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B2 adjective /blænd/

bland

Meaning
lacking strong features, flavor, or character; dull or uninteresting
Example
The soup was too bland for my taste.
A2 noun, verb /bræntʃ/

branch

Meaning
A part of a tree that grows out from the trunk; a division of an organization or subject.
Example
The company opened a new branch in Dhaka.
C1 noun /ˈbenɪˌfæktər/

Benefactor

Meaning
a person who gives money or other help to support a person or cause; a patron
Example
The anonymous benefactor donated millions to the hospital.
B1 noun /ˈbɔr.dər/

Border

Meaning
a line separating two political or geographical areas, especially countries
Example
They crossed the border between France and Spain by train.
C1 noun, verb /buːz/

booze

Meaning
alcoholic drink, especially strong liquor; to drink alcohol, often excessively
Example
They bought some booze for the party.
C2 noun /ˌbeɪt ˈnwɑːr/

bete noire

Meaning
A person or thing that one particularly dislikes or fears.
Example
Grammar has always been his bete noire.
A1 noun /ˈbeɪbi/

baby

Meaning
a very young child, especially one newly or recently born
Example
The baby is sleeping peacefully in the crib.
C2 adjective /ˈbɔːlki/

balky

Meaning
difficult, uncooperative, or stubborn
Example
The balky printer refused to work when needed most.
C2 adjective /ˈboʊvaɪn/

bovine

Meaning
relating to cattle; showing a dull or sluggish nature
Example
Her bovine expression revealed no emotions.
A2 verb /bleɪm/

blame

Meaning
to hold responsible for a fault; to find fault with
Example
Don't blame me for the mistake.
B2 noun /bækˈtɪəriəm/

bacterium

Meaning
A single microscopic organism belonging to the group of bacteria.
Example
The doctor explained that a single bacterium can multiply rapidly under the right conditions.
C2 verb /bɪˈteɪk/

betake

Meaning
to go or resort to a place or course of action, especially as a response; to apply oneself
Example
After dinner, she betook herself to her room to read.
C1 verb /ˈblækən/

blacken

Meaning
to make something black or darker; to stain, soil, or tarnish
Example
Smoke from the fire began to blacken the walls.
B2 noun /brɑː/

bra

Meaning
a woman's undergarment worn to support and cover the breasts
Example
She bought a comfortable bra for everyday wear.
B1 noun /blaʊz/

Blouse

Meaning
a woman's loose upper garment resembling a shirt
Example
She wore a beautiful silk blouse to the party.
C1 noun /ˈbɑːr.tər ˌsɪs.təm/

barter system

Meaning
A system of exchange where goods and services are traded directly without using money.
Example
Ancient civilizations used the barter system for trade.
B2 noun, verb /bluːm/

bloom

Meaning
to produce flowers; to develop or flourish; a flower or the state of flowering
Example
The roses bloom beautifully every spring.
B2 verb /bɪˈfrɛnd/

befriend

Meaning
to act as a friend to someone; to make friends with
Example
She befriended the new student at school.
B2 noun /ˈbætəlˌfiːld/

battlefield

Meaning
a place where a battle is fought
Example
The battlefield was covered with the remnants of the fight.
B1 adjective /ˈbælənst/

balanced

Meaning
keeping or showing a sensible and fair view or position; evenly arranged
Example
A balanced diet is essential for good health.
B2 adjective /ˈbraʊn.ɪʃ/

Brownish

Meaning
having a color somewhat like brown; tending toward brown
Example
The old paper had a brownish tint from age.
C2 noun /bəˈnæləti/

banality

Meaning
The condition of being unoriginal, boring, or obvious; trite remark or quality.
Example
The speech was criticized for its banality and lack of originality.
C1 verb /bɪˈwɪldər/

bewilder

Meaning
to cause someone to be confused or puzzled
Example
The complex instructions bewildered the students.
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.
C1 noun /ˈbɪɡ.ət/

bigot

Meaning
A person who is intolerant toward those holding different opinions or beliefs.
Example
He was called a bigot for refusing to listen to others' views.
B1 noun /ˈbluː.ber.i/

