bumptious
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C2 adjective /ˈbʌmpʃəs/

bumptious

Meaning
Arrogantly self-assertive or conceited.
Example
The bumptious student interrupted the teacher several times.
C2 verb /bɪˈstraɪd/

bestride

Meaning
To sit or stand astride something; to dominate over.
Example
The statue bestrides the city square.
C2 noun /biˈætɪtjuːd/

beatitude

Meaning
supreme blessedness or happiness, often used in reference to the sayings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount
Example
She felt a state of beatitude after receiving the good news.
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 /ˈbæti/

batty

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

befit

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

belate

Meaning
to delay or make late
Example
Heavy traffic belated our arrival at the party.
C2 verb /bɪˈmjuːz/

bemuse

Meaning
To confuse or puzzle someone.
Example
The complex instructions bemused the new employees.
C2 verb /ˈbɒtənaɪz/

botanize

Meaning
to study plants in their natural environment
Example
They went to the forest to botanize during their vacation.
C2 verb /bɪˈtaɪd/

betide

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

britannia

Meaning
the personification of Britain, often shown as a woman with a helmet and shield
Example
Britannia has been a symbol of Britain since Roman times.
C2 verb /bɪˈwɪtʃ/

bewitch

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

beatific

Meaning
blissfully happy or showing great joy
Example
She had a beatific smile after hearing the good news.
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 adjective /ˈbɛlɪˌkoʊs/

bellicose

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

brigand

Meaning
A member of a gang that ambushes and robs people in forests or mountains; a bandit.
Example
The travelers were attacked by brigands in the mountains.
C2 noun /ˈbʊljən/

bullion

Meaning
Gold or silver in bulk before being coined or made into jewelry.
Example
The bank stores gold bullion in its vaults.
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.
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 /ˈbleɪzən/

blazon

Meaning
to display prominently or vividly
Example
The slogan was blazoned across the banner in bold letters.
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 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.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪliəs/

bilious

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

bestrew

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

boatswain

Meaning
a ship's officer in charge of equipment and the crew
Example
The boatswain supervised the sailors on deck.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪmˌstoʊn/

brimstone

Meaning
Sulfur, especially when considered as fiery and associated with hell or divine punishment.
Example
The preacher spoke of fire and brimstone to warn the congregation.
C2 noun /ˈbærəˌɡræf/

barograph

Meaning
an instrument that records changes in atmospheric pressure
Example
The scientist checked the barograph for pressure variations.
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.
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 /ˈbeɪnfəl/

baneful

Meaning
Causing harm, ruin, or destruction; deadly or poisonous.
Example
His baneful influence ruined the community.
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 verb /bɪˈdaɪzən/

bedizen

Meaning
to dress up or decorate in a showy or tasteless way
Example
She was bedizened with cheap jewelry.
C2 verb /bɪˈfʌdəl/

befuddle

Meaning
to confuse someone completely; to make someone unable to think clearly
Example
The complex instructions befuddled the students.
C2 noun /ˈbɪlɪŋzˌɡeɪt/

billingsgate

Meaning
Coarse or abusive language; vulgar or offensive speech.
Example
The heated argument quickly descended into billingsgate.
C2 verb /bɪˈɡaɪl/

beguile

Meaning
to charm or enchant someone, often in a deceptive way
Example
She beguiled the audience with her storytelling.
C2 noun /ˈbʌskɪn/

buskin

Meaning
A type of thick-soled boot that reaches halfway to the knee; also associated with tragic drama in ancient times.
Example
The actor wore a buskin as part of his classical costume.
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 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 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.
C2 adjective /baɪˈɛniəl/

biennial

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

bombastic

Meaning
using pompous or inflated language with little meaning
Example
The professor’s bombastic lecture impressed no one.
C2 noun /baɪˈmɛstər/

bimester

Meaning
A period of two months.
Example
The academic program is divided into six bimesters.
C2 noun, verb /ˈbɛvəl/

bevel

Meaning
A sloping edge or surface; to cut or shape an edge at an angle.
Example
The carpenter beveled the edges of the table.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪn.dʒəl/

