biodegradable
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B2 adjective /ˌbaɪəʊdɪˈɡreɪdəbl/

biodegradable

Meaning
Capable of being decomposed by natural biological processes, typically by bacteria or other living organisms, without causing harm to the environment.
Example
Biodegradable materials break down naturally without harming the environment.
C1 verb /ˈbɑːrtər/

barter

Meaning
To exchange goods or services without using money.
Example
They bartered their crops for handmade tools.
B2 verb /bleɪz/

blaze

Meaning
to burn brightly or powerfully
Example
The fire blazed for hours before it was brought under control.
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.
B1 adjective /bɔɪld/

Boiled

Meaning
cooked in boiling water
Example
She served boiled eggs for breakfast.
C2 verb /bɪˈmjuːz/

bemuse

Meaning
To confuse or puzzle someone.
Example
The complex instructions bemused the new employees.
B1 noun /baɪˈɒlədʒi/

biology

Meaning
The scientific study of living organisms.
Example
Biology explains how plants and animals function.
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 /bɪˈfɪt/

befit

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

Breeze

Meaning
a gentle wind; something that is achieved with ease
Example
The cool ocean breeze made the hot summer day more pleasant.
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 /ˈbækˌsaɪd/

backside

Meaning
the rear part or surface of something; informal term for the buttocks
Example
The kids slid down the hill on their backside.
C2 noun /ˈboʊsən/

boatswain

Meaning
a ship's officer in charge of equipment and the crew
Example
The boatswain supervised the sailors on deck.
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.
A2 verb /bleɪm/

blame

Meaning
to hold responsible for a fault; to find fault with
Example
Don't blame me for the mistake.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈbaɪ.ɡɒn/

bygone

Meaning
Something belonging to an earlier time; past and no longer existing.
Example
He often talks about the traditions of bygone days.
C2 verb /bɪˈdɔːb/

bedaub

Meaning
to smear or cover with a sticky or dirty substance
Example
The children bedaubed the wall with paint.
B1 verb /ˈbɔːrdɪŋ/

boarding

Meaning
Getting on or into a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.
Example
The explorers were boarding the ship at the port.
C2 adjective /bruːsk/ or /brʌsk/

brusque

Meaning
abrupt or blunt in manner or speech, often seen as rude
Example
His brusque reply ended the conversation.
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 verb /baɪt/

bite

Meaning
to cut with teeth; to have a sharp effect
Example
The dog might bite if it feels threatened.
C2 verb /ˈbɒtənaɪz/

botanize

Meaning
to study plants in their natural environment
Example
They went to the forest to botanize during their vacation.
A1 noun /breɪk/

break

Meaning
A pause in work or during an activity or event.
Example
Short breaks refresh your mind.
B2 noun /ˈbɒdiɡɑːrd/

bodyguard

Meaning
a person employed to protect someone from harm
Example
The celebrity arrived with her bodyguard.
C2 noun /bɑːrd/

bard

Meaning
a poet, traditionally one reciting epics and associated with oral traditions
Example
Shakespeare is often called the Bard of Avon.
C2 noun /ˈbʊlwərk/

bulwark

Meaning
A strong wall or defensive structure; something that provides protection or support.
Example
The fortress walls served as a bulwark against enemy attacks.
B1 noun /bɪˈheɪ.vjər/

Behaviour

Meaning
the way a person or animal acts or conducts themselves
Example
His behaviour at the meeting was very professional.
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 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.
B2 noun /ˈbɪtərnəs/

Bitterness

Meaning
anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly; resentment; a sharp, unpleasant taste
Example
She spoke with bitterness about her former employer.
C2 verb /ˈbætn/

batten

Meaning
To fasten or secure something tightly.
Example
They battened down the hatches before the storm.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌlbəs/

bulbous

Meaning
Bulging, round, or swollen in shape; resembling a bulb.
Example
The frog had a bulbous nose and big eyes.
A2 noun /boʊl/

Bowl

Meaning
a round, deep dish or basin used for food or liquid
Example
She served the soup in a large ceramic bowl.
C1 noun /bɪˈtreɪər/

Betrayer

Meaning
a person who betrays someone or something; one who is disloyal
Example
The betrayer was exposed and faced severe consequences.
C2 verb /ˈbæstərdaɪz/

bastardize

Meaning
to corrupt or debase something by altering it from its original form; to change in a way that reduces quality or purity
Example
Critics argue that the remake bastardized the original novel.
C1 adjective /bəˈnɑːl/ or /ˈbeɪnəl/

banal

Meaning
Lacking originality; boringly obvious and commonplace.
Example
His speech was full of banal clichés.
C2 adjective /ˈbaɪ.fərˌkeɪ.tɪd/

bifurcated

Meaning
Divided into two branches or parts.
Example
The river became bifurcated as it flowed around the island.
C1 noun /ˈbæləd/

ballad

Meaning
a narrative song or poem, often sentimental or romantic
Example
The singer performed a moving ballad about lost love.
B2 noun /ˈbæŋkrʌptsi/

bankruptcy

Meaning
the state of being unable to pay debts owed, declared by a legal process
Example
The company declared bankruptcy after months of financial struggles.
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.
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 ˈbænd.wɪdθ

bandwidth

Meaning
A range of frequencies within a given band, in particular that used for transmitting a signal; the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time.
Example
Increasing bandwidth enhances internet speed.
B2 noun /ˈbev.ər.ɪdʒ/

