blues
All a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
All CEFR A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2
Content locale
EN English BN Bengali HI Hindi ES Spanish FR French DE German RU Russian ZH Chinese JA Japanese
All Vocabulary Cards All Vocabularies
B2 noun /bluːz/

blues

Meaning
a feeling of sadness; a style of music with melancholy themes
Example
Listening to blues music always calms him down.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪbjələs/

bibulous

Meaning
Excessively fond of drinking alcohol.
Example
His bibulous habits worried his family.
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.
A2 noun /ˈbʊkɪŋ/

booking

Meaning
the act of reserving accommodations, tickets, etc.
Example
I made a booking for a hotel room in advance.
A2 verb /bɪld/

build

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

betimes

Meaning
early; in good time
Example
She rose betimes to finish her work.
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.
A2 noun /ˈbiː.ɪŋ/

Being

Meaning
existence; a living creature; the state of existing
Example
Every human being deserves respect and dignity.
A1 verb /bɪˈkʌm/

become

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

bursar

Meaning
An official in a school or college responsible for financial affairs.
Example
The bursar approved the budget for the new library.
C1 verb /bɒtʃ/

botch

Meaning
to carry out a task badly or carelessly
Example
He completely botched the repair job.
B2 noun /ˈblʌn.dər/

blunder

Meaning
A stupid or careless mistake; a serious error in judgment.
Example
His blunder cost the company a fortune.
B2 adverb /ˈbəʊld.li/

Boldly

Meaning
in a confident and brave way; without fear
Example
She boldly stepped forward to face the challenge.
C2 noun /bel ˈæp.əl/

Bell apple

Meaning
a tropical fruit with a crisp texture and sweet taste, scientifically known as Syzygium malaccense
Example
The bell apple tree produces beautiful red fruits that are popular in tropical regions.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪliəs/

bilious

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

beware

Meaning
to be cautious or alert about a potential danger or problem
Example
Beware of the dog near the gate.
C1 verb /bɒmˈbɑːrd/

bombard

Meaning
to attack continuously with bombs, questions, or other forces
Example
Reporters bombarded the minister with difficult questions.
C1 verb /bɪˈreɪt/

berate

Meaning
to scold or criticize angrily
Example
The teacher berated the student for being late.
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.
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.
C2 noun ˌbaɪ.oʊ.əˈveɪ.lə.bɪl.ə.ti

bioavailability

Meaning
The degree to which a substance can be absorbed and used by the body.
Example
Turmeric's bioavailability increases when consumed with black pepper.
B2 noun ˌbaɪ.oʊ.dɪˈvɝː.sə.t̬i

biodiversity

Meaning
The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
Example
Rainforests are home to immense biodiversity.
B2 noun /ˈbɛriəl/

burial

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

bless

Meaning
to give divine favor; to ask for God's favor
Example
The priest blessed the congregation.
C1 verb /ˈbəʊl.stər/

bolster

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

buoyant

Meaning
Able to float easily; cheerful and optimistic.
Example
She remained buoyant despite the difficulties.
B2 noun /bɪtʃ/

Bitch

Meaning
a female dog; an unpleasant or spiteful woman (offensive)
Example
The bitch gave birth to five puppies.
A2 verb /beɪs/

base

Meaning
to use something as a foundation; to establish or locate something
Example
They based their decision on facts.
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.
C2 noun /ˈbɔːlsəm/

Balsam

Meaning
a flowering plant with colorful blooms that often open in the evening; also refers to aromatic resin
Example
The garden balsam flowers bloomed beautifully in various shades of pink and purple.
B1 noun /ˈbækʌp/

backup

Meaning
a copy of data stored separately to protect against loss
Example
Make sure to have a backup of your important files.
B2 noun /ˈbætəlˌfiːld/

battlefield

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

backyard

Meaning
an area of land behind a house, typically used for recreation or gardening
Example
The children played football in the backyard.
C2 adjective /ˈbreɪsɪŋ/

bracing

Meaning
Invigorating, refreshing, or providing strength and energy.
Example
The hikers enjoyed the bracing mountain air.
C2 verb /bɪˈhəʊv/

behove

Meaning
British spelling of 'behoove'; to be appropriate or necessary
Example
It would behove the company to listen to its customers.
C1 noun /ˈbɛd.rɒk/

bedrock

Meaning
the solid rock layer beneath the soil; the fundamental basis of something
Example
Trust is the bedrock of a healthy relationship.
B2 verb /ˈbraɪtən/

brighten

Meaning
to make something lighter or more colorful; to improve mood or make happier
Example
A few kind words can brighten someone's day.
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.
A2 verb /baɪt/

bite

Meaning
to cut with teeth; to have a sharp effect
Example
The dog might bite if it feels threatened.
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.
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.
C1 noun /bɜːrθ/

