blighted
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C1 adjective /ˈblaɪtɪd/

blighted

Meaning
Spoiled, damaged, or destroyed.
Example
The blighted neighborhood was abandoned by most residents.
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 verb /blɪŋk/

blink

Meaning
to close and open the eyes quickly.
Example
She blinked rapidly to clear the dust from her eyes.
C2 noun /bəˈfuːnəri/

buffoonery

Meaning
Foolish or ridiculous behavior intended to amuse.
Example
His constant buffoonery irritated the serious audience.
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 adjective /ˈbrɪtl/

brittle

Meaning
easily broken or cracked; hard but liable to break
Example
The glass was so brittle that it cracked easily.
B1 noun /ˈbʊt.ʃər/

Butcher

Meaning
a person whose job is cutting up and selling meat in a shop
Example
The butcher recommended the best cut of beef for our dinner.
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 verb /blæsˈfiːm/

blaspheme

Meaning
to speak irreverently about God or sacred things
Example
He was accused of blaspheming during the heated argument.
B2 noun /brɑːnz/

bronze

Meaning
a metal made by combining copper and tin, often used for statues and medals
Example
The statue was made of solid bronze.
B2 noun /ˈbrɔːdˌkæstər/

broadcaster

Meaning
a person or organization that transmits a broadcast program.
Example
The broadcaster aired the match live to millions of viewers.
C2 noun /baɪˈmɛstər/

bimester

Meaning
A period of two months.
Example
The academic program is divided into six bimesters.
B2 verb /ˈbrɪdʒɪŋ/

bridging

Meaning
The action of building a bridge over something; connecting or reducing the distance between two things.
Example
The new initiative is bridging the gap between urban and rural development.
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.
C1 noun/verb /ˈbæntər/

banter

Meaning
playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks
Example
The colleagues enjoyed some light banter during the meeting.
B2 noun /ˈboʊlər/

bowler

Meaning
a person who delivers the ball in cricket; also a type of hard felt hat with a rounded crown
Example
The bowler took three wickets in the first over.
B2 adjective /ˈbruː.təl/

brutal

Meaning
extremely cruel or harsh; violent and without feeling
Example
The dictator’s rule was marked by brutal violence.
A1 adjective /ˈbɔːrɪŋ/

boring

Meaning
not interesting or exciting; dull.
Example
The lecture was so boring that several students fell asleep.
C2 adjective /bɪˈnaɪtɪd/

benighted

Meaning
In a state of intellectual or moral ignorance; overtaken by darkness.
Example
The explorers were lost in the benighted forest without any guide.
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.
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.
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.
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 noun /ˈbɜː.nɪŋ/

burning

Meaning
The process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (typically) smoke.
Example
Burning garbage exacerbates air pollution.
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.
B1 verb /bɜːrst/

burst

Meaning
to break open suddenly; to be full of something
Example
The balloon bursts with a loud pop.
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.
A1 adjective /bɔːrd/

bored

Meaning
feeling weary or uninterested because of lack of activity or excitement
Example
She felt bored during the long meeting.
C2 verb /bɪˈleɪt/

belate

Meaning
to delay or make late
Example
Heavy traffic belated our arrival at the party.
B1 noun /bæŋ/

Bang

Meaning
a sudden loud noise; a hard blow or hit
Example
The door closed with a loud bang that woke everyone up.
C1 verb /ˈbæbəl/

babble

Meaning
to talk rapidly and continuously in a foolish way
Example
The baby babbles all day long.
A2 adjective /ˈbeɪ.sɪk/

Basic

Meaning
fundamental; essential; forming the foundation or starting point
Example
Learning basic English grammar is essential for beginners.
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.
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/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.
C2 verb /bɪˈstruː/

bestrew

Meaning
To scatter or cover something with objects or substances.
Example
The ground was bestrewn with autumn leaves.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌksəm/

buxom

Meaning
Plump, with a full figure and often large-breasted, especially used to describe women.
Example
The actress was described as a cheerful and buxom woman.
C1 verb /bɪˈsɛt/

beset

Meaning
to trouble, harass, or attack on all sides
Example
The village was beset by constant floods.
C2 verb /bɪˈfaʊl/

befoul

Meaning
to make dirty or polluted; to disgrace or corrupt
Example
The factory waste befouled the river.
A2 adverb /bɪˈsaɪdz/

Besides

Meaning
in addition to; moreover; furthermore
Example
Besides being smart, he is also kind.
B1 adjective /brɔːd/