Brinjal

Meaning
a large purple vegetable that is white inside; also called eggplant
Example
My mother cooked brinjal curry for lunch.
C2 verb /bɪˈtəʊkən/

betoken

Meaning
to be a sign or indication of something
Example
Dark clouds betoken an approaching storm.
C2 noun /blɑːtʃ/

blotch

Meaning
a large, irregular spot or stain, often on skin or fabric
Example
His shirt had a red blotch from the spilled juice.
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 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.
C2 adjective /ˈbræsi/

brassy

Meaning
loud and showy in a way that lacks good taste; resembling brass in color or sound
Example
She wore a brassy necklace that caught everyone’s attention.
C2 noun /ˈbloʊˌhɑrd/

blowhard

Meaning
a person who brags a lot or talks in a boastful way
Example
Everyone avoided the blowhard at the party because he wouldn't stop bragging.
C2 noun /ˌbɪbliəʊˈmeɪniə/

bibliomania

Meaning
An extreme obsession with collecting or possessing books.
Example
His bibliomania led him to fill every room with books.
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.
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.
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.
C2 adjective /bjuːˈkɒlɪk/

bucolic

Meaning
Relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.
Example
They enjoyed a bucolic picnic by the river.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪloʊɪŋ/

billowing

Meaning
Describing something that swells or surges outward in waves or large masses.
Example
She walked through the billowing curtains.
C2 noun /bəˈθɪm.ə.tri/

bathymetry

Meaning
The measurement of depth of water in oceans, seas, or lakes.
Example
Bathymetry is essential for understanding oceanic topography.
C2 noun /bɪˈtroʊðəl/

betrothal

Meaning
The formal engagement to be married.
Example
Their betrothal was announced to the whole village.
C2 adjective /ˈblaɪðsəm/

blithesome

Meaning
cheerful, carefree, and full of joy
Example
She entered the room with a blithesome smile that lifted everyone's spirits.
C2 adjective /ˈbɒni/

Bonny

Meaning
cheerful; pretty; attractive
Example
The bonny child played happily in the garden.
C2 adjective /ˌbækəˈneɪliən/

bacchanalian

Meaning
Characterized by or involving drunken revelry.
Example
The students threw a bacchanalian party after the exams.
C2 adjective /beɪˈkoʊniən/

baconian

Meaning
Relating to the philosopher Francis Bacon or his method of scientific reasoning.
Example
The researcher followed a Baconian approach to observation and experimentation.
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.
C2 noun /ˈbeɪlɔːr/

bailor

Meaning
a person who temporarily transfers possession of goods or property to another under a bailment agreement
Example
The bailor entrusted the valuable artwork to the museum for safekeeping.
C2 verb /ˈbaɪfərˌkeɪt/

bifurcate

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

braggadocio

Meaning
boastful or arrogant behavior; empty boasting
Example
His endless braggadocio annoyed everyone at the party.
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.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈbaɪ.fərˌkeɪ.tɪd/

bifurcated

Meaning
Divided into two branches or parts.
Example
The river became bifurcated as it flowed around the island.
C2 noun /bəˈkuːl/

Bakul

Meaning
a fragrant white flower native to South Asia, scientifically known as Mimusops elengi
Example
The sweet fragrance of bakul flowers filled the evening air in the village.
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.
C2 noun /ˈbʌt.ər fɪʃ/

Butter-fish

Meaning
a small, smooth-skinned marine fish
Example
The butter-fish is popular in Bengali cuisine.
C2 verb /ˈbraʊˌbiːt/

browbeat

Meaning
To intimidate or bully someone into doing something
Example
The lawyer tried to browbeat the witness.
C2 noun /ˈbriːtʃɪz/

Breeckes

Meaning
knee-length trousers; short pants
Example
He wore riding breeches for the equestrian event.
C2 adjective /ˈbɑː.bər.əs/

