brine
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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.
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 /brəˈvjʊrə/

bravura

Meaning
a display of great skill and brilliance, especially in music or performance
Example
The pianist delivered a bravura performance that left the audience spellbound.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈbaɪ.fərˌkeɪ.tɪd/

bifurcated

Meaning
Divided into two branches or parts.
Example
The river became bifurcated as it flowed around the island.
B1 phrasal verb /bloʊ aʊt/

blow out

Meaning
to extinguish by blowing; to fail suddenly or burst; to expand or exceed limits dramatically
Example
She blew out the candles on her birthday cake.
C1 noun /bəˈnæn.zə/

Bonanza

Meaning
a situation or event that creates a sudden increase in wealth, good fortune, or profits
Example
The oil discovery was a bonanza for the small country.
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.
A2 verb /beɪs/

base

Meaning
to use something as a foundation; to establish or locate something
Example
They based their decision on facts.
C1 adjective /bɪˈmjuːzd/

bemused

Meaning
confused, puzzled, or lost in thought
Example
She looked bemused when he asked the strange question.
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.
A2 verb /bet/

bet

Meaning
to risk money on the outcome of something; to be confident
Example
I bet it will rain tomorrow.
C1 verb /bɪˈɡrʌdʒ/

begrudge

Meaning
to resent someone for having something; to give reluctantly
Example
She did not begrudge him his success.
B2 noun /ˈblʌn.dər/

blunder

Meaning
A stupid or careless mistake; a serious error in judgment.
Example
His blunder cost the company a fortune.
C1 verb /bɪˈlɪtl/

belittle

Meaning
To make someone or something seem less important or less valuable.
Example
He often belittled his coworkers to feel superior.
C2 verb /bɪˈdaɪzən/

bedizen

Meaning
to dress up or decorate in a showy or tasteless way
Example
She was bedizened with cheap jewelry.
B1 noun /ˈbriːðɪŋ/

breathing

Meaning
the process of taking air into and expelling it from the lungs.
Example
Deep breathing can help you relax.
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.
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 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.
B1 noun ˈbæriə(r)

barrier

Meaning
A fence or other obstacle that prevents movement or access.
Example
The barrier prevented entry.
A2 adjective /braɪt/

Bright

Meaning
giving out or reflecting much light; vivid in color
Example
The artist used bright colors in her painting.
A2 noun/verb /ˈbætəl/

battle

Meaning
A fight between armed forces or a struggle to achieve or resist something.
Example
The soldiers prepared for the final battle.
A1 noun /ˈbaɪ.sɪ.kəl/

Bicycle

Meaning
A vehicle with two wheels that you pedal to make it move
Example
She rides her bicycle to work every day.
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.
A1 noun /bəˈnæn.ə/

Banana

Meaning
a long curved fruit with yellow skin and soft sweet flesh
Example
Bananas are a good source of potassium.
C1 verb /ˈbædʒər/

badger

Meaning
To repeatedly ask or annoy someone with demands or questions.
Example
The reporter kept badgering the politician with questions.
C2 adjective /ˈbiːstiəl/

bestial

Meaning
Relating to beasts; showing savagery, brutality, or lacking human sensibility.
Example
The prisoners were treated in a bestial manner.
B1 verb /bliːd/

bleed

Meaning
to lose blood from the body, especially due to injury
Example
She began to bleed from the cut on her arm.
C1 noun /brɔːl/

brawl

Meaning
a noisy fight in a public place
Example
A brawl broke out outside the bar late at night.
A2 noun /ˈbʊkstɔːr/

bookstore

Meaning
a shop where books are sold
Example
She spent an entire afternoon browsing in the bookstore.
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.
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.
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 /bɪˈleɪt/

belate

Meaning
to delay or make late
Example
Heavy traffic belated our arrival at the party.
A2 preposition /bɪˈsaɪd/

beside

Meaning
next to or at the side of someone or something
Example
She sat beside her best friend during the ceremony.
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 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.
C1 noun /ˈbraɪ.dəl/