Berth

Meaning
a sleeping place in a ship, train, or other vehicle; a place where a ship can dock
Example
I booked an upper berth on the overnight train.
B2 noun ˈbɛriəl saɪt

burial site

Meaning
A place where a dead body is buried.
Example
The burial site of the martyrs was near the riverbank.
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.
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 /ˈbʊlrʌʃ/

bulrush

Meaning
A tall plant with long leaves that grows in or near water, also known as a cattail.
Example
The pond was surrounded by tall bulrushes swaying in the wind.
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.
A1 interjection /baɪ/

bye

Meaning
used to say goodbye; a short and informal farewell
Example
I said bye to her before leaving.
A1 adjective /braʊn/

Brown

Meaning
having the color of earth or wood; dark colored
Example
She has beautiful brown eyes that sparkle in the sunlight.
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.
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 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 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.
A1 adjective /bɔːrd/

bored

Meaning
feeling weary or uninterested because of lack of activity or excitement
Example
She felt bored during the long meeting.
B1 adjective /blɒnd/

blond

Meaning
having light-colored hair, typically pale yellow or golden.
Example
She has long blond hair that shines in the sunlight.
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.
C2 adjective /baɪˈɛniəl/

biennial

Meaning
happening every two years
Example
The biennial festival attracts thousands of visitors.
C2 verb /bɪˈstruː/

bestrew

Meaning
To scatter or cover something with objects or substances.
Example
The ground was bestrewn with autumn leaves.
B2 adjective /bɪˈkʌmɪŋ/

becoming

Meaning
attractive, suitable, or flattering to the wearer or situation
Example
That dress is very becoming on her.
C2 noun /ˈbiːlaɪn/

beeline

Meaning
a straight, direct route to a destination
Example
He made a beeline for the food table as soon as he entered the party.
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.
B2 verb /ˈbɔɪkɑt/

boycott

Meaning
to refuse to buy, use, or participate in something as a protest
Example
They decided to boycott the company's products.
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 /ˈbuːt.stræp.ɪŋ/

bootstrapping

Meaning
Starting a business with personal resources or small investments without external funding or venture capital.
Example
Many entrepreneurs rely on bootstrapping to launch their businesses.
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 /ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkl̩/

biological

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

Benignity

Meaning
kindness; gentleness; the quality of being benign or gracious
Example
Her benignity towards all people made her beloved by everyone.
B2 noun/verb /bruːz/

bruise

Meaning
As a noun: an injury appearing as a purple or blue mark on the skin; As a verb: to injure without breaking the skin
Example
He got a bruise on his arm after falling.
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.
B2 noun /ˈbaɪoʊ ˌdeɪtə/

Bio-data

Meaning
biographical data; a resume or curriculum vitae containing personal and professional information
Example
Please submit your bio-data along with the job application.
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.
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 adjective /ˈbroʊkən/

Broken

Meaning
damaged; not working; fractured
Example
The broken window needs to be replaced immediately.
C2 adjective /bɪˈnɪɡnənt/

benignant

Meaning
Kindly and benevolent in nature.
Example
The teacher’s benignant attitude made the students feel comfortable.
B2 noun /ˈbærəl/

barrel

Meaning
a large cylindrical container used to hold liquids
Example
The wine was stored in a wooden barrel.
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.
C2 noun /bɛk/

beck

Meaning
a gesture of beckoning; a small stream or brook (chiefly Northern English)
Example
The servant came at his master's beck and call.
B2 noun /ˈbɒmɪŋ/

bombing

Meaning
an attack using bombs or explosives
Example
The city was devastated by the bombing.
B1 noun /ˈbɪldər/

builder

Meaning
a person or company that constructs buildings or other structures
Example
The builder checked the site before starting the construction.
C1 verb, noun /ˈbreɪnˌwɒʃ/

brainwash

Meaning
to manipulate someone into adopting certain beliefs by repeated pressure or propaganda; the act or process of such manipulation
Example
The group tried to brainwash new members with constant propaganda.
B1 verb /bɜːrst/

