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Оглавлениеbabble babbles, babbling, babbled
VERB If someone babbles, they talk in a quick and confused way that is difficult to understand.
baboon baboons
NOUN an African monkey with a pointed face, large teeth and a long tail
baby babies
NOUN a child in the first year or two of its life
baby-sit baby-sits, baby-sitting, baby-sat
VERB If you baby-sit for someone, you look after their children while they are out.
bachelor bachelors
NOUN a man who has never been married
back backs, backing, backed
ADVERB 1 When people or things move back, they move in the opposite direction to the one they are facing.
2 When you go back to a place or situation, you return to it. • She went back to sleep.
NOUN 3 the rear part of your body
ADJECTIVE 4 The back parts of something are the ones at the rear. • the dog’s back legs
VERB 5 If a building backs on to something, the back of it faces in that direction.
backbone backbones
NOUN the column of linked bones along the middle of the back of a human and other vertebrates
background backgrounds
NOUN 1 the things in a picture or scene that are less noticeable than the main things
2 the kind of home you come from, and your education and experience
backstroke
NOUN a style of swimming movement on your back
backward
ADJECTIVE If you take a backward look, you look behind you.
backwards
ADVERB 1 If you move backwards, you move to a place behind you.
2 If you do something backwards, you do it opposite to the usual way. • He told them to count backwards from 20 to 5.
bacon
NOUN meat from the back or sides of a pig, which has been salted or smoked
bacteria
PLURAL NOUN very tiny organisms that can cause disease
[from Greek bakterion meaning little rod; some bacteria are rod-shaped]
bacterial ADJECTIVE
bad worse, worst
ADJECTIVE 1 Bad things are harmful or upsetting. • I have some bad news.
SYNONYMS: distressing, grave, terrible
2 not enough or of poor quality • We thought the film was very bad.
3 Bad food is not fresh.
SYNONYMS: rotten, decayed
badge badges
NOUN a piece of plastic or metal with a design or message on it that you can pin to your clothes
badger badgers, badgering, badgered
NOUN 1 a nocturnal mammal that has a white head with two black stripes on it
VERB 2 If you badger someone, you keep asking them questions or pestering them to do something.
badly worse, worst
ADVERB 1 not well, poorly • The script was badly written.
2 seriously • She was badly hurt in the accident.
badminton
NOUN a game in which two or four players use rackets to hit a feathered object, called a shuttlecock, over a high net
bag bags
NOUN a container for carrying things in
[From Old Norse baggi meaning bundle]
baggage
NOUN Your baggage is all the suitcases, holdalls and bags that you take with you when you travel.
bagpipes
PLURAL NOUN a musical instrument played by squeezing air out of a leather bag and through pipes
baguette baguettes
NOUN a long, thin French loaf of bread
bail bails
NOUN 1 In cricket, the bails are the two small pieces of wood placed on top of the stumps to form the wicket.
2 a sum of money paid to a court to allow an accused person to go free until the time of the trial • The accused man was released on bail.
bait baits, baiting, baited
NOUN 1 a small amount of food placed on a hook, or in a trap, to attract and catch a fish or wild animal
VERB 2 If you bait a hook or a trap, you put some food on it to catch a fish or wild animal.
bake bakes, baking, baked
VERB 1 When you bake food, you cook it in an oven without using extra liquid or fat.
2 If you bake earth or clay, you heat it until it becomes hard.
baker bakers
NOUN a person who makes and sells bread and cakes
balance balances, balancing, balanced
VERB 1 When someone or something balances, they remain steady and do not fall over.
2 used in mathematics when weighing and comparing two weights. If two weights are equal, they balance.
NOUN 3 the state of being upright and steady • She lost her balance and fell.
4 the amount of money in someone’s bank account
balcony balconies
NOUN 1 a platform on the outside of a building, with a wall or railing round it
2 an area of upstairs seats in a theatre or cinema
bald balder, baldest
ADJECTIVE A bald person has little or no hair on their head.
[from Middle English ballede meaning having a white patch]
bale bales, baling, baled
NOUN 1 a large bundle of something, such as paper or hay, tied tightly
VERB 2 If you bale water from a boat, you remove it using a container; also spelt bail.
ball balls
NOUN 1 a round object used in games such as tennis, soccer, and hockey
2 The ball of your foot or thumb is the rounded part where your toes join your foot or your thumb joins your hand.
ballad ballads
NOUN 1 a long song or poem that tells a story
2 a slow, romantic pop song
ballerina ballerinas
NOUN a female ballet dancer
ballet
NOUN a type of artistic dancing based on precise steps
[from Italian balletto meaning little dance]
balloon balloons
NOUN 1 a small bag made of thin rubber that you blow into until it becomes larger. Balloons are often used as party decorations.
2 a large, strong bag filled with gas or hot air, that travels through the air carrying passengers in a basket underneath it • They went on a hot air balloon flight over the city.
ballpoint ballpoints
NOUN a pen with a small, metal ball at the writing point
bamboo
NOUN a tall tropical grass with hard, hollow stems used for making furniture
ban bans, banning, banned
VERB 1 If you ban something, you forbid it to be done.
SYNONYMS: forbid, prohibit
NOUN 2 If there is a ban on something, it is not allowed.
banana bananas
NOUN a long, curved fruit with a yellow skin
band bands
NOUN 1 a group of musicians who play jazz or pop music together
2 a group of people who share a common purpose
3 a narrow strip of something used to hold things together • She tied her hair back with an elastic band.
bandage bandages
NOUN a strip of cloth wrapped round a wound to protect it
bang bangs, banging, banged
NOUN 1 a sudden, short, loud noise
2 a hard, painful bump against something
VERB 3 If you bang something, you hit it or put it down violently so that it makes a loud noise.
4 If you bang a part of your body against something, you accidentally bump it.
banish banishes, banishing, banished
VERB 1 If someone is banished, they are sent away and never allowed to return.
2 If you banish something from your thoughts, you try not to think about it.
banishment NOUN
banister banisters
NOUN a rail supported by posts up the side of a staircase
banjo banjos or banjoes
NOUN a musical instrument, like a small guitar with a round body
bank banks, banking, banked
NOUN 1 a business that looks after people’s money
2 the raised ground along the edge of a river or lake
VERB 3 If you bank on something happening, you rely on it. • I know we said we’d go swimming, but don’t bank on it.
banner banners
NOUN 1 a long strip of cloth with a message or slogan on it • We saw banners advertising the fair.
ADJECTIVE 2 A banner headline is a headline printed right across the page of a newspaper.
banquet banquets
NOUN a grand, formal dinner, often followed by speeches
[from Old French banquet, originally meaning little bench]
baptism baptisms
NOUN the ceremony in which someone has water sprinkled on them, or they are immersed in water, as a sign that they have become a Christian
baptize baptizes, baptizing, baptized; also spelt baptise
VERB When a church official baptizes someone, they sprinkle water on them, or immerse them in water, as a sign that they have become a Christian.
bar bars, barring, barred
NOUN 1 a long, straight piece of metal
VERB 2 If you bar someone’s way, you stop them going somewhere by standing in front of them.