Bridle

Meaning
the headgear used to control a horse, consisting of buckled straps and a bit
Example
The rider adjusted the horse's bridle before mounting for the race.
C1 noun /ˈbærɪstər/

barrister

Meaning
A type of lawyer in certain legal systems who specializes in courtroom advocacy and litigation.
Example
The barrister argued the case passionately before the judge.
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.
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.
A2 noun /ˈbʊkɪŋ/

booking

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

Big bowl

Meaning
a large, round, shallow container used for serving food, mixing ingredients, or washing
Example
She mixed the ingredients in a big bowl.
B2 noun/adjective /ˈbʌmpər/

bumper

Meaning
A protective bar at the front or back of a vehicle; also used to describe something unusually large or successful.
Example
The farmer celebrated a bumper harvest this year.
C2 noun /ˈbɔːbəl/

bauble

Meaning
A small, decorative trinket or ornament, often of little value.
Example
She wore a shiny bauble around her neck.
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 /bəˈlɪdʒ.ər.ənt/

belligerent

Meaning
Hostile and aggressive, ready to fight or argue.
Example
His belligerent attitude often leads to conflicts.
C2 verb /blæsˈfiːm/

blaspheme

Meaning
to speak irreverently about God or sacred things
Example
He was accused of blaspheming during the heated argument.
A2 verb /baɪt/

bite

Meaning
to cut with teeth; to have a sharp effect
Example
The dog might bite if it feels threatened.
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.
B2 noun /bʌlk/

Bulk

Meaning
the mass or size of something large; the greater part or majority of something
Example
The bulk of the work was completed before the deadline.
B1 noun /biːst/

Beast

Meaning
a large or dangerous animal; a cruel or unpleasant person
Example
The lion is a fierce beast of the jungle.
C1 verb /bɪˈɡɛt/

beget

Meaning
to bring about or give rise to; to father or produce
Example
Violence begets more violence.
A2 noun /blʌd/

Blood

Meaning
the red liquid that circulates in the arteries and veins of humans and animals, carrying oxygen to and carbon dioxide from the tissues of the body
Example
The doctor took a blood sample for testing.
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.
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.
C1 noun /bɪz/

Biz

Meaning
business (informal); commercial enterprise or activity
Example
He's been in the restaurant biz for twenty years.
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.
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.
C2 verb /bɪˈdɛk/

bedeck

Meaning
to decorate or adorn something in a showy way
Example
The hall was bedecked with flowers for the wedding.
B1 adverb /ˈber.li/

Barely

Meaning
scarcely; only just; almost not
Example
I barely passed the exam.
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 /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.
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.
A2 adverb /bɪˈjɒnd/

Beyond

Meaning
further away than; exceeding; more than
Example
The mountains stretched beyond the horizon.
C2 noun /ˈbɪvuˌæk/

bivouac

Meaning
a temporary camp without tents or cover, usually used by soldiers or mountaineers
Example
The climbers set up a bivouac on the mountainside.
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.
B2 noun, verb /blæst/

blast

Meaning
a strong gust of wind, an explosion, or a loud sound; to destroy or shatter by explosion
Example
The explosion sent a powerful blast through the building.
C2 noun /ˈbɛnɪsən/

benison

Meaning
A blessing or benefit.
Example
The rain was a benison for the drought-stricken farmers.
C1 verb /bɪˈsɛt/

beset

Meaning
to trouble, harass, or attack on all sides
Example
The village was beset by constant floods.
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.
A2 adverb /ˈbæk.wərdz/

Backwards

Meaning
in the direction that is behind; in reverse order
Example
He counted backwards from ten to one.
A1 noun /ˈbɒdi/

body

Meaning
the physical structure of a person or animal
Example
Exercise helps keep the body healthy.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
A1 noun /ˈbrʌðər/

brother

Meaning
a male sibling
Example
My brother is two years older than me.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌlbəs/

bulbous

Meaning
Bulging, round, or swollen in shape; resembling a bulb.
Example
The frog had a bulbous nose and big eyes.
C1 adjective /ˈbrɪslɪŋ/

bristling

Meaning
full of energy, anger, or excitement; showing bristles standing up
Example
He entered the room bristling with confidence.
B2 verb /boʊlt/

bolt

Meaning
To move suddenly and quickly; also to fasten something with a bolt.
Example
The horse bolted from the stable after hearing a loud noise.
B2 adjective /bɪˈzɑːr/

bizarre

Meaning
very strange or unusual, especially so as to cause interest or amusement
Example
He told a bizarre story that no one could believe.
C2 noun /bɜːrˈlɛsk/

burlesque

Meaning
A humorous and exaggerated imitation of a serious work; a type of theatrical entertainment involving comedy and parody.
Example
The play was a clever burlesque of traditional opera.
C1 noun /buːn/

boon

Meaning
A thing that is helpful or beneficial.
Example
The internet is a boon to modern education.
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.
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.
C1 adjective /bræʃ/

brash

Meaning
self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overconfident way
Example
His brash comments offended many people at the meeting.
A2 adjective /ˈbroʊkən/