burst

Meaning
to break open suddenly; to be full of something
Example
The balloon bursts with a loud pop.
A2 preposition /bɪˈloʊ/

below

Meaning
At a lower level or position than something else.
Example
The basement is below the ground floor.
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.
C1 verb /bloʊt/

bloat

Meaning
to swell or cause to swell, often due to fluid or gas
Example
Eating too much junk food can bloat your stomach.
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 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.
C2 verb /bɪˈweɪl/

bewail

Meaning
to express deep sorrow or regret over something; to mourn openly
Example
She bewailed the loss of her childhood home.
C2 noun /ˈbuː.jɒ̃/

bouillon

Meaning
A clear, seasoned broth made by simmering meat, fish, or vegetables in water.
Example
She added vegetables to the bouillon for extra flavor.
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.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈbruː.təl/

brutal

Meaning
extremely cruel or harsh; violent and without feeling
Example
The dictator’s rule was marked by brutal violence.
B2 noun /buːθ/

booth

Meaning
a small enclosed space or area used for a specific purpose, such as voting or selling.
Example
He went into the voting booth to cast his ballot.
C2 noun /ˈbɪɡ.ə.mɪst/

bigamist

Meaning
A person who commits the crime of marrying someone while already married to another.
Example
The man was arrested for being a bigamist.
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 verb /ˈblændɪʃ/

blandish

Meaning
to flatter or coax someone with kind words or praise in order to influence them
Example
He blandished the officials with compliments to gain their support.
C2 verb /ˈblʌdʒən/

bludgeon

Meaning
to hit someone with a heavy object; to force someone into doing something
Example
The guard was bludgeoned by the attacker in the alley.
C2 adjective /ˌbiːəˈtɪfɪk/

beatific

Meaning
blissfully happy or showing great joy
Example
She had a beatific smile after hearing the good news.
A1 noun, verb /baɪk/

bike

Meaning
a bicycle or motorcycle; to ride a bicycle
Example
He biked to school every day.
A1 noun /ˈbɑːθruːm/

bathroom

Meaning
a room containing a toilet and usually a sink or shower
Example
The bathroom is on the second floor.
B2 noun /ˈbɒt.əl.nek/

bottleneck

Meaning
Narrow path or obstruction, a place or situation where flow becomes slow.
Example
The narrow bridge is a major bottleneck during rush hour.
C1 phrase ˌbaɪ.oʊ.daɪˈvɜː.sɪ.ti ˌprez.əˈveɪ.ʃən

biodiversity preservation

Meaning
The protection and conservation of the variety of life in all its forms, including different species, genetic diversity, and ecosystems.
Example
Biodiversity preservation is critical for ecological balance.
C2 noun /ˌbæstərdaɪˈzeɪʃən/

bastardization

Meaning
the act of corrupting, degrading, or misrepresenting something
Example
Critics called the remake a bastardization of the original film.
C2 noun /ˈbrɔːdˌsaɪd/

broadside

Meaning
a strong verbal attack or a sheet of paper printed on one side
Example
The politician launched a broadside against his opponent.
C1 adjective bəˈnev.əl.ənt

benevolent

Meaning
Kind, generous, showing goodwill and kindness.
Example
His benevolent nature made him beloved.
C1 adjective /ˈblʌdləs/

bloodless

Meaning
without bloodshed; lacking violence or vitality
Example
The revolution was surprisingly bloodless.
B1 adverb /ˈbeɪsɪkli/

basically

Meaning
in the most important or fundamental way; essentially
Example
Basically, the project was a success despite some small issues.
C1 adjective /ˈbloʊtɪd/

bloated

Meaning
swollen or puffed up, often unpleasantly
Example
After the big meal, he felt bloated and uncomfortable.
A1 determiner/pronoun /boʊθ/

both

Meaning
referring to two people or things together
Example
Both of the children were excited about the trip.
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 noun /ˈbɛnɪsən/

benison

Meaning
A blessing or benefit.
Example
The rain was a benison for the drought-stricken farmers.
B1 noun /ˈbreɪs.lət/

Bracelet

Meaning
an ornamental band worn around the wrist
Example
She received a gold bracelet as a birthday gift.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːrtərər/

barterer

Meaning
A person who trades goods or services without using money.
Example
The barterer exchanged fruits for some pottery.