NOUN 3 a counter or room where alcoholic drinks are served
4 a piece of something made in a rectangular shape • a bar of soap
barbecue barbecues
NOUN 1 a grill with a charcoal fire on which you cook food, usually outdoors
2 an outdoor party where you eat food cooked on a barbecue
[from a Caribbean word meaning framework]
barber barbers
NOUN a man who cuts men’s hair
bar chart bar charts
NOUN a kind of graph where the information is shown in rows or bars
bar code bar codes
NOUN a pattern of lines and numbers on something that is for sale, so that the price can be read by a machine
bare barer, barest
ADJECTIVE 1 If a part of your body is bare, it is not covered by any clothing. • bare feet
SYNONYMS: naked, uncovered
2 If something is bare, it is not covered or decorated with anything. • bare wooden floors
3 The bare minimum, or the bare essentials, means the very least that is needed.
barely
ADVERB If you barely manage to do something, you only just succeed in doing it.
bargain bargains, bargaining, bargained
NOUN 1 an agreement in which two people or groups discuss and agree what each will do, pay or receive
2 something that is sold at a low price and that is good value • The apples are a bargain at this price.
VERB 3 When people bargain with each other, they discuss and agree terms about what each will do, pay or receive.
barge barges, barging, barged
NOUN 1 a boat with a flat bottom used for carrying heavy loads, especially on canals
VERB 2 INFORMAL If you barge into a place, you push into it in a rough or rude way.
bark barks, barking, barked
VERB 1 When a dog barks, it makes a short, loud noise, once or several times.
NOUN 2 the tough material that covers the outside of a tree
barley
NOUN a cereal that is grown for food and is also used for making beer and whisky
bar mitzvah
NOUN A Jewish boy’s bar mitzvah is a ceremony that takes place on his 13th birthday, after which he is regarded as an adult.
barn barns
NOUN a large farm building used for storing crops or animal food
[from Old English beren meaning barley room]
barnacle barnacles
NOUN a small shellfish that fixes itself to rocks and to the bottom of boats
barometer barometers
NOUN an instrument that measures air pressure and shows when the weather is changing
barrel barrels
NOUN 1 a wooden container with rounded sides and flat ends
2 The barrel of a gun is the long tube through which the bullet is fired.
barricade barricades, barricading, barricaded
NOUN 1 a temporary barrier put up to stop people getting past
VERB 2 If you barricade yourself inside a room or building, you put something heavy against the door to stop people getting in.
[from Old French barriquer meaning to block with barrels]
barrier barriers
NOUN a fence or wall that prevents people or animals getting from one area to another
barrister barristers
NOUN a lawyer who is qualified to represent people in the higher courts
barrow barrows
NOUN 1 another word for wheelbarrow
2 a large cart from which fruit or other goods are sold in the street
base bases, basing, based
NOUN 1 the lowest part of something • The waves crashed at the base of the cliffs.
2 The base of a triangle or a square-shaped pyramid is the bottom.
3 a place where part of an army, navy or air force works from
VERB 4 If you base one thing on another, you develop from it. • She based the film on a true story.
5 If you are based somewhere, you live there or work from there. • My dad is based in Cardiff, but spends a lot of time abroad.
baseball
NOUN a team game played with a bat and a ball. It is popular in the USA.
basement basements
NOUN a room or set of rooms below the level of the street • My aunt lives in the basement of our house.
basic
ADJECTIVE 1 The basic aspects of something are the most necessary ones. • The basic ingredients of bread are flour, yeast and water.
2 having only the essentials, and no extras or luxuries
basically ADVERB
basin basins
NOUN 1 a round, wide container which is open at the top
2 A river basin is a bowl of land from which water runs into the river.
basis bases
NOUN If something is the basis of something else, it is the main principle on which it is based, and from which other points and ideas can be developed.
bask basks, basking, basked
VERB If you bask in hot weather, you lie in the sun and enjoy the warmth.
basket baskets
NOUN a container made of thin strips of wood or metal woven together • a shopping basket
basketball
NOUN a game in which two teams try to score goals by throwing a large ball through one of two circular nets that are suspended high up at each end of the basketball court
bass basses
NOUN 1 a man with a very deep singing voice
ADJECTIVE 2 In music, a bass instrument produces a very deep sound. • a bass guitar
bassoon bassoons
NOUN a large woodwind instrument
bat bats, batting, batted
NOUN 1 a specially shaped piece of wood with a handle, used for hitting a ball in games such as table tennis or cricket
2 a small animal like a mouse with leathery wings. Bats fly at night and sleep hanging upside down.
VERB 3 If you are batting in cricket, baseball or rounders, it is your turn to hit the ball.
batch batches
NOUN A batch of things is a group of things that are all the same or are being dealt with at the same time. • They delivered the first batch of books at the start of term.
bath baths
NOUN a long container that you fill with water and sit in to wash yourself
bathe bathes, bathing, bathed
VERB When you bathe in a sea, river or lake, you swim or play there.
bathroom bathrooms
NOUN a room with a bath or shower, a washbasin and often a toilet in it
baton batons
NOUN 1 a light, thin stick that a conductor uses to direct an orchestra or choir
2 a short stick passed from one runner to another at the changeover in a relay race
battalion battalions
NOUN an army unit consisting of three or more companies
batter batters, battering, battered
NOUN 1 a mixture of flour, eggs and milk, used to make pancakes, or to coat food before frying it
VERB 2 When someone or something batters someone or something, they hit them many times. • The waves battered the sides of the ship.
battery batteries
NOUN a device for storing energy and producing electricity, for example in a torch or a car
battle battles
NOUN a fight between armed forces, or a struggle between two people or groups with different aims
battlefield battlefields
NOUN a place where a battle has been fought or is being fought
battlements
PLURAL NOUN the top part of a castle where there are openings through which arrows or guns could be fired
battleship battleships
NOUN a large fighting ship carrying powerful guns
bawl bawls, bawling, bawled
VERB If someone bawls, they shout or cry loudly.
bay bays, baying, bayed
NOUN 1 part of the coastline where the land curves
2 a space or an area used for a particular purpose • a loading bay
3 a tree with dark green leaves. The leaves are used for flavouring food.
VERB 4 When a dog or a wolf bays, it makes a deep, howling sound.
PHRASE 5 If you keep something at bay, you stop it hurting you. • Try eating an orange to keep a cold at bay.
bayonet bayonets
NOUN a sharp blade that can be fixed to the end of a rifle
bazaar bazaars
NOUN 1 an area with many small shops and stalls, especially in Eastern countries
2 a sale to raise money for charity • a Christmas bazaar
[from Persian bazar meaning market]
BC
ADJECTIVE You use BC to show the dates before the birth of Jesus Christ. It is an abbreviation for before Christ.
be am, is, are; being; was, were; been
VERB 1 You can use be with the present participle of other verbs. • Look! I am riding on my own!
2 You can also use be to say that something will happen. • I will be nine in November.
3 You use be to say more about something or somebody. • His name is Tom.
beach beaches
NOUN an area of sand or pebbles beside the sea
beacon beacons
NOUN In the past, a beacon was a light or fire on a hill, which acted as a signal or warning.
bead beads
NOUN 1 a small, shaped piece of glass, stone or wood with a hole through the middle. Beads are strung together with others to make necklaces or bracelets.
2 a drop of liquid • beads of perspiration
beak beaks
NOUN the hard part of a bird’s mouth that sticks out. It is used for pecking up food and for carrying things such as twigs.
beam beams, beaming, beamed
NOUN 1 a long, thick bar of wood or metal, especially one that supports a roof
2 a band of light that shines from something such as a torch or the sun
VERB 3 If you beam, you smile broadly.
bean beans
NOUN the seed or pod of a plant, eaten as a vegetable or used for other purposes • runner beans • coffee beans • soya beans
bear bears, bearing, bore, borne
NOUN 1 a large, strong, wild mammal with thick fur and sharp claws • polar bear • grizzly bear
VERB 2 If someone or something bears something, they carry it or support its weight. • The ice wasn’t thick enough to bear their weight.
