EN Vocabulary - 3000 Words
Common words beginning B
/ˈbeɪbi/
noun
A very young child.
example - his wife"s just had a babysynonyms - infant, newborn, child, tot, little one
A lover or spouse (often as a form of address)
synonyms - darling, sweetheart, dearest, dear
adjective
Comparatively small or immature of its kind.
example - a baby version of the Oxford Movementsynonyms - miniature, mini, little, small, small-scale, scaled-down, toy, pocket, midget, dwarf, fun-size
verb
Treat (someone) as a baby; pamper or be overprotective towards.
example - her aunt babied her and fussed over her clothessynonyms - pamper, mollycoddle, spoil, cosset, coddle, indulge, overindulge, pet, wait on someone hand and foot, overparent, nanny
/bak/
noun
The rear surface of the human body from the shoulders to the hips.
example - he lay on his back
The side or part of something that is away from the spectator or from the direction in which it moves or faces; the rear.
example - at the back of the hotel is a secluded gardensynonyms - rear, rear side, other side
A player in a team game who plays in a defensive position behind the forwards.
example - their backs showed some impressive running and passingsynonyms - full back, back, sweeper
The grounds of Cambridge colleges which back on to the River Cam.
adverb
In the opposite direction from the one that one is facing or travelling towards.
example - he moved back a pacesynonyms - backwards, behind one, to one"s rear, rearwards
So as to return to an earlier or normal position or condition.
example - she put the book back on the shelf
In or into the past.
example - he made his fortune back in 1955
In return.
example - they wrote back to me
verb
Give financial, material, or moral support to.
example - he had a newspaper empire backing himsynonyms - sponsor, finance, put up the money for, fund, subsidize, underwrite, promote, lend one"s name to, be a patron of, act as guarantor of, support
Walk or drive backwards.
example - I put the car in reverse and backed down the roadsynonyms - reverse, drive backwards, move backwards
Cover the back of (an article) in order to support, protect, or decorate it.
example - a mirror backed with tortoiseshellsynonyms - cover, put a lining in, back, put a backing on, interline, face, panel, inlay, reinforce, encase
Lie behind or at the back of.
example - the promenade is backed by lots of cafes
adjective
Of or at the back of something.
example - the back gardensynonyms - rear
From or relating to the past.
example - she was owed back paysynonyms - past, old, previous, earlier, former, out of date
Directed towards the rear or in a reversed course.
(of a sound) articulated at the back of the mouth.
example - a long back vowel, as in "dance" or "bath"
/ˈbakɡraʊnd/
noun
The part of a picture, scene, or design that forms a setting for the main figures or objects, or appears furthest from the viewer.
example - the house stands against a background of sheltering treessynonyms - surrounding, surroundings, backdrop, backcloth, framework
The circumstances or situation prevailing at a particular time or underlying a particular event.
example - the political and economic backgroundsynonyms - circumstances, context, conditions, situation, environment, milieu, scene, scenario, framework, atmosphere
verb
Form a background to.
example - windswept land backgrounded by the Rockies
Provide with background.
example - the embassy backgrounded American reporters
/ˈbakwədz/
adverb
(of a movement) in the direction of one"s back.
example - Penny glanced backwardssynonyms - towards the rear, rearwards, backward, behind one
(of an object"s motion) back towards the starting point.
example - the tape rolled backwards
In reverse of the usual direction or order.
example - count backwards from twenty to tensynonyms - in reverse, from the highest to lowest, in reverse order
/bakˈtɪərɪəm/
noun
A member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms which have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized nucleus, including some that can cause disease.
example - A urine test can also be used to confirm that the bacteria are the Legionella bacteria.synonyms - illness, ailment, infection, disease, disorder, sickness, affliction, malady, complaint, upset, condition, infirmity, indisposition, malaise
/bad/
adjective
Of poor quality or a low standard.
example - a bad dietsynonyms - substandard, poor, inferior, second-rate, second-class, unsatisfactory, inadequate, unacceptable, not up to scratch, not up to par, deficient, imperfect, defective, faulty, shoddy, amateurish, careless, negligent
Not such as to be hoped for or desired; unpleasant or unwelcome.
