Bench
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A2 noun /bentʃ/

Bench

Meaning
a long seat for several people, typically made of wood or stone
Example
The students sat on the bench.
C1 verb /bæsk/

bask

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

bareness

Meaning
the state of being bare or uncovered; lack of decoration, warmth, or concealment
Example
The bareness of the room made it feel cold and unwelcoming.
C1 adjective /bəˈnɑːl/ or /ˈbeɪnəl/

banal

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

Blue-blood

Meaning
a person of noble birth; aristocrat
Example
She came from a family of blue-bloods with centuries of royal heritage.
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.
C2 verb /ˈbætn/

batten

Meaning
To fasten or secure something tightly.
Example
They battened down the hatches before the storm.
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.
B2 noun /ˈbɑː.li/

Barley

Meaning
a cereal grain used for food, brewing beer, and animal feed
Example
The farmer harvested barley from his fields in autumn.
A2 verb; adjective /broʊk/

broke

Meaning
past tense of break; having no money or being financially poor
Example
I broke my phone last night and now I’m completely broke.
C1 noun /beɪl/

bail

Meaning
the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, often with a financial guarantee
Example
He was granted bail after his arrest.
B2 noun /ˈbɛriəl/

burial

Meaning
the act of placing a dead body into the ground.
Example
The burial ceremony took place in the afternoon.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈbæntərɪŋ/

bantering

Meaning
characterized by good-humored teasing or joking
Example
They had a bantering conversation at the café.
A1 noun /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/

beginning

Meaning
The start or first part of something.
Example
The beginning of the story was very interesting.
C1 noun /blæk sɔːlt/

Black Salt

Meaning
a type of rock salt with a distinctive sulfuric flavor, commonly used in Indian cuisine
Example
Add a pinch of black salt to enhance the flavor of the fruit salad.
C1 noun /bʊk ˈbaɪn.dər/

Book binder

Meaning
a person whose job is to fasten the pages of books together and put covers on them
Example
The old book binder carefully restored the antique manuscript.
C1 noun /brɪm/

Brim

Meaning
the projecting edge of a hat; the edge or lip of something
Example
The wide brim of his hat protected him from the scorching sun.
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.
B2 adjective /ˌben.ɪˈfɪʃ.əl/

beneficial

Meaning
Resulting in good; favorable or advantageous.
Example
Eye rubbing can be beneficial in moderation.
A2 noun /brʌʃ/

Brush

Meaning
a tool with bristles used for cleaning, painting, or grooming
Example
I brush my teeth every morning with a soft brush.
B1 verb /bʌmp/

bump

Meaning
To hit something or someone by accident; to knock against something.
Example
He accidentally bumped into the door.
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.
B1 verb /bæn/

ban

Meaning
to officially forbid something; to prohibit
Example
The government banned smoking in public places.
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.
C2 noun /bɪˈhiː.mɒθ/

behemoth

Meaning
Something enormous, especially a large and powerful organization.
Example
The company grew into a corporate behemoth.
B2 adjective /ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkl̩/

biological

Meaning
relating to the science of biology or to life and living organisms
Example
She is studying biological sciences at university.
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.
C1 noun /bʌm/

bum

Meaning
informal term for the buttocks; also a homeless or lazy person
Example
He sat on his bum all day doing nothing.
C1 adjective ˌbjʊə.rəˈkræt.ɪk

bureaucratic

Meaning
Involving or characterized by complex rules and procedures that can delay the achievement of goals.
Example
Bureaucratic red tape often delays project approvals.
B2 noun /bætʃ/

batch

Meaning
a quantity of items produced or processed at one time
Example
She baked a fresh batch of cookies this morning.
B2 adjective /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/

Blazing

Meaning
burning fiercely; extremely hot; very bright
Example
The blazing sun made the day extremely hot.
A1 noun, verb /bʊk/

book

Meaning
A set of written, printed, or blank pages fastened together; to arrange for someone to have a seat, room, or ticket in advance.
Example
I booked a table at the restaurant for dinner.
B1 verb /ˈberi/

bury

Meaning
to put in the ground; to hide; to cover completely
Example
The dog buries its bone in the yard.
C1 noun/verb /ˈbɔɪ/ or /ˈbuːi/

buoy

Meaning
A floating marker on water; to keep something afloat or encourage someone.
Example
The news buoyed their spirits after the loss.
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.
A2 noun /bɔːrd/

board

Meaning
a flat, thin, rectangular piece of material such as wood; also a group of people managing an organization
Example
The board decided to increase the budget.
A2 adverb /ˈbæk.wərdz/