3 If something bears a mark or typical feature, it has it. • The room bore all the signs of a violent struggle.
4 If you bear something difficult, you accept it and are able to deal with it. • The loneliness was hard to bear.
beard beards
NOUN the hair that grows on the lower part of a man’s face
beast beasts
NOUN 1 an old-fashioned word for a large, wild animal
2 INFORMAL If you call someone a beast, you mean that they are cruel or spiteful.
beat beats, beating, beat, beaten
VERB 1 If someone or something beats someone or something else, they hit them hard and repeatedly. • The rain was beating against the window.
2 If you beat someone in a race or game, you defeat them or do better than them.
3 When your heart beats, it pumps blood with a regular rhythm.
NOUN 4 the main rhythm of a piece of music or poetry
beautiful
ADJECTIVE very attractive or pleasing
SYNONYM: lovely
beauty beauties
NOUN 1 the quality of being beautiful • the beauty of the stars on a clear night
2 The beauty of an idea or a plan is what makes it attractive or worth doing. • The beauty of going in September is that the sea will be warmer for swimming.
beaver beavers
NOUN a mammal with a big, flat tail and webbed hind feet. Beavers build dams.
because
CONJUNCTION 1 Because is used with other words to give the reason for something. • I went home because I was tired.
PHRASE 2 Because of is used with a noun that gives the reason for something. • I had to stay late because of detention.
beckon beckons, beckoning, beckoned
VERB If you beckon to someone, you make a sign to them with your hand, asking them to come to you.
become becomes, becoming, became, become
VERB If someone or something becomes something else, they start feeling or being that thing. • I became more and more angry.
[from Old English becuman meaning to happen]
bed beds
NOUN 1 a piece of furniture that you lie on when you sleep
2 an area of ground in a garden which has been dug and prepared for planting
3 The bed of the sea or a river is the bottom of it.
bedraggled
ADJECTIVE If a person or animal is bedraggled, they are wet, dirty and messy.
bedroom bedrooms
NOUN a room for sleeping in
bedtime bedtimes
NOUN the time when you go to bed
bee bees
NOUN a winged insect that makes honey. Many types of bee live in large groups.
beech beeches
NOUN a tree with a smooth, grey trunk and shiny leaves
beef
NOUN the meat of a cow, bull or ox
beehive beehives
NOUN a specially designed structure in which bees are kept so that their honey can be collected
been
VERB the past participle of be
beer beers
NOUN an alcoholic drink made from malt and flavoured with hops
beetle beetles
NOUN a flying insect with hard wings that cover its body when it is not flying
[from Old English bitan meaning to bite]
beetroot beetroots
NOUN a round, dark red root vegetable
before
ADVERB, PREPOSITION OR CONJUNCTION If something happens before, it happens earlier than something else. • Can I see you before you go?
ANTONYM: after
beg begs, begging, begged
VERB 1 When people beg, they ask for food or money, because they are very poor.
2 If you beg someone to do something, you ask them very anxiously to do it. • David begged his dad to take him to the cinema.
began
VERB the past tense of begin
begin begins, beginning, began, begun
VERB If you begin something, you start it.
beginner beginners
NOUN someone who has just started to learn something
SYNONYM: learner
beginning beginnings
NOUN The beginning of something is when or where it starts.
begun
VERB the past participle of begin
behalf
PHRASE If you do something on behalf of someone or something, you do it for them or in their name. • We did the sponsored swim on behalf of various charities.
behave behaves, behaving, behaved
VERB 1 If you behave in a particular way, you act in that way. • He knew that he’d behaved badly.
2 If you behave yourself, you act correctly or properly.
behind
PREPOSITION 1 at the back of • The moon disappeared behind a cloud.
2 supporting someone • The whole school was behind him in the competition.
ADVERB 3 If you stay behind, you remain after other people have gone.
4 If you leave something behind, you do not take it with you.
beige
ADJECTIVE a cream-brown colour
being
VERB the present participle of be
belch belches, belching, belched
VERB 1 If you belch, you make a sudden noise in your throat because air has risen up from your stomach.
2 If something belches smoke or fire, it sends it out in large amounts. • Smoke belched from the factory chimneys.
NOUN 3 the noise you make when you belch
belief beliefs
NOUN If you have a belief in something, you are certain that it is right or true.
believe believes, believing, believed
VERB 1 If you believe that something is true, you think that it is true.
2 If you believe someone, you accept that they are telling the truth.
bell bells
NOUN 1 a cup-shaped metal object with a piece inside it called a clapper that hits the side and makes a ringing sound
2 an electrical device that you can ring or buzz to get attention
bellow bellows, bellowing, bellowed
VERB If a human or other animal bellows, they shout very loudly or make a very loud, deep noise like a roar.
belly bellies
NOUN the part of your body, especially your stomach, that holds and digests food
belong belongs, belonging, belonged
VERB 1 If something belongs to you, it is yours and you own it.
2 If you belong to a group, you are a member of it.
3 If something belongs in a particular place, that is where it should be. • That book belongs on the top shelf.
belongings
PLURAL NOUN Your belongings are all the things that you own.
below
PREPOSITION OR ADVERB 1 If something is below something else, it is in a lower position. • We could hear music coming up from the flat two floors below.
ANTONYM: above
2 If something is below a particular amount or level, it is less than it. • below average rainfall
ANTONYM: above
belt belts
NOUN a strip of leather or cloth that you fasten round your waist to hold your trousers or skirt up
bench benches
NOUN a long seat that two or more people can sit on
bend bends, bending, bent
VERB 1 When you bend something, you use force to make it curved or angular.
2 When you bend, you move your head and shoulders forwards and downwards. • I bent over to pick up my glasses.
NOUN 3 a curved part of something • a bend in the road
beneath
PREPOSITION OR ADVERB FORMAL underneath
benefit benefits, benefiting, benefited
NOUN 1 the advantage that something brings to people • the benefit of a good education
VERB 2 If you benefit from something, it helps you. • He’ll benefit from some extra tuition.
[from Latin benefactum meaning good deed]
bent
ADJECTIVE curved or twisted out of shape
bereaved
ADJECTIVE FORMAL You say that someone is bereaved when a close relative of theirs has recently died.
bereavement NOUN
berry berries
NOUN a small, round fruit that grows on bushes or trees
berserk
ADVERB If somebody goes berserk, they lose control of themselves and become extremely violent.
[from Icelandic berserkr meaning a Viking who wore a shirt made from the skin of a bear and who worked himself into a mad frenzy before going into battle]
berth berths
NOUN 1 a space in a harbour where a ship stays when it is being loaded or unloaded
2 In a boat or caravan, a berth is a bed.
PHRASE 3 If you give someone or something a wide berth, you avoid them because they are unpleasant or dangerous.
beside
PREPOSITION If one thing is beside another thing, it is next to it.
besides
ADVERB also or in addition to
best
ADJECTIVE 1 the superlative of good and well • That was one of the best films I’ve ever seen.
ANTONYM: worst
ADVERB 2 The thing that you like best is the thing that you prefer to everything else.
bet bets, betting, bet
VERB If you bet on the result of an event, you will win money if what you bet on happens and lose money if it does not.
betray betrays, betraying, betrayed
VERB If you betray someone who trusts you, you tell people something secret about them.
better
ADJECTIVE 1 the comparative of good and well • I am feeling better today.
2 If you are better after an illness, you are no longer ill.
SYNONYM: cured
between
PREPOSITION OR ADVERB 1 If something is between two other things, it is situated or happens in the space or time that separates them. • He was head teacher between 1989 and 2000.