example - bad newssynonyms - unpleasant, disagreeable, unwelcome, unfortunate, unfavourable, unlucky, adverse, nasty
Failing to conform to standards of moral virtue or acceptable conduct.
example - the bad guyssynonyms - wicked, sinful, immoral, evil, morally wrong, corrupt, base, black-hearted, reprobate, depraved, degenerate, dissolute, amoral
(of a part of the body) injured, diseased, or painful.
example - a bad backsynonyms - injured, wounded, diseased
(of food) decayed; putrid.
example - everything in the fridge went badsynonyms - rotten, off, decayed, decomposed, decomposing, putrid, putrefied, putrescent, mouldy, mouldering
Regretful, guilty, or ashamed about something.
example - she feels bad about ending their engagementsynonyms - guilty, conscience-stricken, remorseful, guilt-ridden, ashamed, chastened, contrite, sorry, full of regret, regretful, repentant, penitent, shamefaced, self-reproachful, apologetic
Worthless; not valid.
example - he ran up 87 bad chequessynonyms - invalid, worthless
Good; excellent.
synonyms - excellent, wonderful, marvellous, magnificent, superb, splendid, glorious, sublime, lovely, delightful, first-class, first-rate, outstanding
adverb
/ˈbadli/
adverb
In an unsatisfactory, inadequate, or unsuccessful way.
example - England have played badly this yearsynonyms - poorly, incompetently, ineptly, inexpertly, inefficiently, imperfectly, deficiently, defectively, unsatisfactorily, inadequately, incorrectly, faultily, shoddily, amateurishly, carelessly, negligently
Used to emphasize the seriousness of an unpleasant event or action.
example - the building was badly damaged by firesynonyms - severely, gravely, badly, critically, acutely, sorely, grievously, desperately, alarmingly, dangerously, perilously
In a guilty or regretful way.
example - I felt badly about my unfriendliness
/baɡ/
noun
A flexible container with an opening at the top, used for carrying things.
example - he arrived at the children"s ward carrying a bag full of toys for the young patientssynonyms - receptacle, container
One"s particular interest or taste.
synonyms - hobby, pastime, leisure activity, leisure pursuit, recreation, entertainment, diversion, amusement, relaxation
A woman, especially an older one, perceived as unpleasant or unattractive.
A base.
example - He takes a few steps past the bag and the right fielder throws the ball to the shortstop at the bag.
(in southern Africa) a unit of measurement, used especially of grain, equal to 70 kg (formerly 200 lb).
example - A bag (50-kg) of maize now sells for E 95 in the formal market however in the informal market the price ranges from E120-140 per bag.
verb
Put (something) in a bag.
example - customers bagged their own groceries
Succeed in killing or catching (an animal)
example - Mike bagged nineteen codsynonyms - catch, capture, trap, snare, ensnare, land
(of clothes, especially trousers) form loose bulges due to wear.
example - these trousers never bag at the kneesynonyms - sag, hang loosely, bulge, swell, balloon
Fit (a patient) with an oxygen mask or other respiratory aid.
A child"s expression used to make a claim to something.
Abandon or give up on.
Criticize.
synonyms - vilify, disparage, denigrate, defame, run down, impugn, revile, berate, belittle, abuse, insult, slight, attack, speak badly of, speak ill of, speak evil of, pour scorn on, criticize, censure, condemn, decry, denounce, pillory, lambast
/beɪk/
verb
Cook (food) by dry heat without direct exposure to a flame, typically in an oven.
example - they bake their own bread and cakessynonyms - cook, oven-bake, dry-roast, roast, spit-roast, pot-roast
(of the sun or other agency) subject (something) to dry heat, especially so as to harden it.
example - the soil in the desert is baked dry by the fierce heat of the sunsynonyms - scorch, burn, sear, parch, dry, dry up, desiccate, wither, shrivel, fire
noun
A dish consisting of a mixture of ingredients cooked in an oven.