Beverage

Meaning
a drink, especially one other than water
Example
Would you like a hot or cold beverage with your meal?
C2 verb /bɪˈfuːl/

befool

Meaning
to deceive or trick someone into believing something false; to make someone appear foolish
Example
The scammer tried to befool innocent people with fake promises.
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 adjective /ˈbʊkɪʃ/

Bookish

Meaning
studious; scholarly; devoted to reading and studying
Example
She was known for her bookish nature and love of literature.
C1 noun /ˈbed sted/

Bed stead

Meaning
the framework of a bed; a bed frame without bedding
Example
The wooden bed stead was very sturdy.
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.
C2 verb /bɪˈsiːtʃ/

beseech

Meaning
To ask someone urgently and fervently to do something; to beg.
Example
He beseeched the judge for mercy.
C2 noun /ˈbɒmbæst/

bombast

Meaning
speech or writing that is overly pompous and inflated
Example
His campaign speech was full of bombast but lacked real substance.
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.
C2 noun /ˈbriːzˌweɪ/

breezeway

Meaning
A roofed outdoor passage, often connecting two buildings.
Example
The breezeway connected the house to the garage.
C1 verb /ˈbæbəl/

babble

Meaning
to talk rapidly and continuously in a foolish way
Example
The baby babbles all day long.
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.
C1 noun /ˈbænɪstər/

banister

Meaning
a railing supported by posts at the side of a staircase or balcony
Example
She held the banister tightly while going down the stairs.
C1 verb /ˈbəʊl.stər/

bolster

Meaning
To support or strengthen; to prop up.
Example
The new policy aims to bolster economic growth.
B2 adjective /ˈbʌmpi/

Bumpy

Meaning
having an uneven surface; rough; jolting
Example
The bumpy road made the car ride very uncomfortable.
B1 phrase bɛst ˈɛf.ərt

best effort

Meaning
The maximum amount of effort or energy that someone can give.
Example
He gave his best effort to complete the task on time.
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.
B2 verb /bɑːrk/

bark

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

Bill

Meaning
the beak of a bird, especially when it is broad and flat
Example
The duck used its bill to filter food from the water.
C1 noun /ˈbɔɪənsi/ or /ˈbuːjənsi/

buoyancy

Meaning
The ability to float in a liquid; cheerfulness and optimism.
Example
Her natural buoyancy lifted the mood of the group.
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.
C1 noun /brʌnt/

brunt

Meaning
the worst part or main impact of something unpleasant
Example
The small town bore the brunt of the storm.
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.
C2 noun /bʊr/

Boor

Meaning
a rough and bad-mannered person; someone who lacks refinement or culture
Example
The wealthy businessman was actually a boor who showed no respect for others.
C2 adjective /ˈbeɪnfəl/

baneful

Meaning
Causing harm, ruin, or destruction; deadly or poisonous.
Example
His baneful influence ruined the community.
B2 adjective /beər/

Bare

Meaning
naked; uncovered; empty; minimal
Example
The bare walls of the room needed some decoration.
C1 noun /ˈbeɪsbɔːrd/

baseboard

Meaning
A narrow board running along the bottom of an interior wall, covering the joint between wall and floor.
Example
The carpenter painted the baseboard white.
C2 noun /ˈbʌɡəˌbuː/

bugaboo

Meaning
An object of fear or worry; an imagined cause of anxiety.
Example
The threat of inflation became a political bugaboo.
C1 verb /bɔːk/

balk

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

beg

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

bewitch

Meaning
to enchant or fascinate someone as if by magic
Example
The dancer's performance bewitched the audience.
C2 noun /ˈbɛnɪfɪs/

benefice

Meaning
a permanent church appointment for which property and income are provided
Example
The bishop appointed him to a wealthy benefice.
B1 noun, verb /bʌz/

buzz

Meaning
to make a low continuous humming sound; a feeling of excitement or interest
Example
I could hear the phone buzz during the meeting.
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.
C1 noun /ˈblʌd.ʃed/

Bloodshed

Meaning
the killing or wounding of people, typically in large numbers during a conflict
Example
The peace treaty was signed to prevent further bloodshed.
C2 noun /ˈbɒnəmi/

bonhomie

Meaning
Cheerful friendliness and geniality.
Example
The meeting was filled with laughter and bonhomie.
C1 noun /brəˈzɪər/

Brassiere

Meaning
a woman's undergarment designed to support the breasts
Example
She bought a comfortable brassiere for daily wear.
C2 noun /ˌbuː.ɡənˈvɪl.i.ə/