Backwards

Meaning
in the direction that is behind; in reverse order
Example
He counted backwards from ten to one.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈbruː.təl/

brutal

Meaning
extremely cruel or harsh; violent and without feeling
Example
The dictator’s rule was marked by brutal violence.
A2 noun /bɪər/

beer

Meaning
An alcoholic drink made from yeast-fermented malt flavored with hops.
Example
He ordered a glass of cold beer at the bar.
B2 noun /ˈbɛərɪŋ/

bearing

Meaning
a person's way of standing or moving; relevance or connection to something
Example
Her calm bearing impressed everyone in the room.
C1 verb/noun ˈbuːt.stræp

bootstrap

Meaning
To start and develop a business using personal resources without external funding.
Example
He bootstrapped his company with minimal resources.
C1 adjective /ˌboʊnəˈfaɪdi/

Bonafide

Meaning
genuine; authentic; legitimate
Example
She is a bonafide expert in her field.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪloʊɪŋ/

billowing

Meaning
Describing something that swells or surges outward in waves or large masses.
Example
She walked through the billowing curtains.
A2 verb /bɪˈheɪv/

behave

Meaning
to act in a particular way; to conduct oneself
Example
Children should behave well in school.
C2 verb /ˈbaʊdləˌraɪz/

bowdlerize

Meaning
to remove or modify parts of a text considered offensive or inappropriate
Example
The editor bowdlerized the novel to make it suitable for children.
C2 verb /bɪˈɡaɪl/

beguile

Meaning
to charm or enchant someone, often in a deceptive way
Example
She beguiled the audience with her storytelling.
C2 verb /bɪˈleɪ/

belay

Meaning
to secure a rope by winding it around an object; to stop or cancel an order (nautical/military use)
Example
The climber asked his partner to belay the rope tightly.
B2 adverb /bɪˈfɔːr.hænd/

Beforehand

Meaning
in advance; ahead of time; earlier
Example
We prepared everything beforehand.
A2 noun /ˈbʊkstɔːr/

bookstore

Meaning
a shop where books are sold
Example
She spent an entire afternoon browsing in the bookstore.
C1 noun /ˈblɪs.tər/

Blister

Meaning
a small bubble on the skin filled with serum and caused by friction, burning, or other damage
Example
The new shoes gave her a painful blister on her heel.
A2 noun ˈbræntʃɪz

Branches

Meaning
A part of a tree that grows out from the trunk or from a bough.
Example
Family tree branches show the relationship between family members.
C2 noun /brɔːn/

brawn

Meaning
physical strength in contrast to intelligence
Example
He used his brawn to lift the heavy box.
C1 noun /baɪl/

Bile

Meaning
a bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid that aids digestion and is secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder
Example
The liver produces bile to help digest fats.
B2 noun /ˈbɜːrdn/

burden

Meaning
a heavy load, especially one that is difficult to carry
Example
The financial burden was too heavy for him to bear.
B2 adjective /bəˈtænɪkəl/

botanical

Meaning
relating to plants or plant life
Example
She works at the botanical garden.
B1 noun /ˈbeɪsɪs/

basis

Meaning
the underlying support or foundation for an idea, argument, or process
Example
Trust is the basis of any strong relationship.
C1 adjective /bɪˈrɛft/

bereft

Meaning
Deprived of or lacking something, especially a nonmaterial asset.
Example
After the betrayal, he felt bereft of hope and trust.
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 noun ˈbaɪəʊˌsaɪd

biocide

Meaning
A chemical substance or microorganism intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, or exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism.
Example
Biocides help control pests and reduce the spread of diseases.
C2 noun /ˈbuːbi/

booby

Meaning
a foolish or gullible person; a silly individual
Example
He felt like a booby after making such a simple mistake.
A2 noun /ˈbraʊzər/

browser

Meaning
a software application for accessing information on the World Wide Web.
Example
I use a web browser to search for information online.
B2 noun, verb /bəˈfeɪ/ (noun), /ˈbʌfɪt/ (verb)

buffet

Meaning
A meal where guests serve themselves from a variety of dishes arranged on a table; also means to strike repeatedly (as a verb).
Example
We enjoyed a large buffet at the wedding reception.
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.
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.
A1 noun /boʊt/

