
a container made of flexible material, used for carrying items
Example
She carried her books in a bag.
C2 verb /ˈbeɪɪŋ/

baying

Meaning
making a loud, prolonged barking or howling sound, especially of dogs
Example
The baying of the hounds echoed through the forest.
C1 noun /ˈbaɪ.lɔː/

by-law

Meaning
A rule made by a company, organization, or local authority to control the actions of its members.
Example
The city council passed a new by-law regulating street vendors.
C2 noun /bɪˈnɪɡnɪti/

Benignity

Meaning
kindness; gentleness; the quality of being benign or gracious
Example
Her benignity towards all people made her beloved by everyone.
B1 noun /bʌɡ/

Bug

Meaning
a small insect; a defect in a computer program
Example
I found a bug crawling on my bed sheets.
C1 adjective bəˈnev.əl.ənt

benevolent

Meaning
Kind, generous, showing goodwill and kindness.
Example
His benevolent nature made him beloved.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪtɪˌsɪzəm/

briticism

Meaning
a word, phrase, or characteristic feature of British English
Example
The word 'lorry' is a well-known Briticism.
C1 adjective /bɪˈriːvd/

Bereaved

Meaning
having lost a loved one through death
Example
The bereaved family received many condolences.
C1 adjective /ˈbeɪs.ləs/

Baseless

Meaning
without foundation; groundless; unfounded
Example
The accusations against him were completely baseless.
B2 noun /ˈbʌf.ə.loʊ/

Buffalo

Meaning
a large wild ox with heavy horns; American bison
Example
The buffalo grazed peacefully in the meadow.
C2 verb /bɪˈfɪt/

befit

Meaning
to be suitable for; to be appropriate to
Example
Formal attire befits the seriousness of the occasion.
C2 noun /bɪˈhiː.mɒθ/

behemoth

Meaning
Something enormous, especially a large and powerful organization.
Example
The company grew into a corporate behemoth.
C2 adjective /ˈbuːtləs/

bootless

Meaning
Useless or futile; of no benefit.
Example
His bootless attempt to fix the machine only wasted time.
C1 noun /baʊt/

Bout

Meaning
a short period of intense activity of a specified kind; a wrestling or boxing match
Example
After a bout of illness, she finally recovered and returned to work.
B1 noun /beɪkt miːt/

Baked meat

Meaning
meat that has been cooked in an oven using dry heat
Example
The baked meat was tender and flavorful.
B2 noun ˈbentʃ.mɑːk

benchmark

Meaning
A standard or point of reference against which things may be compared or assessed.
Example
Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City sets a benchmark in sustainability.
A1 noun /ˈbrek.fəst/

Breakfast

Meaning
the first meal of the day, usually eaten in the morning
Example
I had cereal and toast for breakfast this morning.
C2 noun /ˌbɒmbərˈdɪər/

bombardier

Meaning
a member of a bomber crew responsible for releasing bombs
Example
The bombardier released the bombs with precision.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈbʊrʒ.wɑː/

bourgeois

Meaning
Relating to the middle class, often with materialistic values or conventional attitudes.
Example
The novel criticizes the bourgeois lifestyle of the city dwellers.
B2 noun/verb /beɪt/

bait

Meaning
Food or lure used to attract fish or animals; to deliberately provoke or annoy.
Example
He used worms as bait to catch fish.
C1 verb /ˈbɛkən/

beckon

Meaning
to signal or call someone to come closer, often with a gesture; to attract or invite
Example
She beckoned him to come closer with a wave of her hand.
B2 noun /biːt/

Beet

Meaning
a plant with a round dark red root that is eaten as a vegetable
Example
Roasted beet with goat cheese makes a delicious salad.
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 noun /ˈbeɪleɪ/