2 A relationship or a difference between two people or two things is one that involves them both. • the difference between frogs and toads
beware
VERB If you tell someone to beware of something, you are warning them that it might be dangerous or harmful.
bewilder bewilders, bewildering, bewildered
VERB If something bewilders you, it confuses and muddles you so that you can’t understand.
bewilderment NOUN
beyond
PREPOSITION 1 If something is beyond a certain place, it is on the other side of it. • Beyond the mountains was the secret valley.
2 If something is beyond you, you cannot do it or understand it.
bi-
PREFIX added to a word to mean two or twice. For example, someone who is bilingual can speak two languages.
bib bibs
NOUN a piece of cloth or plastic put under a baby’s chin to protect its clothes from stains
Bible Bibles
NOUN the sacred book of the Christian religion • I read about Noah and the Ark in the Bible.
bibliography bibliographies
NOUN a list of books or articles
bicycle bicycles
NOUN a two-wheeled vehicle that you ride by pushing two pedals with your feet
bid bids, bidding, bid
VERB If you bid for something, you offer to buy it for a certain sum of money. • He bid for an old bike at the auction.
big bigger, biggest
ADJECTIVE large or important
ANTONYMS: small, tiny, little
bike bikes
NOUN an abbreviation for bicycle
bikini bikinis
NOUN a small, two-piece swimming costume worn by women
bilingual
ADJECTIVE involving or using two languages • bilingual street signs
[from Latin bis meaning two and lingua meaning tongue]
bill bills
NOUN 1 a written statement of how much is owed for goods or services • a phone bill
2 a formal statement of a proposed new law that is discussed and then voted on in Parliament
3 A bill can be a piece of paper money. • a dollar bill
4 A bird’s bill is its beak.
billiards
NOUN a game in which a long stick called a cue is used to move balls on a table
billion billions
NOUN a thousand million • You can write one billion like this: 1,000,000,000.
billow billows, billowing, billowed
VERB 1 When things made of cloth billow, they swell out and flap slowly in the wind.
2 When smoke or cloud billows, it spreads upwards and outwards.
NOUN 3 a large wave
billy goat billy goats
NOUN a male goat
bin bins
NOUN a container, especially one that you put rubbish in
binary
ADJECTIVE The binary system is a number system used when working with computers. It uses only two digits, 0 and 1.
bind binds, binding, bound
VERB 1 If you bind something, you tie rope or string round it so that it is held firmly.
2 If you bind a wound, you wrap bandages round it.
3 When a book is bound, the pages are joined together and a cover is put on.
bingo
NOUN a game in which players aim to match the numbers that someone calls out with the numbers on the card they have been given
binoculars
PLURAL NOUN an instrument with lenses for both eyes, which you look through in order to see objects far away • They used binoculars for bird watching.
biodegradable
ADJECTIVE Biodegradable materials can be broken down naturally, and so they are not dangerous to the environment.
biography biographies
NOUN the history of someone’s life, written by someone else
biology
NOUN the study of living things
[from Greek bios + logos meaning life study]
birch birches
NOUN a tall, deciduous tree with thin branches and thin bark
bird birds
NOUN an egg-laying animal with feathers, two wings, two legs and a beak
birth births
NOUN Your birth was when you were born.
birthday birthdays
NOUN Your birthday is the anniversary of the date on which you were born.
birthmark birthmarks
NOUN a mark on your skin that has been there since you were born
biscuit biscuits
NOUN a small, flat cake that is crisp and usually sweet
bisect bisects, bisecting, bisected
VERB to divide a line or an area in half
bishop bishops
NOUN a high-ranking clergyman in some Christian Churches
bison
NOUN a large, hairy animal, related to cattle, with a large head and shoulders. Bison used to be very common on the prairies in North America, but they are now almost extinct.
bit bits
VERB 1 the past tense of bite • She bit into the toast.
NOUN 2 A bit of something is a small amount of it.
PHRASE 3 INFORMAL A bit means slightly or to a small extent. • That’s a bit difficult.
bitch bitches
NOUN a female dog
bite bites, biting, bit, bitten
VERB If you bite something, you cut into it with your teeth.
bitter bitterest
ADJECTIVE 1 A bitter taste is sharp and unpleasant.
2 A bitter wind is extremely cold.
3 If you are bitter about something, you feel angry and resentful.
bizarre
ADJECTIVE very strange and weird
SYNONYMS: odd, peculiar
black blacker, blackest
NOUN OR ADJECTIVE the darkest possible colour, like the sky at night when there is no light
blackberry blackberries
NOUN a small, soft black fruit that grows on brambles
blackbird blackbirds
NOUN a common European bird, the male of which has black feathers and a yellow beak
blackboard blackboards
NOUN a dark-coloured board in a classroom, which teachers write on using chalk
blackcurrant blackcurrants
NOUN Blackcurrants are very small, dark, purple fruits that grow in bunches on bushes.
black hole black holes
NOUN the empty space made by the collapse of a star
bladder bladders
NOUN the part of your body where urine is held until it leaves your body
blade blades
NOUN 1 the sharp part of a knife, axe or saw
2 a single piece of grass
blame blames, blaming, blamed
VERB If someone blames a person for something bad that has happened, they believe that person caused it.
SYNONYM: accuse
blank blanker, blankest
ADJECTIVE 1 Something that is blank has nothing on it. • a blank sheet of paper
2 If you look blank, your face shows no feeling or interest.
blanket blankets
NOUN a large rectangle of thick cloth that is put on a bed to keep people warm
[from Old French blancquete meaning little white thing]
blare blares, blaring, blared
VERB to make a loud, unpleasant noise • The radio blared from the flat below.
blast blasts, blasting, blasted
VERB 1 When people blast a hole in something, they make a hole with an explosion. • They’re using dynamite to blast away rocks.
NOUN 2 a big explosion, especially one caused by a bomb
blaze blazes, blazing, blazed
NOUN 1 a large, hot fire
VERB 2 If something blazes, it burns or shines brightly. • The fire blazed in the fireplace.
blazer blazers
NOUN a kind of jacket, often in the colours of a school or sports team
bleach bleaches, bleaching, bleached
NOUN 1 a chemical that is used to make material white or to clean thoroughly and kill germs
VERB 2 If you bleach material or hair, you make it white, usually by using a chemical.
bleak bleaker, bleakest
ADJECTIVE 1 If a place is bleak, it is cold, bare and exposed to the wind. • a bleak mountain top
2 If a situation is bleak, it is bad and seems unlikely to improve.
bleat bleats, bleating, bleated
VERB When sheep or goats bleat, they make a high-pitched cry.
bleed bleeds, bleeding, bled
VERB When you bleed, you lose blood as a result of an injury. • My hand bled a lot after I cut it.
blend blends, blending, blended
VERB 1 When you blend substances, you mix them together to form a single substance. • Blend the butter with the sugar.
2 When colours or sounds blend, they combine in a pleasing way.
bless blesses, blessing, blessed or blest
VERB When a priest blesses people or things, he or she asks God to give his protection to them.
[from Old English bloedsian meaning to sprinkle with sacrificial blood]
blew
VERB the past tense of blow
blind blinds, blinding, blinded
ADJECTIVE 1 Someone who is blind cannot see.
VERB 2 If something blinds you, it stops you seeing, either for a short time or permanently.