Boat

Meaning
a small vessel for traveling over water
Example
We took a small boat to cross the river.
C1 noun /ˈbaɪ.laɪn/

byline

Meaning
A line in a newspaper or magazine article that names the writer.
Example
Her byline appeared on the front page of the newspaper.
B1 noun /bɪˈliːf/

Belief

Meaning
confidence in the truth or existence of something; trust or faith
Example
His belief in justice never wavered.
C2 noun /boʊl/

bole

Meaning
the trunk of a tree
Example
The bole of the tree was thick and strong.
C1 noun /blɒˈkeɪd/

Blockade

Meaning
an act or means of sealing off a place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving
Example
The naval blockade prevented supplies from reaching the port.
C1 noun /braɪn/

brine

Meaning
Water saturated with salt, often used for preserving food.
Example
The olives were stored in brine to keep them fresh.
C2 noun /ˌbrɪɡ.əˈdɪər/

brigadier

Meaning
A military officer rank, usually commanding a brigade.
Example
The brigadier inspected the troops before the parade.
B2 noun /broʊtʃ/

brooch

Meaning
a decorative jewelry pin that is attached to clothing
Example
She wore a beautiful silver brooch on her jacket.
B2 verb /bleɪz/

blaze

Meaning
to burn brightly or powerfully
Example
The fire blazed for hours before it was brought under control.
C1 adjective /ˈbɔɪənt/ or /ˈbuːjənt/

buoyant

Meaning
Able to float easily; cheerful and optimistic.
Example
She remained buoyant despite the difficulties.
C2 adjective /ˈbeɪnfəl/

baneful

Meaning
Causing harm, ruin, or destruction; deadly or poisonous.
Example
His baneful influence ruined the community.
C1 verb /bɪˈsiːdʒ/

besiege

Meaning
to surround a place with armed forces to capture it; to overwhelm with requests or attention
Example
The city was besieged by enemy troops.
C2 noun /ˌbenɪˈdɪkʃən/

Benediction

Meaning
a blessing, especially a ceremonial one; an expression of good wishes
Example
The priest gave his benediction to the newlyweds.
B2 noun /ˈbæk.boʊn/

Backbone

Meaning
the series of vertebrae extending from the skull to the pelvis; spine
Example
He injured his backbone in the accident.
C2 adjective /ˈbɔːdi/

bawdy

Meaning
humorously indecent or obscene, often in a sexual way
Example
The comedian’s bawdy jokes made the audience laugh and blush.
B2 noun /ˈbjʊəroʊ/

bureau

Meaning
An office or agency that provides services or manages specific duties.
Example
The travel bureau helped them plan their vacation.
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.
C1 verb /ˈbəʊl.stər/

bolster

Meaning
To support or strengthen; to prop up.
Example
The new policy aims to bolster economic growth.
C1 verb /bruːd/

brood

Meaning
to think deeply about something that makes one unhappy; also, a group of young birds hatched at the same time
Example
He sat alone, brooding over his failures.
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.
C2 noun /boʊl/

boll

Meaning
The rounded seed capsule of plants such as cotton or flax.
Example
The farmer examined the cotton boll to check its quality.
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.
C2 adjective /bɪˈnɪɡnənt/

benignant

Meaning
Kindly and benevolent in nature.
Example
The teacher’s benignant attitude made the students feel comfortable.
B1 noun /ˈboʊ.nəs/

Bonus

Meaning
an amount of money added to wages on a seasonal basis, especially as a reward for good performance
Example
She received a year-end bonus for her excellent work performance.
C2 noun /buːb/

boob

Meaning
a foolish or clumsy person; an informal and sometimes rude term for a woman's breast
Example
He felt like a complete boob after forgetting the meeting.
B2 noun /ˈbɪʃəp/

bishop

Meaning
a senior member of the Christian clergy, usually in charge of a diocese and empowered to confer holy orders.
Example
The bishop delivered a powerful sermon during Sunday service.
B1 noun /ˈbreɪs.lət/