Broken

Meaning
damaged; not working; fractured
Example
The broken window needs to be replaced immediately.
C1 noun /ˈbroʊkərɪdʒ/

brokerage

Meaning
A firm that acts as an intermediary between buyers and sellers, often charging a fee.
Example
The real estate brokerage helped them find a new home.
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.
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.
C2 verb /bɪˈdɔːb/

bedaub

Meaning
to smear or cover with a sticky or dirty substance
Example
The children bedaubed the wall with paint.
C2 adjective /boʊˈhiːmiən/

bohemian

Meaning
unconventional, artistic, and free-spirited in lifestyle or appearance
Example
She decorated her apartment in a bohemian style with colorful fabrics.
C2 adjective /ˌbækəˈneɪliən/

bacchanalian

Meaning
Characterized by or involving drunken revelry.
Example
The students threw a bacchanalian party after the exams.
C1 adjective /ˈbleɪmləs/

blameless

Meaning
innocent of wrongdoing; not deserving blame
Example
She remained calm and blameless throughout the investigation.
B2 adjective /bliːk/

bleak

Meaning
cold, miserable, or without hope
Example
The future seemed bleak after the economic downturn.
C2 verb /bɪˈleɪbə/

belabour

Meaning
to explain something repeatedly or with excessive detail; to criticize or attack verbally at length
Example
The teacher did not belabour the point once the students understood it.
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.
B2 noun /brum/

Broom

Meaning
a long-handled brush of bristles or twigs, used for sweeping
Example
She used an old broom to sweep the fallen leaves from the porch.
C1 adjective /bɪˈfɪt.ɪŋ/

Befitting

Meaning
appropriate; suitable; proper for a particular situation or person
Example
He wore formal attire befitting the important occasion.
C2 verb /bɪˈtaɪd/

betide

Meaning
to happen or occur, usually of something that befalls someone
Example
Woe betide anyone who breaks the rules.
C2 adjective /ˈbeɪlfəl/

baleful

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

banish

Meaning
to send someone away from a place as punishment; to get rid of
Example
The king banished the traitor from the kingdom.
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.
C1 adjective /bəˈnɑːl/ or /ˈbeɪnəl/

banal

Meaning
Lacking originality; boringly obvious and commonplace.
Example
His speech was full of banal clichés.
A2 noun /ˈbæskɪt/

basket

Meaning
a container made of woven materials used for carrying or storing things
Example
She carried the apples in a basket.
B2 noun /bɪd/

Bid

Meaning
an offer to pay a certain amount for something; an attempt to obtain or achieve something
Example
She made a bid for the antique vase at the auction.
A2 noun /belt/

Belt

Meaning
a strip of leather or cloth worn around the waist to support clothes or for decoration
Example
He tightened his belt before going for a run.
C2 verb /bɪˈfɒɡ/

befog

Meaning
to confuse or make unclear; to cover with fog or mist
Example
His mind was befogged by exhaustion.
A1 noun /bed/

Bed

Meaning
a piece of furniture for sleep or rest, typically a framework with a mattress
Example
She made her bed every morning before going to work.
B1 noun /ˈbɒksər/

boxer

Meaning
a person who fights in the sport of boxing; a type of short loose-fitting underwear; a breed of medium-to-large dog
Example
The boxer trained hard every morning before the championship match.
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 /ˈbrɒŋkəs/

bronchus

Meaning
either of the two main branches of the trachea that lead directly into the lungs
Example
The left bronchus carries air into the left lung.
B2 noun /beɪ/

Bay

Meaning
a broad inlet of the sea where the land curves inward
Example
The boats are anchored in the bay.
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.
A2 noun /ˈbætəri/

battery

Meaning
A device that stores and provides electrical energy; also refers to a group of similar things or repeated blows.
Example
The phone battery ran out after a long day.
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.