NOUN 3 a roll of cloth or paper that you pull down over a window to keep out the light
blindfold blindfolds
NOUN a strip of cloth tied over someone’s eyes to stop them seeing
blink blinks, blinking, blinked
VERB When you blink, you close your eyes quickly for a moment.
bliss
NOUN a state of complete happiness
blissful ADJECTIVE blissfully ADVERB
blister blisters
NOUN a small bubble on your skin containing watery liquid, caused by a burn or rubbing
blizzard blizzards
NOUN a heavy snowstorm with strong winds
bloated
ADJECTIVE Something that is bloated is much larger than normal, often because there is a lot of liquid or gas inside it.
block blocks, blocking, blocked
NOUN 1 a large building containing flats or offices
2 In a town, a block is an area of land with streets on all its sides.
3 a large, rectangular, three-dimensional piece of something
VERB 4 If someone or something blocks a road or channel, they put something across it so that nothing can get through.
SYNONYM: obstruct
block capitals
PLURAL NOUN large upper-case letters. THESE ARE BLOCK CAPITALS.
block graph block graphs
NOUN another name for bar chart
blog blogs, blogging, blogged
NOUN 1 a person’s online diary that they put on the internet so that other people can read it
VERB 2 If you blog about something, you write about it in a blog. • He blogs about cooking and restaurants.
blonde blondes
ADJECTIVE 1 Blonde hair is pale yellow in colour. The spelling blond is used when referring to men.
NOUN 2 A blonde or blond is a person with pale yellow hair.
blood
NOUN the red liquid that is pumped by the heart round the bodies of human beings and other vertebrates
bloodstream
NOUN the flow of blood through your body
bloodthirsty
ADJECTIVE Someone who is bloodthirsty enjoys using or watching violence.
bloom blooms, blooming, bloomed
NOUN 1 a flower on a plant
VERB 2 When a plant blooms, it produces flowers.
blossom blossoms, blossoming, blossomed
NOUN 1 all the flowers that appear on a tree before the fruit
VERB 2 When a tree blossoms, it produces flowers.
blot blots
NOUN a mark made by a drop of liquid, especially ink
blouse blouses
NOUN a light shirt, worn by a girl or a woman
blow blows, blowing, blew, blown
VERB 1 When the wind blows, the air moves.
2 If you blow, you send a stream of air from your mouth.
3 If you blow your nose, you force air out of it through your nostrils in order to clear it.
NOUN 4 If you receive a blow, someone or something hits you.
blow up
VERB 1 If something blows up, it is destroyed by an explosion.
2 If you blow up a balloon or a tyre, you fill it with air.
blubber
NOUN the layer of fat beneath the skin of animals such as whales and seals that protects them from the cold
blue bluer, bluest
ADJECTIVE OR NOUN the colour of the sky on a clear, sunny day
bluebell bluebells
NOUN a woodland plant with blue, bell-shaped flowers
bluff bluffs, bluffing, bluffed
NOUN 1 an attempt to make someone believe that you will do something when you do not really intend to do it
VERB 2 If you are bluffing, you are trying to make someone believe that you are in a strong position when you are not.
[from Dutch bluffen meaning to boast]
blunder blunders, blundering, blundered
NOUN 1 a silly mistake
VERB 2 If you blunder, you make a silly mistake.
blunt blunter, bluntest
ADJECTIVE 1 A blunt object has a rounded point or edge, rather than a sharp one. • My pencil was blunt so I could not write with it.
2 If you are blunt, you say exactly what you think, without trying to be polite.
SYNONYMS: outspoken, straightforward
blur
NOUN If something is a blur, you can’t see it clearly. • The mountain was a blur through the mist.
blurb blurbs
NOUN the description of a book printed on the back cover
blurt out blurts out, blurting out, blurted out
VERB If you blurt out something, you say it suddenly, after trying to keep it a secret.
blush blushes, blushing, blushed
VERB If you blush, your face becomes red, because you are embarrassed or ashamed.
[from Old English blyscan meaning to glow]
boa boas
NOUN a large snake that kills its prey by coiling round it and crushing it
boar boars
NOUN 1 a male wild pig
2 a male domestic pig used for breeding
board boards, boarding, boarded
NOUN 1 a long, flat piece of wood
2 a flat piece of wood, plastic or cardboard, which is used for a particular purpose • a chessboard • a surfboard
3 the group of people who control a company or organization • My mum is on the board of governors.
4 the meals provided when you stay in a hotel or guesthouse • The price includes full board.
VERB 5 If you board a ship or aircraft, you get on it or in it.
PHRASE 6 If you are on board a ship or aircraft, you are on it or in it.
Do not confuse board with bored.
boarder boarders
NOUN 1 a pupil who lives at school during term
2 a lodger
boast boasts, boasting, boasted
VERB If you boast, you talk proudly about what you have or what you can do.
SYNONYM: brag
boat boats
NOUN a small vehicle for travelling across water
body bodies
NOUN 1 Your body is all of you, from your head to your feet.
2 You can say body when you mean just the main part of a human or other animal, not counting head, arms and legs.
bodyguard bodyguards
NOUN a person employed to protect someone
bog bogs
NOUN an area of wet, spongy ground
boil boils, boiling, boiled
VERB 1 When a hot liquid boils, or when you boil it, it starts to bubble and to give off steam.
2 When you boil food, you cook it in boiling water.
boiler boilers
NOUN a piece of equipment that burns fuel to provide hot water
boisterous
ADJECTIVE Someone who is boisterous is noisy and lively.
SYNONYMS: loud, rowdy
boisterously ADVERB
bold bolder, boldest
ADJECTIVE 1 brave or confident • He was bold enough to ask for her autograph.
2 clear and noticeable • The sign was painted in bold colours.
[from Old Norse ballr meaning dangerous or terrible]
bollard bollards
NOUN a short, thick post used to stop vehicles from entering a road
bolt bolts, bolting, bolted
NOUN 1 a metal object that screws into a nut and is used to fasten things together
VERB 2 If you bolt one thing to another, you fasten them together using a bolt. • They bolted the chair to the floor.
3 If you bolt a door or window, you slide a metal bar across in order to fasten it.
bomb bombs, bombing, bombed
NOUN 1 a container filled with material that explodes when it hits something or when it is set off by a timer
VERB 2 If you bomb something, you attack it with a bomb.
[from Greek bombos meaning a booming sound]
bond bonds
NOUN a close relationship between people • the bond between mothers and babies
bone bones
NOUN the hard parts that form the framework of a person’s or animal’s body
bonfire bonfires
NOUN a large fire made outdoors, to burn rubbish or to celebrate something
[from bone + fire – bones were used as fuel in the Middle Ages]
bonnet bonnets
NOUN 1 the metal cover over a car’s engine
2 a baby’s or woman’s hat tied under the chin
bonus bonuses
NOUN 1 an amount of money added to a person’s usual pay
2 a good thing that you get in addition to something else
bony bonier, boniest
ADJECTIVE Bony people or animals are very thin, with not much flesh covering their bones.
book books, booking, booked
NOUN 1 a number of pages held together inside a cover
VERB 2 When you book something, you arrange to have it or use it at a particular time. • Mum booked two rooms at the hotel.
bookcase bookcases
NOUN a piece of furniture where you keep books
booklet booklets
NOUN a small book with a paper cover
boom booms, booming, boomed
NOUN 1 a deep, echoing sound
2 a fast increase in something • There has been a boom in the sale of sun cream this summer.