Broad

Meaning
wide; extensive; covering a large area
Example
The river is very broad at this point.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈboʊvaɪn/

bovine

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

Bean

Meaning
an edible seed, typically kidney-shaped, growing in long pods on certain leguminous plants
Example
We planted green beans in our vegetable garden this spring.
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.
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 noun /bɪər/

bier

Meaning
a frame or stand on which a coffin or body is placed before burial or cremation
Example
The coffin was placed on the bier during the funeral service.
C2 noun /ˈbɪɡ.ə.mi/

bigamy

Meaning
The act of marrying one person while still legally married to another.
Example
He was charged with bigamy after his second marriage was discovered.
C1 adjective /bəˈroʊk/

baroque

Meaning
relating to a highly ornate and extravagant style of art, architecture, or music from the 17th and early 18th centuries; excessively elaborate or complex
Example
The church was decorated in a baroque style with intricate details.
B2 noun /ˈbiː.təl/

Beetle

Meaning
a hard-bodied insect with wing covers
Example
The black beetle scurried across the garden path.
A1 verb /bɪˈliːv/

believe

Meaning
to think that something is true; to have faith in
Example
I believe in hard work and dedication.
C2 adjective /ˈbrɔːni/

brawny

Meaning
Physically strong and muscular.
Example
The brawny man lifted the heavy box with ease.
C1 noun /ˌbaɪˈlæt.ər.əl nɪˌɡəʊ.ʃiˈeɪ.ʃənz/

bilateral negotiations

Meaning
Negotiations or discussions between two parties, typically countries or organizations.
Example
Bilateral negotiations resolve disputes.
C2 noun /ˈbriːtʃɪz/

Breeckes

Meaning
knee-length trousers; short pants
Example
He wore riding breeches for the equestrian event.
B1 noun /blæk ˈpep.ər/

Black Pepper

Meaning
a hot-tasting spice made from dried peppercorns, widely used for seasoning food
Example
Season the steak with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
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.
A1 adjective /ˈbɪɡɪst/

biggest

Meaning
largest in size, amount, degree, or importance; superlative form of big
Example
This is the biggest challenge we have ever faced.
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.
B2 noun /ˈbʌf.ə.loʊ/

Buffalo

Meaning
a large wild ox with heavy horns; American bison
Example
The buffalo grazed peacefully in the meadow.
C1 noun /ˈbɑn.dɪdʒ/

Bondage

Meaning
the state of being a slave; the state of being under the control of a force or influence
Example
The people fought to escape from the bondage of oppression.
C2 noun /ˈbɜːrɡər/

burgher

Meaning
A citizen of a town, typically a member of the wealthy middle class.
Example
The burgher was respected as a prosperous merchant in the city.
B1 noun ˈbæriə(r)

barrier

Meaning
A fence or other obstacle that prevents movement or access.
Example
The barrier prevented entry.
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.
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.
B2 adverb /ˈbrɔːdli/

broadly

Meaning
in a general or wide manner.
Example
The rules are broadly similar across all regions.
A2 verb /bet/

bet

Meaning
to risk money on the outcome of something; to be confident
Example
I bet it will rain tomorrow.
C2 adjective /bɪˈnɪɡnənt/

benignant

Meaning
Kindly and benevolent in nature.
Example
The teacher’s benignant attitude made the students feel comfortable.
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.
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 verb /bɪˈriːv/

bereave

Meaning
to deprive someone of a loved one through death
Example
She was bereaved of her husband last year.
C2 verb /beɪt/

bate

Meaning
to lessen or restrain; to diminish the force or intensity of something
Example
He spoke with bated breath as he waited for the result.
C1 noun /blɪs/

Bliss

Meaning
perfect happiness; great joy
Example
She felt pure bliss while watching the beautiful sunset.
A1 verb /brɪŋ/

bring

Meaning
to carry or take something to a place; to come with something
Example
Please bring your books to class tomorrow.
C1 noun /bəˈtɒn/

baton

Meaning
A thin stick carried by a conductor to direct an orchestra, or used as a symbol of authority.
Example
The conductor raised his baton to begin the symphony.
C2 noun /ˈbɔːbəl/

bauble

Meaning
A small, decorative trinket or ornament, often of little value.
Example
She wore a shiny bauble around her neck.
C1 noun /blæk plʌm/

Black plum

Meaning
a dark purple or black colored edible fruit with sweet and sour taste
Example
I picked some fresh black plums from the tree in our backyard.
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.
C1 noun /ˈbɜːrθraɪt/

birthright

Meaning
A privilege or possession that a person has from birth.
Example
Freedom is considered a birthright of every individual.
A2 adverb /bɪˈjɒnd/