Barbarous

Meaning
extremely cruel; uncivilized; savage
Example
The barbarous treatment of prisoners was condemned by human rights organizations.
C2 adjective /ˈbrɪndl̩d/

brindled

Meaning
Having a brownish or tawny color with streaks or spots of another color.
Example
The farmer owned a brindled cow with distinctive stripes.
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 /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.
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.
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.
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.
C2 verb /bɪˈfɒɡ/

befog

Meaning
to confuse or make unclear; to cover with fog or mist
Example
His mind was befogged by exhaustion.
C2 adjective /bəˈnɛfɪsənt/

beneficent

Meaning
generous or doing good
Example
The beneficent leader donated funds to build a hospital.
C2 noun /ˈbuːbi/

booby

Meaning
a foolish or gullible person; a silly individual
Example
He felt like a booby after making such a simple mistake.
C2 adjective /ˈbrækɪʃ/

brackish

Meaning
Slightly salty, often describing water that is a mix of fresh and seawater.
Example
The river estuary contained brackish water.
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 brəˈvɑː.dəʊ

bravado

Meaning
Show of courage or confidence that is not real.
Example
His bravado masked his nervousness before the performance.
C2 noun /bəˈsuːn/

bassoon

Meaning
a large woodwind instrument with a deep sound
Example
The orchestra featured a beautiful bassoon solo.
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 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.
C2 noun /ˈbɛlfri/

belfry

Meaning
A bell tower, especially one attached to a church or building.
Example
The church belfry housed a large bronze bell.
C2 noun /ˈbaɪpɛd/

biped

Meaning
An animal that walks on two feet.
Example
Humans are examples of biped creatures.
C2 verb /ˈbætn/

batten

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

baleful

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

buffoonery

Meaning
Foolish or ridiculous behavior intended to amuse.
Example
His constant buffoonery irritated the serious audience.
C2 adjective /blaɪð/

blithe

Meaning
Showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered improper or carefree happiness.
Example
She had a blithe disregard for the rules.
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.
C2 verb /blæsˈfiːm/

blaspheme

Meaning
to speak irreverently about God or sacred things
Example
He was accused of blaspheming during the heated argument.
C2 verb /ˈbeɪɪŋ/

baying

Meaning
making a loud, prolonged barking or howling sound, especially of dogs
Example
The baying of the hounds echoed through the forest.
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.
C2 adjective, noun /bɪˈtroʊðd/

betrothed

Meaning
Engaged to be married; a person who is engaged.
Example
She introduced him as her betrothed.
C2 noun /bɒmˈbeɪ dʌk/

Bombay duck

Meaning
a type of lizardfish found in coastal waters, commonly eaten dried and salted in South Asia
Example
Bombay duck is a popular delicacy when dried and fried.
C2 adjective /blɑːˈzeɪ/

blase

Meaning
unimpressed or indifferent to something because it has been experienced so often before
Example
After years of luxury travel, she felt blase about another trip to Paris.
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.
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.
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 ˈbaɪəʊˌsaɪd

biocide

Meaning
A chemical substance or microorganism intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, or exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism.
Example
Biocides help control pests and reduce the spread of diseases.
C2 noun /ˌbeɪˈliː/

bailee

Meaning
a person or party who temporarily receives possession of goods or property from another under a legal agreement
Example
The bailee must take reasonable care of the goods while they are in his possession.
C2 verb /bɪˈlaɪ/

belie

Meaning
To give a false impression of something; to contradict.
Example
His calm face belied his inner anxiety.
C2 verb /ˈblækˌbɔːl/

blackball

Meaning
to exclude someone socially or vote against their membership in a group or club
Example
He was blackballed from the club after the controversy.
C2 verb /biˈætɪfaɪ/

beatify

Meaning
to make blessed or holy, especially in the Roman Catholic Church, to declare a deceased person to be among the blessed
Example
The pope decided to beatify the martyr for his faith and sacrifice.
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.
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 verb /bɪˈleɪbər/

belabor

Meaning
to argue or elaborate on a subject in excessive detail; to attack verbally or physically
Example
The professor belabored the point until the students grew restless.