Bele

Meaning
a type of freshwater fish found in South Asian rivers, known for its distinctive appearance
Example
The bele fish is commonly caught in the rivers of Bangladesh.
A2 noun /ˈbʌtərflaɪ/

butterfly

Meaning
an insect with large, often brightly colored wings that flies during the day
Example
A beautiful butterfly landed on the flower.
C2 noun /ˈbælæst/

ballast

Meaning
heavy material used to stabilize a ship or vehicle
Example
The ship was loaded with ballast to remain steady in the storm.
C1 adjective /bəˈnɑːl/ or /ˈbeɪnəl/

banal

Meaning
Lacking originality; boringly obvious and commonplace.
Example
His speech was full of banal clichés.
C2 noun /ˈbɒnəmi/

bonhomie

Meaning
Cheerful friendliness and geniality.
Example
The meeting was filled with laughter and bonhomie.
B2 verb/noun /buː/

boo

Meaning
To show disapproval by shouting 'boo'; or a sound made to surprise or scare.
Example
The audience began to boo the bad performance.
B2 noun ˈbaɪ.əs

bias

Meaning
Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.
Example
The judge must remain free from bias.
C2 adjective /bɒmˈbæstɪk/

bombastic

Meaning
using pompous or inflated language with little meaning
Example
The professor’s bombastic lecture impressed no one.
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.
B2 noun /baɪˈɒɡrəfi/

Biography

Meaning
an account of someone's life written by someone else; the story of a person's life
Example
I'm reading a fascinating biography of Albert Einstein.
C2 noun /ˈbuːt.leɪs/

Boot-lace

Meaning
a cord or string used to fasten a boot or shoe
Example
I need to tie my boot-lace before going for a walk.
B2 verb /briːd/

breed

Meaning
to produce young animals; to reproduce; to keep animals for producing young
Example
They breed horses on their farm.
C1 noun /bɪz/

Biz

Meaning
business (informal); commercial enterprise or activity
Example
He's been in the restaurant biz for twenty years.
B2 verb /bræɡ/

brag

Meaning
to talk proudly about oneself or one's achievements in an annoying way
Example
He always brags about his expensive car.
C2 noun /blæk biː/

Black-bee

Meaning
a large dark-colored bee that makes a loud buzzing sound
Example
The black-bee was buzzing around the flowers in the garden.
B1 noun /braɪd/

Bride

Meaning
a woman on her wedding day or just before and after the event
Example
The beautiful bride walked down the aisle in her white wedding dress.
C1 adjective /ˈbær.ən/

Barren

Meaning
sterile; unable to produce; desolate; unproductive
Example
The barren desert stretched for miles without any vegetation.
B2 noun /buːˈtiːk/

boutique

Meaning
a small shop that sells fashionable clothes or accessories
Example
She bought a beautiful dress from a boutique downtown.
C2 verb /ˈbaɪfərˌkeɪt/

bifurcate

Meaning
to divide into two branches or parts
Example
The road bifurcates into two separate paths at the hill.
B2 noun, verb /ˈbʌŋkər/

bunker

Meaning
a reinforced underground shelter; to place or store something in a protected place
Example
They hid in a bunker during the air raid.
C2 verb /bɪˈleɪbər/

belabor

Meaning
to argue or elaborate on a subject in excessive detail; to attack verbally or physically
Example
The professor belabored the point until the students grew restless.
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 /bɪˈhoʊld/

behold

Meaning
to see or observe something, especially something remarkable or impressive
Example
She stood quietly to behold the sunrise over the hills.
B1 noun /ˈbeɪ.kɪŋ ˈpaʊ.dər/

Baking Powder

Meaning
a dry chemical leavening agent used to increase volume and lighten texture in baked goods
Example
The recipe calls for two teaspoons of baking powder.
C1 noun /ˈbæs.ti.ən/

bastion

Meaning
a stronghold or fortification; a place or institution strongly defending particular principles
Example
The castle stood as a bastion against enemy attacks.
B2 verb /bɪˈtreɪ/

betray

Meaning
to be disloyal to; to reveal secrets
Example
He felt betrayed by his closest friend.
A2 verb /bæt/

bat

Meaning
to hit with a bat; to flutter eyelids
Example
She bats her eyelashes flirtatiously.
C2 adjective /ˈbeɪlfəl/

baleful

Meaning
Threatening harm; menacing or expressing hatred.
Example
She gave him a baleful look after the insult.
C2 noun /ˈbʌt.ər fɪʃ/

Butter-fish

Meaning
a small, smooth-skinned marine fish
Example
The butter-fish is popular in Bengali cuisine.
B2 noun /ˈbæŋ.ɡəl/

