English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples
A person who loves or collects books.
"She is a true bibliophile who spends weekends at old bookstores."
Excessively fond of drinking alcohol.
"His bibulous habits worried his family."
Having two branches or chambers, especially in a legislature.
"The United States has a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives."
To argue or quarrel about trivial matters.
"The children began to bicker over the last piece of cake."
a vehicle with two wheels that you ride by pedaling
"He rides his bicycle to school every day."
to offer a certain amount of money for something, especially at an auction
"She bid $200 for the antique vase."
to wait patiently for the right time or opportunity
"He decided to bide his time before making a move."
happening every two years
"The biennial festival attracts thousands of visitors."
a frame or stand on which a coffin or body is placed before burial or cremation
"The coffin was placed on the bier during the funeral service."
to divide into two branches or parts
"The road bifurcates into two separate paths at the hill."
Divided into two branches or parts.
"The river became bifurcated as it flowed around the island."
large in size, extent, or importance
"They moved into a big house with plenty of space."
a large, round, shallow container used for serving food, mixing ingredients, or washing
"She mixed the ingredients in a big bowl."
A person who commits the crime of marrying someone while already married to another.
"The man was arrested for being a bigamist."
The act of marrying one person while still legally married to another.
"He was charged with bigamy after his second marriage was discovered."
largest in size, amount, degree, or importance; superlative form of big
"This is the biggest challenge we have ever faced."
A bend or curve in a geographical feature, especially a coastline, or a loop in a rope.
"The sailors anchored in the calm waters of the bight."
A person who is intolerant toward those holding different opinions or beliefs.
"He was called a bigot for refusing to listen to others' views."
Intolerance toward those who hold different opinions or lifestyles.
"Her bigotry prevented her from accepting people with different beliefs."
a bicycle or motorcycle; to ride a bicycle
"He biked to school every day."
Involving two sides, parties, or countries.
"The two nations signed a bilateral trade agreement."
Negotiations or discussions between two parties, typically countries or organizations.
"Bilateral negotiations resolve disputes."
a bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid that aids digestion and is secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder
"The liver produces bile to help digest fats."
Able to speak two languages fluently.
"She grew up in a bilingual household speaking both English and Spanish."
Relating to bile or an ill-tempered, irritable disposition.
"He became bilious after hearing the unfair criticism."
To cheat or defraud someone of money or rights.
"The scammer tried to bilk elderly people out of their savings."
a written statement of money owed for goods or services; also a proposed law presented to a legislature
"He received the electricity bill yesterday."
Coarse or abusive language; vulgar or offensive speech.
"The heated argument quickly descended into billingsgate."
the number 1,000,000,000 (one thousand million)
"The company is worth more than a billion dollars."
To swell or rise in large waves or surges; to flow outward in a rolling motion.
"Smoke billowed from the burning building."
Describing something that swells or surges outward in waves or large masses.
"She walked through the billowing curtains."
A period of two months.
"The academic program is divided into six bimesters."
to tie or fasten tightly; to unite or restrict
"The contract will bind both parties to the agreement."
biographical data; a resume or curriculum vitae containing personal and professional information
"Please submit your bio-data along with the job application."
The degree and rate at which a substance is absorbed or becomes available at the site of physiological activity.
"Vitamin C enhances the bioavailability of iron in the diet."
A chemical substance or microorganism intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, or exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism.
"Biocides help control pests and reduce the spread of diseases."
Able to decay naturally and in a way that is not harmful.
"Using biodegradable products reduces environmental pollution."
The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
"Deforestation is a major threat to biodiversity."
The protection and conservation of the variety of life in all its forms, including different species, genetic diversity, and ecosystems.
"Biodiversity preservation is critical for ecological balance."
A fuel derived immediately from living matter, as opposed to fossil fuels derived from long-dead biological matter.
"Biofuels reduce dependence on conventional energy sources."
A written account of a person's life; an early motion-picture projector (historical use).
"The library holds an old biograph of the poet."
A written account of someone's life.
"She is writing a biography of the famous poet."
relating to the science of biology or to life and living organisms
"She is studying biological sciences at university."
The scientific study of living organisms.
"Biology explains how plants and animals function."
The use of living organisms to neutralize or remove environmental contaminants.
"Bioremediation helps remove toxins from polluted soil."
the regions of the surface and atmosphere of the earth occupied by living organisms
"Climate change is affecting the entire biosphere."
An animal that walks on two feet.
"Humans are examples of biped creatures."
a warm-blooded animal with feathers and wings that usually lays eggs and can often fly
"A bird was singing on the tree branch."
the process of being born; the start of life
"The birth of a child brings joy to the whole family."
the anniversary of the day on which a person was born, typically celebrated annually
"We are planning a surprise birthday party for her."