Bougainvillea

Meaning
a tropical climbing plant with colorful bracts surrounding small flowers
Example
The bougainvillea climbing over the garden wall creates a beautiful purple display.
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.
B2 noun /ˈbʌf.ə.loʊ/

Buffalo

Meaning
a large wild ox with heavy horns; American bison
Example
The buffalo grazed peacefully in the meadow.
B1 noun /ˈbeɪs.mənt/

Basement

Meaning
the lowest floor of a building, typically below ground level
Example
We store old furniture in the basement.
C2 adjective /ˈbeɪlfəl/

baleful

Meaning
Threatening harm; menacing or expressing hatred.
Example
She gave him a baleful look after the insult.
B2 noun /boʊst/

Boast

Meaning
an act of talking with excessive pride about one's achievements
Example
His constant boast about his wealth annoyed everyone.
A1 verb /biː/

be

Meaning
To exist, to occur, or to have a particular quality.
Example
She wants to be a doctor.
C2 adjective /ˈbɔːlki/

balky

Meaning
difficult, uncooperative, or stubborn
Example
The balky printer refused to work when needed most.
C2 verb, noun /blæb/

blab

Meaning
to talk too much or reveal secrets carelessly; excessive or foolish talk
Example
He accidentally blabbed the surprise to everyone.
A1 noun /ˈbrʌðər/

brother

Meaning
a male sibling
Example
My brother is two years older than me.
B2 noun /ˈbækɪŋ/

Backing

Meaning
help or support; financial or material support
Example
The project received backing from several major investors.
B1 noun /bʊl/

bull

Meaning
a male animal of the cattle family; sometimes refers to a strong or aggressive man
Example
The bull charged across the field towards the red flag.
B1 verb /ˈberi/

bury

Meaning
to put in the ground; to hide; to cover completely
Example
The dog buries its bone in the yard.
C2 noun /beɪz/

baize

Meaning
A type of coarse woolen cloth, often green, used for covering tables such as billiard tables.
Example
The old card table was covered with worn baize.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌsti/

busty

Meaning
having a large or full bust; describing a woman with a prominent chest
Example
The actress was often described as busty in fashion magazines.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪk.bæt/

Brickbat

Meaning
a piece of brick, especially one used as a missile; harsh criticism or censure
Example
The angry protesters threw brickbats at the building windows.
B2 adjective /bɪˈheɪvjərəl/

behavioral

Meaning
relating to the way a person or animal acts
Example
The psychologist studied the child's behavioral patterns.
A2 verb /bet/

bet

Meaning
to risk money on the outcome of something; to be confident
Example
I bet it will rain tomorrow.
B1 noun /bɔɪl/

Boil

Meaning
a painful, pus-filled bump under the skin caused by infected hair follicles
Example
The painful boil on his neck required medical treatment.
B1 adverb /ˈbeɪsɪkli/

basically

Meaning
in the most important or fundamental way; essentially
Example
Basically, the project was a success despite some small issues.
A2 noun /bɑːθ/

Bath

Meaning
the act of washing one's body; a container for bathing
Example
I take a hot bath every evening.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪbjələs/

bibulous

Meaning
Excessively fond of drinking alcohol.
Example
His bibulous habits worried his family.
B1 noun /ˈbreɪs.lət/

Bracelet

Meaning
an ornamental band worn around the wrist
Example
She received a gold bracelet as a birthday gift.
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.
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.
B1 noun /bɑːm/

Bomb

Meaning
an explosive device designed to cause damage or destruction
Example
The bomb disposal unit carefully defused the explosive device.
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.
C2 noun /ˌbædɪˈnɑːʒ/

badinage

Meaning
Playful and humorous conversation; banter.
Example
The friends enjoyed a light badinage over coffee.
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.
B2 adjective /blʌnt/

blunt

Meaning
not sharp; direct and straightforward in speech
Example
Her blunt remarks offended some people.
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 /ˈbɪloʊ/

billow

Meaning
To swell or rise in large waves or surges; to flow outward in a rolling motion.
Example
Smoke billowed from the burning building.
C1 verb /blɛər/

blare

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

bounce

Meaning
to spring back after hitting something; to rebound.
Example
The ball bounced off the wall and hit the window.
B2 adjective /ˌbaɪˈlɪŋɡwəl/

bilingual

Meaning
Able to speak two languages fluently.
Example
She grew up in a bilingual household speaking both English and Spanish.
C1 noun /bəˈrɑːʒ/

barrage

Meaning
a concentrated outpouring of questions, criticisms, or blows; a rapid, continuous attack
Example
The politician faced a barrage of tough questions from reporters.
B2 adjective /bliːk/

bleak

Meaning
cold, miserable, or without hope
Example
The future seemed bleak after the economic downturn.
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.
A2 adverb /bɪˈjɒnd/

Beyond

Meaning
further away than; exceeding; more than
Example
The mountains stretched beyond the horizon.
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.