Bangle

Meaning
a rigid bracelet or anklet worn as jewelry
Example
She wore beautiful gold bangles on her wrists.
C2 noun /bjuːt/

butte

Meaning
an isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top, common in arid regions
Example
The travelers could see a tall butte rising in the desert.
C2 noun /bɛl/

belle

Meaning
A beautiful woman, especially the most attractive woman at a gathering.
Example
She was the belle of the ball that evening.
C1 adjective /bəˈlɪdʒ.ər.ənt/

belligerent

Meaning
Hostile and aggressive, ready to fight or argue.
Example
His belligerent attitude often leads to conflicts.
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.
C2 noun /ˈblʌfər/

bluffer

Meaning
a person who pretends to be more confident, skilled, or knowledgeable than they really are; someone who deceives others by bluffing
Example
Everyone eventually realized that he was just a bluffer with no real experience.
A1 adjective /bluː/

Blue

Meaning
having the color of the clear sky or the sea
Example
The blue ocean stretched endlessly to the horizon.
C1 verb /bɔːk/

balk

Meaning
to hesitate or refuse to proceed or comply
Example
She balked at signing the contract without reading it fully.
A2 verb /bɛr/

bear

Meaning
to carry; to endure; to give birth to; to support
Example
She cannot bear the pain anymore.
C2 verb /bɪˈtəʊkən/

betoken

Meaning
to be a sign or indication of something
Example
Dark clouds betoken an approaching storm.
B1 verb /beɪð/

bathe

Meaning
to wash oneself; to clean the body with water
Example
I bathe every morning before going to work.
C2 noun /ˈbræɡərt/

braggart

Meaning
a person who boasts about achievements or possessions
Example
No one liked him because he was such a braggart.
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.
C1 verb /bæsk/

bask

Meaning
to lie in warmth and light; to enjoy something pleasurable
Example
The cat basks in the sunny window.
C1 verb /ˈbɪkər/

bicker

Meaning
To argue or quarrel about trivial matters.
Example
The children began to bicker over the last piece of cake.
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.
C1 verb /ˈbruːtəlaɪz/

brutalize

Meaning
to treat someone with extreme violence or cruelty; to make something harsh or cruel
Example
The regime was accused of brutalizing innocent civilians.
B1 noun /ˈbæŋkər/

banker

Meaning
a person who works in or manages a bank
Example
The banker approved the loan after reviewing the documents.
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 verb /bɔːl/

bawl

Meaning
to shout or cry loudly
Example
The baby bawled all night, keeping everyone awake.
C2 adjective /ˈbrætɪʃ/

brattish

Meaning
acting like a spoiled child; behaving in an annoying, self-centered way
Example
The brattish boy threw a tantrum when he didn’t get his toy.
C2 verb /beɪst/

baste

Meaning
to pour or brush melted fat, juices, or liquid over meat during cooking to keep it moist
Example
She basted the turkey every 30 minutes to keep it juicy.
C1 noun /ˈbrɛvɪti/

brevity

Meaning
Concise and exact use of words in writing or speech.
Example
The brevity of the speech kept the audience engaged.
C2 adjective /beɪˈkoʊniən/

baconian

Meaning
Relating to the philosopher Francis Bacon or his method of scientific reasoning.
Example
The researcher followed a Baconian approach to observation and experimentation.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪloʊɪŋ/

billowing

Meaning
Describing something that swells or surges outward in waves or large masses.
Example
She walked through the billowing curtains.
C2 adjective /blaɪð/

blithe

Meaning
Showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered improper or carefree happiness.
Example
She had a blithe disregard for the rules.
C2 adjective /bɪˈhoʊldən/

beholden

Meaning
indebted or obliged to someone for a service or help
Example
He felt beholden to his mentor for all the guidance.
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.
C2 verb /bɪˈtaɪd/

betide

Meaning
to happen or occur, usually of something that befalls someone
Example
Woe betide anyone who breaks the rules.
B2 noun /bɪˈtreɪəl/

Betrayal

Meaning
the action of betraying one's country, group, or person; disloyalty
Example
His betrayal of their friendship hurt her deeply.