Bracelet

Meaning
an ornamental band worn around the wrist
Example
She received a gold bracelet as a birthday gift.
A1 verb /bɪˈkʌm/

become

Meaning
to grow to be; to come to be
Example
She became a doctor after years of study.
C2 noun /ˈbʌt.ər fɪʃ/

Butter-fish

Meaning
a small, smooth-skinned marine fish
Example
The butter-fish is popular in Bengali cuisine.
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.
C1 verb /bʌdʒ/

budge

Meaning
To move slightly; to change one’s opinion or position.
Example
Despite the pressure, he refused to budge from his decision.
C2 noun /ˈbækənæl/

bacchanal

Meaning
A noisy party involving drinking and revelry.
Example
The festival turned into a wild bacchanal by midnight.
B2 verb /buːst/

boost

Meaning
To increase, improve, or raise something.
Example
The company launched a campaign to boost sales.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌlbəs/

bulbous

Meaning
Bulging, round, or swollen in shape; resembling a bulb.
Example
The frog had a bulbous nose and big eyes.
B2 adjective /bɪˈkʌmɪŋ/

becoming

Meaning
attractive, suitable, or flattering to the wearer or situation
Example
That dress is very becoming on her.
B2 noun/verb /ˈbrækɪt/

bracket

Meaning
A support attached to a wall for holding something; also, to group things together.
Example
The shelf was held up by a strong metal bracket.
C1 verb /brɔɪl/

broil

Meaning
To cook food by direct heat, usually under a grill or over a fire.
Example
She broiled the chicken until it was golden brown.
C1 adjective /bɪˈnaɪn/

benign

Meaning
Gentle, kind, or not harmful (especially of a disease or tumor).
Example
The doctor assured her that the tumor was benign.
C2 verb /bɪlk/

bilk

Meaning
To cheat or defraud someone of money or rights.
Example
The scammer tried to bilk elderly people out of their savings.
C1 noun /ˈbʌrə, ˈbʊrə/

borough

Meaning
A town, district, or administrative division, especially one with its own local government.
Example
Brooklyn is a borough of New York City.
A1 noun, verb /baɪk/

bike

Meaning
a bicycle or motorcycle; to ride a bicycle
Example
He biked to school every day.
C1 verb /ˈbɪkər/

bicker

Meaning
To argue or quarrel about trivial matters.
Example
The children began to bicker over the last piece of cake.
A2 verb /bɛɡ/

beg

Meaning
to ask for something earnestly; to request humbly
Example
The child begged for a new toy.
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.
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 adjective /ˈbær.ən/

Barren

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

banner

Meaning
a large printed sign used for advertisements or announcements
Example
The company displayed a banner to advertise their new product.
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.
B2 adjective /bliːk/

bleak

Meaning
cold, miserable, or without hope
Example
The future seemed bleak after the economic downturn.
A1 verb /bʌt/

but

Meaning
to hit or push with the head or horns; to strike forcefully
Example
The goat butted against the fence.
C1 adjective /bɪˈleɪtɪd/

belated

Meaning
coming or happening later than expected or usual
Example
She sent me a belated birthday card.
C1 adjective /bəˈzɜːrk/

berserk

Meaning
Out of control with anger or excitement; wild or frenzied.
Example
The fans went berserk when their team won the championship.
B2 adjective /ˈbʌmpi/

Bumpy

Meaning
having an uneven surface; rough; jolting
Example
The bumpy road made the car ride very uncomfortable.
C1 verb, noun /ˈbrɪsəl/

bristle

Meaning
to react angrily or defensively; a short stiff hair or fiber
Example
The cat bristled when it saw the dog.
A1 preposition /baɪ/

by

Meaning
indicating the agent performing an action, or the means of achieving something
Example
The book was written by a famous author.
C2 noun /ˈbloʊˌhɑrd/

blowhard

Meaning
a person who brags a lot or talks in a boastful way
Example
Everyone avoided the blowhard at the party because he wouldn't stop bragging.