example - a vegetable bake
/ˈbal(ə)ns/
noun
An even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.
example - she lost her balance and fellsynonyms - stability, equilibrium, steadiness, footing
A situation in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.
example - the obligations of political balance in broadcastingsynonyms - fairness, justice, impartiality, egalitarianism, equal opportunity
An apparatus for weighing, especially one with a central pivot, beam, and two scales.
example - The atomic weight of an element - the quantity chemists could weigh with scales and balances - depends on the number of protons and neutrons, which have virtually equal masses.synonyms - scale, scales, weighing machine, weighbridge
A counteracting weight or force.
example - Allow centrifugal force to provide balance while both skates tip onto their left edges in the turn.synonyms - counterbalance, equipoise, counterweight, stabilizer, compensation, recompense, ballast, makeweight
A predominating amount; a preponderance.
example - the balance of opinion was that work was more important than leisure
A figure representing the difference between credits and debits in an account; the amount of money held in an account.
example - he accumulated a healthy balance with the savings bank
verb
Put (something) in a steady position so that it does not fall.
example - a mug that she balanced on her kneesynonyms - steady, stabilize
Offset or compare the value of (one thing) with another.
example - the cost of obtaining such information needs to be balanced against its benefitssynonyms - weigh, weigh up, compare, evaluate, consider, assess, appraise, estimate
Compare debits and credits in (an account) so as to ensure that they are equal.
example - the law requires the council to balance its books each yearsynonyms - compare, contrast, set side by side, juxtapose, weigh against, set against, balance, differentiate, discriminate
/bɔːl/
noun
A solid or hollow spherical or egg-shaped object that is kicked, thrown, or hit in a game.
(in cricket) a delivery of the ball by the bowler to the batsman.
The rounded protuberant part of the foot at the base of the big toe.The rounded protuberant part of the hand at the base of the thumb.
verb
Squeeze or form (something) into a rounded shape.
Have sex with.
(of a flower) fail to open properly, decaying in the half-open bud.
/ban/
verb
Officially or legally prohibit (something)
example - parking is banned around the harbour in summersynonyms - prohibit, forbid, veto, proscribe, disallow, outlaw, make illegal, embargo, place an embargo on, bar, debar, block, stop, put a stop to, put an end to, suppress, interdict
noun
An official or legal prohibition.
example - a proposed ban on cigarette advertisingsynonyms - prohibition, veto, proscription, embargo, bar, suppression, stoppage, interdict, interdiction, moratorium, injunction
A curse.
example - the land might be smitten by the ban which once fell upon the Canaanites
/bəˈnɑːnə/
noun
A long curved fruit which grows in clusters and has soft pulpy flesh and yellow skin when ripe.
example - a bunch of bananas
The tropical and subtropical palmlike plant that bears bananas, having very large leaves but lacking a woody trunk.
example - Here, people cultivate the ensete plant, which looks like a banana tree, but its trunk pulp is prepared and eaten.
adjective
Insane or extremely silly.
synonyms - insane, mentally ill, certifiable, deranged, demented, of unsound mind, out of one"s mind, not in one"s right mind, sick in the head, not together, crazy, crazed, lunatic, non compos mentis, unbalanced, unhinged, unstable, disturbed, distracted, stark mad, manic, frenzied, raving, distraught, frantic, hysterical, delirious, psychotic, psychopathic, mad as a hatter, mad as a March hare, foaming at the mouth
/band/
noun
A flat, thin strip or loop of material, used as a fastener, for reinforcement, or as decoration.
example - wads of banknotes fastened with gummed paper bandssynonyms - belt, sash, girdle, strap, tape, ring, hoop, loop, circlet, circle, cord, tie, string, thong, ribbon, fillet, strip
A stripe, line, or elongated area of a different colour, texture, or composition from its surroundings.
example - a long, narrow band of cloudsynonyms - stripe, strip, streak, line, bar, belt, swathe, vein, thread, flash
A range of values or a specified category within a series (used especially in financial contexts)
example - your home was placed in one of eight valuation bands
A thing that restrains, binds, or unites.