VERB 3 If something booms, it makes a loud booming sound. • We heard the foghorn boom in the distance.
boomerang boomerangs
NOUN a curved, wooden missile that can be thrown so that it returns to the thrower. Boomerangs were traditionally used as weapons by Australian Aborigines.
boost boosts, boosting, boosted
VERB If someone boosts something, they improve or increase it. • The teacher boosted Juliet’s confidence when she praised her story.
boot boots
NOUN 1 strong shoes that come up over your ankle, and sometimes your calf
2 the covered space in a car, usually at the back, for carrying things in
booth booths
NOUN 1 a small, partly-enclosed area • a telephone booth
2 a stall where you can buy things, for example at a market or a fair
border borders
NOUN 1 the dividing line between two countries
2 a strip or band round the edge of something
3 flower beds round the edges of a garden
borderline borderlines
NOUN If someone or something is on the borderline, they are on the division between two different categories.
bore bores, boring, bored
VERB 1 If something bores you, you find it dull and uninteresting.
2 If you bore a hole in something, you make it using a tool such as a drill.
3 the past tense of bear
NOUN 4 someone or something that bores you
bored
ADJECTIVE If you are bored, you are miserable because you have nothing interesting to do.
Do not confuse bored with board.
boring
ADJECTIVE dull and uninteresting
ANTONYM: interesting
born
VERB When an animal such as a human baby is born, it comes out of its mother’s body and starts to live.
borrow borrows, borrowing, borrowed
VERB If you borrow something that belongs to someone else, they let you have it for a period of time. • I borrowed a book from my friend.
boss bosses, bossing, bossed
NOUN 1 Someone’s boss is the person in charge of the place where they work.
VERB 2 If someone bosses you, they keep telling you what to do.
bossy bossier, bossiest
ADJECTIVE If you are bossy, you like to order other people around.
botany
NOUN the study and classification of plants
both
ADJECTIVE OR PRONOUN Both is used when saying something about two things or two people. • You can both come to my party.
bother bothers, bothering, bothered
VERB 1 If you don’t bother to do something, you don’t do it because it takes too much effort or it’s not important.
2 If something bothers you, you are worried about it.
3 If you are not bothered about something, you don’t care about it.
4 If you bother someone, you interrupt them when they are busy.
NOUN 5 trouble, fuss or difficulty • Mum’s having a bit of bother with the car.
bottle bottles, bottling, bottled
NOUN 1 a glass or plastic container for keeping liquids in
VERB 2 If you bottle something, you put it in a bottle to store it.
bottom bottoms
NOUN 1 the lowest part of something • It sank to the bottom of the pond.
2 Your bottom is the part of your body that you sit on.
bottomless
ADJECTIVE If something is bottomless, it has no bottom or it is very deep.
bough boughs
Rhymes with “cow” NOUN a large branch of a tree
bought
VERB the past tense and past participle of buy
Do not confuse bought with brought.
boulder boulders
NOUN a large, rounded rock
bounce bounces, bouncing, bounced
VERB When an object bounces, it springs back from something after hitting it. • The ball bounced high off the ground.
bound bounds, bounding, bounded
ADJECTIVE 1 If you say that something is bound to happen, you mean that it is certain to happen. • He’s bound to find out.
NOUN 2 a large leap
VERB 3 When humans or other animals bound, they move quickly with large leaps.
boundary boundaries
NOUN the limit of an area
bouquet bouquets
NOUN an attractively arranged bunch of flowers
bout bouts
NOUN 1 something that lasts for a short period of time • I had a bout of flu.
2 a boxing or wrestling match
boutique boutiques
NOUN a small shop that sells fashionable clothes
bow bows, bowing, bowed
Rhymes with “now” VERB 1 When you bow, you bend your body or lower your head as a sign of respect or greeting.
NOUN 2 the movement you make when you bow
3 the front part of a ship
Rhymes with “low” NOUN 4 a knot with two loops and two loose ends • The ribbon was tied in a bow.
5 a long, thin piece of wood with horsehair strings stretched along it, used to play some stringed instruments, such as the violin and the cello
6 a long, flexible piece of wood used for shooting arrows
bowel bowels
NOUN the tubes leading from your stomach, through which waste passes before it leaves your body
[from Latin botellus meaning little sausage]
bowl bowls, bowling, bowled
NOUN 1 a round container with a wide, uncovered top, used for holding liquid or for serving food • a bowl of soup
2 the hollow, rounded part of something • a toilet bowl
VERB 3 When you bowl in cricket and rounders, you throw the ball towards the batsman.
bowling
NOUN a game in which you roll a heavy ball down a narrow track towards a set of wooden objects called pins, and try to knock them down
bowls
NOUN a game in which the players try to roll large wooden balls as near as possible to a small ball
box boxes, boxing, boxed
NOUN 1 a container with a firm base and sides, and usually a lid
VERB 2 If someone boxes, they fight according to special rules.
boxer boxers
NOUN 1 a person who boxes
2 a medium-sized, smooth-haired dog with a flat face
Boxing Day
NOUN the day after Christmas Day
boy boys
NOUN a male child
boyfriend boyfriends
NOUN Someone’s boyfriend is the man or boy with whom they are having a romantic relationship.
bra bras
NOUN a piece of underwear worn by a woman to support her breasts
brace braces, bracing, braced
NOUN 1 an object fixed to something to straighten or support it • I wore a brace on my teeth for two years.
PLURAL NOUN 2 Braces are elastic straps worn over the shoulders to hold trousers up.
VERB 3 If you brace yourself, you stiffen your body to steady yourself. • We braced ourselves as the bus went round the corner.
4 If you brace yourself for something unpleasant, you prepare yourself to deal with it.
bracelet bracelets
NOUN a chain or band worn around someone’s wrist as an ornament
[from Old French bracel meaning little arm]
bracken
NOUN a plant like a large fern that grows on hills and in woods
bracket brackets
NOUN a pair of written marks, ( ), { } or [ ], placed round a word or sentence that is not part of the main text, or to show that the items inside the brackets belong together
brag brags, bragging, bragged
VERB If you brag, you boast about something.
Braille
NOUN a system of printing for blind people in which letters are represented by raised dots that can be felt with the fingers
brain brains
NOUN the organ inside your head that controls your body and enables you to think and feel
brainstorm brainstorms
NOUN 1 a clever idea that you think of suddenly
2 If you have a brainstorm, you become confused and cannot think clearly.
brainy brainier, brainiest
ADJECTIVE clever and good at learning things
brake brakes, braking, braked
NOUN 1 a device for making a vehicle stop or slow down
VERB 2 When drivers brake, they make a vehicle stop or slow down by using its brakes.
bramble brambles
NOUN a wild, trailing bush with thorns, which produces blackberries
branch branches, branching, branched
NOUN 1 part of a tree that grows out from the trunk
2 A branch of a business or organization is one of its offices or shops.
VERB 3 A road that branches off from another road splits off from it to lead in a different direction.
brand brands
NOUN a particular kind or make of something
brandy
NOUN a strong, alcoholic drink, often drunk after a meal
[from Dutch brandewijn meaning burnt wine]
brass
NOUN OR ADJECTIVE 1 a yellow-coloured metal made from copper and zinc
2 In an orchestra, the brass section consists of instruments such as trumpets and trombones.
brave braver, bravest; braves, braving, braved
ADJECTIVE 1 A brave person is willing to do dangerous things and does not show any fear.
SYNONYMS: courageous, daring
VERB 2 If you brave an unpleasant or dangerous situation, you face up to it in order to do something. • We braved the snow to go to the party.
[from Italian bravo meaning courageous or wild]
brawl brawls, brawling, brawled
NOUN 1 a rough fight
VERB 2 When people brawl, they take part in a rough fight.
bread
NOUN a very common food made from flour, and baked in an oven
breadth breadths
NOUN the distance between two sides of something • I can swim the breadth of the pool.
See width
break breaks, breaking, broke, broken
VERB 1 When an object breaks, or when you break it, it becomes damaged or separates into pieces.