Blueberry

Meaning
a small round blue fruit that grows on bushes
Example
She picked fresh blueberries for the pie.
B2 adjective /boʊld/

Bold

Meaning
brave; confident; daring
Example
He made a bold decision to start his own business.
A1 adjective /bɔːrd/

bored

Meaning
feeling weary or uninterested because of lack of activity or excitement
Example
She felt bored during the long meeting.
C1 noun /brəˈzɪər/

Brassiere

Meaning
a woman's undergarment designed to support the breasts
Example
She bought a comfortable brassiere for daily wear.
C2 adjective /baɪˈkæmərəl/

bicameral

Meaning
Having two branches or chambers, especially in a legislature.
Example
The United States has a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
C1 noun /ˈbeɪ.zəl siːdz/

Basil Seeds

Meaning
small black seeds from the basil plant, often used in drinks and desserts
Example
I added basil seeds to my lemonade for a refreshing drink.
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 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.
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.
B1 noun /ˈbles.ɪŋ/

Blessing

Meaning
a beneficial thing for which one is grateful; divine favor
Example
Having good health is a blessing that we should cherish.
C1 noun /ˈboʊ.ə/

Boa

Meaning
a large non-venomous snake that kills prey by constriction
Example
The boa constrictor wrapped around its prey.
C2 adjective /ˈbaɪ.fərˌkeɪ.tɪd/

bifurcated

Meaning
Divided into two branches or parts.
Example
The river became bifurcated as it flowed around the island.
B2 noun ˈbaɪ.əʊˌfjuː.əl

biofuel

Meaning
A fuel derived immediately from living matter, as opposed to fossil fuels derived from long-dead biological matter.
Example
Biofuels reduce dependence on conventional energy sources.
B1 noun /bʌntʃ/

Bunch

Meaning
a number of things of the same type fastened together or occurring close together
Example
She picked a bunch of flowers from the garden for her mother.
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.
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 verb /buːst/

boost

Meaning
To increase, improve, or raise something.
Example
The company launched a campaign to boost sales.
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.
A2 verb /beɪk/

bake

Meaning
to cook food using dry heat, usually in an oven
Example
She baked a cake for her friend's birthday.
C1 noun /bɒɡ/

bog

Meaning
an area of wet, spongy ground; a swamp or marsh
Example
The hikers got stuck in a bog.
B2 verb /blɜːr/

blur

Meaning
to make something unclear or difficult to see
Example
Tears blurred her vision.
A1 noun /biːtʃ/

beach

Meaning
An area of sand or small stones beside the sea or a lake.
Example
They spent the day relaxing on the beach.
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.
A1 noun/verb /bæŋk/

bank

Meaning
an institution where money is kept and managed; or to tilt in movement (like an airplane or riverbank)
Example
She deposited the money in the bank.
C2 verb /bɪˈhuːv/

behoove

Meaning
to be necessary, proper, or appropriate for someone to do
Example
It would behoove you to study before the exam.
A1 noun /ˈbɑːθruːm/

bathroom

Meaning
a room containing a toilet and usually a sink or shower
Example
The bathroom is on the second floor.
C2 noun /briːtʃ/

breech

Meaning
The back part of a gun barrel; a position of a baby in the womb where the buttocks or feet come out first at birth.
Example
The rifle was loaded through the breech.
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 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.
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.
A1 adjective /blæk/

Black

Meaning
having the darkest color; the opposite of white
Example
She wore a beautiful black dress to the party.
C2 noun /ˈbɛnɪsən/

benison

Meaning
A blessing or benefit.
Example
The rain was a benison for the drought-stricken farmers.
A2 noun /bɜːrθ/