Beyond

Meaning
further away than; exceeding; more than
Example
The mountains stretched beyond the horizon.
B2 noun bjʊəˈrɒk.rə.si

bureaucracy

Meaning
A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.
Example
Excessive bureaucracy can slow down decision-making.
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.
C2 noun /brəˈkeɪd/

brocade

Meaning
a rich fabric woven with a raised pattern, often in gold or silver thread
Example
She wore a beautiful brocade dress to the wedding.
A2 noun /ˈbʊkʃɒp/

bookshop

Meaning
a retail store where books are sold
Example
She spent an hour browsing in the small bookshop.
A1 verb /baɪ/

buy

Meaning
to get something by paying money for it; to purchase
Example
I want to buy a new car this year.
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 /ˈbɛlɪˌkoʊs/

bellicose

Meaning
Showing a tendency to argue or fight; aggressive.
Example
His bellicose attitude often got him into unnecessary conflicts.
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.
C2 verb /bɪˈnʌm/

benumb

Meaning
to make physically numb or without sensation; to make mentally dull or insensitive
Example
The freezing wind seemed to benumb his fingers within minutes.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪliəs/

bilious

Meaning
Relating to bile or an ill-tempered, irritable disposition.
Example
He became bilious after hearing the unfair criticism.
C1 verb /ˈbɑːrtər/

barter

Meaning
To exchange goods or services without using money.
Example
They bartered their crops for handmade tools.
C2 noun /ˈbæn.jən/

Banian

Meaning
a sleeveless undergarment worn next to the skin; vest
Example
He put on a cotton banian under his shirt.
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 verb /bɪˈɡɪn/

begin

Meaning
to start doing something; to commence
Example
I will begin my studies tomorrow.
B1 verb /bʌmp/

bump

Meaning
To hit something or someone by accident; to knock against something.
Example
He accidentally bumped into the door.
A1 noun /bʌs/

Bus

Meaning
a large motor vehicle carrying passengers by road
Example
I take the bus to work every morning.
C2 noun /breɪ/

brae

Meaning
A hillside or slope, especially in Scotland.
Example
They climbed up the grassy brae to see the sunset.
C1 noun /bɑːm/

balm

Meaning
A soothing ointment or something that provides comfort or relief.
Example
The balm helped relieve the pain from her sunburn.
C1 verb /bɪˈwɪldər/

bewilder

Meaning
to cause someone to be confused or puzzled
Example
The complex instructions bewildered the students.
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.
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.
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 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.
B2 adverb /ˈblʌnt.li/

Bluntly

Meaning
in a direct way without trying to be polite; frankly
Example
He told her bluntly that she was wrong.
C2 adjective /ˈbæti/

batty

Meaning
crazy or eccentric in behavior
Example
The old man down the street is a bit batty but harmless.
C2 verb /bɪˈsmɜːrtʃ/

besmirch

Meaning
to damage someone's reputation; to make dirty or stained
Example
He tried to besmirch her good name with false rumors.
B1 noun /baɪˈɒlədʒi/

biology

Meaning
The scientific study of living organisms.
Example
Biology explains how plants and animals function.
A2 noun /ˈbʌt.ər.flaɪ/

Butter-fly

Meaning
a flying insect with large colorful wings
Example
The beautiful butterfly landed on the flower.
A2 verb /bɪld/

build

Meaning
to make something by putting materials together; to construct
Example
They will build a new school in our neighborhood.
A2 verb /bit/

beat

Meaning
to strike repeatedly; to defeat; to pulsate rhythmically
Example
Our team will beat theirs in the final match.
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.
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.
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 adjective /ˈbɪtər/

Bitter

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

base

Meaning
to use something as a foundation; to establish or locate something
Example
They based their decision on facts.
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 adjective /ˈbaʊn.tɪ.fəl/

bountiful

Meaning
Large in quantity; abundant; generous in giving.
Example
The farmer was grateful for the bountiful harvest.
C2 adjective, noun /bɪˈtroʊðd/

betrothed

Meaning
Engaged to be married; a person who is engaged.
Example
She introduced him as her betrothed.
C1 adjective /ˈblʌdləs/

bloodless

Meaning
without bloodshed; lacking violence or vitality
Example
The revolution was surprisingly bloodless.
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.
C1 adjective /bɪˈfɪt.ɪŋ/

Befitting

Meaning
appropriate; suitable; proper for a particular situation or person
Example
He wore formal attire befitting the important occasion.