2 If you break a rule or promise, you fail to keep it.
3 To break a record means to do better than the previous recorded best. • She broke the record for the long jump.
NOUN 4 a short period during which you rest or do something different
break down
VERB When a machine or a vehicle breaks down, it stops working.
break up
VERB When schools break up, the term ends. • We break up on Thursday.
breakable
ADJECTIVE easy to break
breakdown breakdowns
NOUN If there is a breakdown in a system, it stops working.
breakfast breakfasts
NOUN the first meal of the day
breast breasts
NOUN A woman’s breasts are the two soft, fleshy parts on her chest, which produce milk after she has had a baby.
breast-feed breast-feeds, breast-feeding, breast-fed
VERB If a woman breast-feeds her baby, she feeds it with milk from her breasts.
breath breaths
NOUN 1 the air you take into your lungs and let out again when you breathe • He took a deep breath before jumping into the pool.
PHRASE 2 If you are out of breath, you are breathing with difficulty after doing something energetic.
breathe breathes, breathing, breathed
VERB When you breathe, you take air into your lungs and let it out again.
breathless
ADJECTIVE If you are breathless, you are breathing very fast or with difficulty. • I was breathless after running to catch the bus.
breathlessly ADVERB
breathlessness NOUN
breed breeds, breeding, bred
NOUN 1 a particular type of animal. For example, an Alsatian is a breed of dog.
VERB 2 Someone who breeds animals or plants keeps them in order to produce more animals or plants with particular qualities. • He used to breed dogs for the police.
3 When animals breed, they produce young.
SYNONYM: reproduce
breeze breezes
NOUN a gentle wind
breezy ADJECTIVE
brewery breweries
NOUN a place where beer is made, or a company that makes beer
bribe bribes, bribing, bribed
NOUN 1 a gift or money given to an official to persuade them to allow you to do something
VERB 2 If someone bribes someone else, they give them a bribe.
brick bricks
NOUN a rectangular block of baked clay used in building
bride brides
NOUN a woman who is getting married or who has just got married
bridegroom bridegrooms
NOUN a man on or near his wedding day
bridesmaid bridesmaids
NOUN a woman or girl who helps a bride on her wedding day
bridge bridges
NOUN 1 a structure built over a river, road or railway so that vehicles and people can cross
2 a card game for four players
bridle bridles
NOUN a set of straps round a horse’s head and mouth, which the rider uses to control the horse
brief briefer, briefest; briefs, briefing, briefed
ADJECTIVE 1 Something that is brief lasts only a short time. • We only had time for a brief visit.
VERB 2 When you brief someone on a task, you give them all the necessary instructions or information about it.
briefcase briefcases
NOUN a small, flat case for carrying papers
bright brighter, brightest
ADJECTIVE 1 strong and startling • a bright light
SYNONYMS: brilliant, dazzling
2 clever • That’s a bright idea.
SYNONYMS: intelligent, quick
brighten brightens, brightening, brightened
VERB If something brightens, it becomes brighter.
brighten up
VERB If you brighten up something, you make it look brighter and more attractive.
brilliant
ADJECTIVE 1 A brilliant person is extremely clever.
2 INFORMAL Something that is brilliant is extremely good or enjoyable.
3 A brilliant colour or light is extremely bright.
brim brims
NOUN 1 the wide part of a hat that sticks outwards from the head
2 If a container is filled to the brim, it is filled right to the top.
bring brings, bringing, brought
VERB If you bring something or someone with you when you go to a place, you take them with you.
bring up
VERB When someone brings up children, they look after them while they grow up.
brink
NOUN 1 the edge of a deep hole, cliff or ravine
PHRASE 2 If you are on the brink of something, you are about to do it. • They were on the brink of discovering a cure for the common cold.
brisk brisker, briskest
ADJECTIVE 1 quick and energetic • a brisk walk
2 If someone’s manner is brisk, it shows that they want to get things done quickly and efficiently.
briskly ADVERB briskness NOUN
bristle bristles, bristling, bristled
NOUN 1 Bristles are strong animal hairs used to make brushes.
VERB 2 If the hairs on an animal’s body bristle, they rise up because it is frightened.
bristly ADJECTIVE
brittle
ADJECTIVE An object that is brittle is hard but breaks easily.
broad broader, broadest
ADJECTIVE 1 A broad river is wide.
2 The broad outline of a story gives the main points, but no details.
broadband
NOUN a digital system for sending data to and from televisions, computers and telephones • What is the broadband speed like here?
broadcast broadcasts, broadcasting, broadcast
NOUN 1 a programme or announcement on radio or television
VERB 2 When someone broadcasts something, they send it out by radio waves, so that it can be seen on television or heard on radio.
broccoli
NOUN a vegetable with green stalks and green or purple flower buds
brochure brochures
NOUN a booklet that gives information about a product or a service • holiday brochure
broke
VERB 1 the past tense of break
ADJECTIVE 2 If you are broke, you have no money.
broken
ADJECTIVE A broken object is damaged in some way.
bronchitis
NOUN an illness in which the tubes connecting your windpipe to your lungs become infected, making you cough
brontosaurus brontosauruses
NOUN a very large, plant-eating dinosaur
bronze
NOUN a yellowish-brown metal that is a mixture of copper and tin
brooch brooches
Rhymes with “coach” NOUN a piece of jewellery with a pin at the back for attaching to clothes
brood broods, brooding, brooded
NOUN 1 a family of baby birds
VERB 2 If you brood about something, you are worried about it and can’t stop thinking about it.
brook brooks
NOUN a stream
broom brooms
NOUN a long-handled brush
brother brothers
NOUN Your brother is a boy or man who has the same parents as you.
brother-in-law brothers-in-law
NOUN Someone’s brother-in-law is the brother of their husband or wife, or their sister’s husband.
brought
VERB the past tense and past participle of bring
Do not confuse brought with bought.
brown browner, brownest
ADJECTIVE OR NOUN the colour of earth or wood
Brownie Brownies
NOUN a junior member of the Girl Guides
bruise bruises, bruising, bruised
NOUN 1 a purple mark that appears on your skin after something has hit it
VERB 2 If something bruises you, it hits you so that a bruise appears on your skin.
brunette brunettes
NOUN a girl or a woman with dark brown hair
brush brushes, brushing, brushed
NOUN 1 an object with bristles. There are brushes for cleaning things, painting or tidying your hair.
VERB 2 If you brush something, you clean it or tidy it with a brush.
Brussels sprout Brussels sprouts
NOUN a vegetable that looks like a tiny cabbage
brutal
ADJECTIVE Brutal behaviour is violent and cruel.
brutally ADVERB brutality NOUN
bubble bubbles, bubbling, bubbled
NOUN 1 a ball of air in a liquid
VERB 2 When a liquid bubbles, bubbles form in it.
buck bucks, bucking, bucked
NOUN 1 the male of various animals, including deer and rabbits
VERB 2 If a horse bucks, it jumps into the air with all four feet off the ground.
bucket buckets
NOUN a deep, round container with an open top and a handle
buckle buckles, buckling, buckled
NOUN 1 a fastening on the end of a belt or strap
VERB 2 If you buckle a belt or strap, you fasten it.
3 If metal buckles, it crumples up.
bud buds
NOUN a small, tight swelling on a tree or plant, which develops into a flower or leaf
Buddhist
NOUN someone who follows the religious teachings of Buddha, who taught in India in the fifth century. Buddhists believe that the way to end suffering is by overcoming our desires.