Birth

Meaning
the emergence of a baby or young from the body of its mother; the beginning or origin of something
Example
The birth of their first child was a joyful moment.
C2 verb /breɪz/

braze

Meaning
To join two pieces of metal by heating and melting a filler metal into the joint.
Example
The mechanic brazed the broken pipe to fix the leak.
C2 noun /breɪ/

brae

Meaning
A hillside or slope, especially in Scotland.
Example
They climbed up the grassy brae to see the sunset.
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?
B1 noun /bʌlb/

bulb

Meaning
a rounded glass part of an electric lamp that produces light when lit; also an underground storage organ in some plants
Example
The light bulb burned out, so she replaced it with a new one.
C1 verb /ˈbɒɡəl/

boggle

Meaning
to overwhelm or confuse; to be astonished or puzzled by something
Example
The complexity of the puzzle boggled his mind.
A2 noun/verb /ˈbʌdʒɪt/

budget

Meaning
An estimate of income and expenditure for a set period of time; to plan expenses and income.
Example
The family created a budget to manage their expenses.
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 /blʌʃ/

blush

Meaning
to become red in the face due to embarrassment or shyness
Example
She blushed when he complimented her.
B2 noun ˈbɛntʃˌmɑːr.kɪŋ

benchmarking

Meaning
Comparing with a specific industry or competitor to set the best standards.
Example
Companies use benchmarking to assess their performance.
B2 noun /ˈbel.i/

Belly

Meaning
the front part of the human trunk below the ribs, containing the stomach and bowels; abdomen
Example
The baby kicked in her belly during pregnancy.
B2 verb /ˈbætər/

batter

Meaning
To strike repeatedly with force.
Example
The waves battered the shoreline all night.
C2 noun /ˈbroʊmiːn/

bromine

Meaning
a dark red, dense, toxic liquid element used in making dyes, flame retardants, and medications
Example
Bromine is commonly used in water treatment chemicals.
B1 verb /blɛs/

bless

Meaning
to give divine favor; to ask for God's favor
Example
The priest blessed the congregation.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪk ə ˌbræk/

bric-a-brac

Meaning
Small decorative objects or ornaments, often of little value.
Example
The shelves were filled with old bric-a-brac from her travels.
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.
C2 noun /baɪt/

bight

Meaning
A bend or curve in a geographical feature, especially a coastline, or a loop in a rope.
Example
The sailors anchored in the calm waters of the bight.
B2 adverb /bɪˈfɔːr.hænd/

Beforehand

Meaning
in advance; ahead of time; earlier
Example
We prepared everything beforehand.
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.
C2 verb /ˈbaɪfərˌkeɪt/

bifurcate

Meaning
to divide into two branches or parts
Example
The road bifurcates into two separate paths at the hill.
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.
C2 noun /ˌbækəˈneɪliə/

bacchanalia

Meaning
A Roman festival of Bacchus celebrated with dancing, drinking, and revelry; any occasion of wild and drunken revelry.
Example
The novel describes the party as a bacchanalia of excess and joy.
C2 noun /broʊɡ/

brogue

Meaning
A strong outdoor shoe; also a marked accent, especially Irish or Scottish.
Example
He bought a pair of stylish brogues for the wedding.
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.
A2 noun /ˈbʌdi/

buddy

Meaning
a close friend or companion, used informally
Example
He went to the movies with his best buddy.
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 /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 /ˈbæŋ.ɡəl/

Bangle

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

Bugle

Meaning
a brass musical instrument similar to a trumpet but without valves, used especially for military calls
Example
The soldier played the bugle to signal the start of the ceremony.
C2 noun /blæk ˈkɑːr.də.məm/

Black Cardamom

Meaning
a large aromatic spice pod with a smoky flavor, commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking
Example
Add black cardamom to the curry for a rich, smoky flavor.
A1 adjective /ˈbjuː.tɪ.fəl/