Buddhism NOUN
budgerigar budgerigars
NOUN a small, brightly-coloured pet bird. Budgerigars originated in Australia.
[an Australian Aboriginal name, from budgeri + gar meaning good cockatoo]
budget budgets, budgeting, budgeted
NOUN 1 a plan showing how much money will be available and how it will be spent
VERB 2 If you budget for something, you plan how you use your money carefully, so as to be able to afford what you want.
buffalo buffaloes
NOUN 1 a wild animal like a large cow with long curved horns
2 another word for bison
buffet buffets
NOUN 1 a café at a station or on a train
2 a meal at which people serve themselves
bug bugs, bugging, bugged
NOUN 1 a small insect, especially one that causes damage
2 an infection or virus that makes you ill
3 a small error in a computer programme that stops it working properly
VERB 4 If a place is bugged, tiny microphones are hidden there to pick up what people are saying.
build builds, building, built
VERB If you build something, you make it from all its parts.
builder builders
NOUN a person whose job is to build buildings
building buildings
NOUN a structure with walls and a roof
bulb bulbs
NOUN 1 the glass part of an electric lamp
2 an onion-shaped root from which a flower or plant grows. Tulips and daffodils are grown from bulbs.
[from Greek bolbos meaning onion]
bulge bulges, bulging, bulged
VERB 1 If something bulges, it swells out.
NOUN 2 a lump on a normally flat surface
bulk bulks
NOUN 1 a large mass of something
PHRASE 2 If you buy something in bulk, you buy it in large quantities.
bulky bulkier, bulkiest
ADJECTIVE Something that is bulky is large and heavy and sometimes difficult to move.
bull bulls
NOUN the male of some animal species including cattle, elephants and whales
bulldozer bulldozers
NOUN a powerful tractor with a broad blade in front, which is used for moving earth or knocking things down
bullet bullets
NOUN a small piece of metal fired from a gun
bulletin bulletins
NOUN a short news report on radio or television
bullion
NOUN gold or silver bars
bullock bullocks
NOUN a young male bull that is reared for meat
bully bullies, bullying, bullied
NOUN 1 someone who uses their strength or power to hurt or frighten other people
VERB 2 If someone bullies you into doing something, they make you do it by using force or threats.
[a sixteenth-century word meaning fine fellow or hired ruffian]
bump bumps, bumping, bumped
VERB 1 If you bump into something, you knock into it accidentally.
NOUN 2 a soft noise made by something knocking into something else
3 a raised, uneven part of a surface
SYNONYMS: bulge, lump
bumper bumpers
NOUN a bar on the front or back of a vehicle that protects it if it bumps into something
bumpy bumpier, bumpiest
ADJECTIVE Something that is bumpy has a rough, uneven surface. • a bumpy road
bun buns
NOUN a small, round bread roll or cake
bunch bunches
NOUN a group of things together • a bunch of flowers
bundle bundles, bundling, bundled
NOUN 1 a number of things tied together or wrapped up in a cloth
VERB 2 If you bundle someone or something somewhere, you push them there quickly and roughly.
bungalow bungalows
NOUN a one-storey house
[from Hindi bangla meaning house]
bunk bunks
NOUN a bed fixed to a wall in a ship or caravan
bunk beds
PLURAL NOUN two beds fixed together, one above the other
buoy buoys
NOUN a floating object anchored to the bottom of the sea, marking a channel or warning of danger
buoyancy
NOUN Something that has buoyancy is able to float in liquid or in the air.
buoyant
ADJECTIVE 1 Something that is buoyant is able to float.
2 Someone who is buoyant is lively and cheerful.
burden burdens
NOUN a heavy load
burger burgers
NOUN a flat fried cake of meat, vegetables or cheese, served in a bread roll
burglar burglars
NOUN someone who breaks into buildings and steals things
burgle VERB
burn burns, burning, burned or burnt
VERB 1 If something is burning, it is on fire.
2 To burn something means to damage or destroy it with fire.
3 People often burn fuel, such as coal, to keep warm.
NOUN 4 A burn is an injury caused by fire or by something hot.
You can write either burned or burnt as the past form of burn.
burqa burqas; also spelt burka
Said “bur-ka” NOUN a long garment worn by some Muslim women in public, covering everything except the eyes
burrow burrows, burrowing, burrowed
NOUN 1 a tunnel or hole in the ground dug by a small animal
VERB 2 When an animal burrows, it digs a burrow.
burst bursts, bursting, burst
VERB 1 When something bursts, or when you burst it, it splits open suddenly.
2 When you burst into a room, you enter suddenly and with force.
NOUN 3 A burst of something is a sudden short period of it. • a burst of applause
bury buries, burying, buried
VERB 1 If you bury something, you put it in a hole in the ground and cover it with earth.
2 If something is buried under something, it is covered by it. • My trainers were buried under a pile of clothes.
bus buses
NOUN a large motor vehicle that carries passengers
[from Latin omnibus meaning for all]
bush bushes
NOUN 1 a large plant, smaller than a tree and with a lot of woody branches
2 In Australia and South Africa, an uncultivated area outside a town or city is called the bush.
3 In New Zealand, the bush is land covered by rainforest.
bushy bushier, bushiest
ADJECTIVE Bushy hair or fur grows very thickly. • My dad has bushy eyebrows.
business businesses
NOUN 1 work relating to the buying and selling of goods and services
2 an organization that produces or sells goods, or provides a service
SYNONYMS: company, firm, organization
busker buskers
NOUN someone who sings or plays music in public places for money
bus stop bus stops
NOUN a place where the bus stops regularly for passengers to get on or off, usually marked with a sign
busy busier, busiest
ADJECTIVE 1 If you are busy, you are doing something and are not free to do anything else. • She was too busy to come to the cinema with us.
2 A busy place is full of people doing things or moving about.
but
CONJUNCTION 1 used to introduce an idea that is opposite to what has gone before • I love cooking, but I hate washing up afterwards.
2 used when you apologize for something • Sorry, but I can’t come to play tomorrow.
PREPOSITION 3 except • There was nothing to eat but potatoes.
butcher butchers
NOUN a shopkeeper who prepares and sells meat
butter
NOUN a soft, fatty food made from cream, which is spread on bread and used in cooking
buttercup buttercups
NOUN a wild plant with bright yellow flowers
butterfly butterflies
NOUN a type of insect with large, colourful wings. Butterflies develop from caterpillars.
buttocks
PLURAL NOUN Your buttocks are the part of your body that you sit on.
[from Old English buttuc meaning rounded slope]
button buttons, buttoning, buttoned
NOUN 1 a small, hard round object sewn on to clothing such as shirts • My new jeans fasten with buttons instead of a zip.
2 a small object on a piece of equipment that you press to make it work • You must push the button down to switch the video on.
VERB 3 If you button a garment, you fasten it using its buttons.
buy buys, buying, bought
VERB If you buy something, you get it by paying money for it.
buzz buzzes, buzzing, buzzed
VERB If something buzzes, it makes a humming sound, like a bee.
buzzer buzzers
NOUN a device that makes a buzzing sound. Buzzers are used to attract attention. • I pressed the door buzzer but nobody was home.
by
PREPOSITION 1 used to show who or what has done something • The announcement was made by the head teacher.
2 used to show how something is done • He cheered us up by taking us to the cinema.
3 next to or near to • They live by the park.
4 before a particular time • We should finish by tea time.
PREPOSITION OR ADVERB 5 going past • We drove by her house.
bypass bypasses
NOUN a road that takes traffic around the edge of a town instead of through the middle • The centre of town is much quieter since they built the bypass.
byte bytes
NOUN a unit of storage in a computer