Beautiful

Meaning
pleasing to the senses; attractive; having qualities that give great pleasure
Example
She has a beautiful voice that captivates everyone.
C2 verb /ˈbleɪzən/

blazon

Meaning
to display prominently or vividly
Example
The slogan was blazoned across the banner in bold letters.
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.
C1 noun /beɪn/

bane

Meaning
A cause of great distress, harm, or annoyance.
Example
Traffic jams are the bane of city life.
B2 noun /ˈblɒkˌtʃeɪn/

blockchain

Meaning
A system of recording information in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to change, hack, or cheat the system
Example
Blockchain technology ensures transparency in financial transactions.
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.
C1 noun /brɪˈɡeɪd/

brigade

Meaning
A large group of people organized for a specific purpose, especially a military unit.
Example
The fire brigade arrived quickly to put out the flames.
C1 verb bɪˈkwiːð

bequeath

Meaning
Leave something to someone in a will; pass down or hand down to the next generation.
Example
The scientist bequeathed his research papers to the university.
C1 noun /brɛdθ/

breadth

Meaning
The distance or measurement from side to side; width; a wide range.
Example
The breadth of his knowledge impressed everyone.
B1 noun /bɪˈhɑːf/

behalf

Meaning
as a representative of someone; in the interest of someone
Example
She accepted the award on behalf of her team.
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.
C1 noun /ˌbɪbliˈɒɡrəfi/

bibliography

Meaning
a list of books, articles, or other sources used or referred to in scholarly work
Example
The report includes a detailed bibliography at the end.
A2 noun /brɛθ/

breath

Meaning
The air taken into or expelled from the lungs during breathing.
Example
He took a deep breath before speaking.
C2 adjective /bɪˈsɒtɪd/

besotted

Meaning
strongly infatuated or obsessed with someone or something
Example
He was completely besotted with her charm.
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 verb /ˈbəʊl.stər/

bolster

Meaning
To support or strengthen; to prop up.
Example
The new policy aims to bolster economic growth.
B1 noun /ˈbæɡɪdʒ/

Baggage

Meaning
suitcases and bags containing personal belongings; past experiences or problems that affect behavior
Example
Please collect your baggage from the conveyor belt at the airport.
A1 noun /bæɡ/

bag

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

biological

Meaning
relating to the science of biology or to life and living organisms
Example
She is studying biological sciences at university.
B1 noun /ˈbʌb.əl/

bubble

Meaning
a thin sphere of liquid enclosing air or gas; a temporary state of inflated value or excitement
Example
The children chased the bubbles in the air.
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.
B2 noun ˈbreɪk.θruː

breakthrough

Meaning
A sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development.
Example
The breakthrough opens doors for new technology.
C2 adjective /ˈbuːtləs/

bootless

Meaning
Useless or futile; of no benefit.
Example
His bootless attempt to fix the machine only wasted time.
C2 noun /ˈbɒnəmi/

bonhomie

Meaning
Cheerful friendliness and geniality.
Example
The meeting was filled with laughter and bonhomie.
B2 adjective /ˈbɪtər/

Bitter

Meaning
having a sharp, pungent taste; feeling or showing anger and disappointment
Example
The medicine had a bitter taste.
A1 noun /bɪt/

Bit

Meaning
a small piece or quantity of something; a short time or distance
Example
Can you wait a bit longer for me?
C2 verb /breɪ/

bray

Meaning
To make a loud, harsh sound like a donkey.
Example
The donkey began to bray loudly in the field.
B1 verb /breɪk/

brake

Meaning
to slow down or stop a vehicle by applying a brake
Example
He braked suddenly to avoid hitting the dog.
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 verb /ˈbɑrɡɪn/

bargain

Meaning
to negotiate terms; to discuss prices; to make a deal
Example
She likes to bargain at the local market.
C1 adjective /ˈbeɪs.ləs/

Baseless

Meaning
without foundation; groundless; unfounded
Example
The accusations against him were completely baseless.
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.