example - must I fall, and die in bands?
verb
Provide or fit (an object) with something in the form of a strip or ring, for reinforcement or decoration.
example - doors are banded with iron to make them stronger
Mark (something) with a stripe or stripes of a different colour.
example - the bird"s bill is banded across the middle with black
Allocate to a range or category (used especially in financial contexts)
example - single adults in a property banded above D will pay more
/baŋk/
noun
The land alongside or sloping down to a river or lake.
example - willows lined the bank of the streamsynonyms - edge, side, embankment, levee, border, verge, boundary, margin, rim, fringe, fringes, flank, brink, perimeter, circumference, extremity, periphery, limit, outer limit, limits, bound, bounds
A long, high mass or mound of a particular substance.
example - a grassy banksynonyms - slope, rise, incline, gradient, ramp, acclivity, tump
A set of similar things, especially electrical or electronic devices, grouped together in rows.
example - the DJ had big banks of lights and speakers on either side of his consolesynonyms - array, row, line, tier, group, series
The cushion of a pool table.
verb
Heap (a substance) into a mass or mound.
example - the rain banked the soil up behind the gatesynonyms - pile, pile up, heap, heap up, stack, stack up, make a pile of, make a heap of, make a stack of
(with reference to an aircraft or vehicle) tilt or cause to tilt sideways in making a turn.
example - the plane banked as if to return to the airportsynonyms - tilt, lean, tip, slant, incline, angle, slope, list, camber, pitch, dip, cant, be at an angle, put at an angle
(of a locomotive) provide additional power for (a train) in ascending an incline.
example - he has built a four-cylinder locomotive for banking trains up the Lickey incline
(of an angler) succeed in landing (a fish)
example - it was the biggest rainbow trout that had ever been banked
(in pool) play (a ball) so that it rebounds off a surface such as a cushion.
example - I banked the eight ball off two cushions
/bɑː/
noun
A long rigid piece of wood, metal, or similar material, typically used as an obstruction, fastening, or weapon.
example - an iron barsynonyms - rod, pole, stake, stick, batten, shaft, shank, rail, pale, paling, spar, strut, support, prop, spoke, crosspiece, girder, beam, boom
A counter in a pub, restaurant, or cafe across which drinks or refreshments are served.
example - standing at the barsynonyms - counter, table, buffet, stand
A barrier or restriction to an action or advance.
example - political differences are not necessarily a bar to a good relationshipsynonyms - obstacle, impediment, hindrance, obstruction, check, stop, block, hurdle, barrier, stumbling block, handicap, restriction, limitation
Any of the short sections or measures, typically of equal time value, into which a piece of music is divided, shown on a score by vertical lines across the stave.
example - the opening bars of the first hymn
A partition in a court room, now usually notional, beyond which most people may not pass and at which an accused person stands.
example - the prisoner at the bar
The profession of barrister.
example - his dismissal from the Singapore Bar
verb
Fasten (something, especially a door or window) with a bar or bars.
example - she bolted and barred the doorsynonyms - bolt, lock, fasten, padlock, secure, latch, block, barricade, obstruct
Prevent or prohibit (someone) from doing something or from going somewhere.
example - journalists had been barred from covering the electionssynonyms - prohibit, debar, preclude, forbid, ban, interdict, inhibit
Mark (something) with bars or stripes.
example - his face was barred with light
preposition
Except for.
example - his kids were all gone now, bar onesynonyms - except, except for, apart from, but, but for, other than, besides, aside from, with the exception of, short of, barring, excepting, excluding, omitting, leaving out, save, save for, saving
/ˈbarɪə/
noun
A fence or other obstacle that prevents movement or access.
example - the mountain barrier between Norway and Swedensynonyms - fence, railing, barricade, hurdle, bar, blockade, roadblock
/beɪs/
noun
The lowest part or edge of something, especially the part on which it rests or is supported.
example - she sat down at the base of a treesynonyms - foundation, bottom, foot, support, prop, stay, stand, pedestal, plinth, rest, bed, substructure
A conceptual structure or entity on which something draws or depends.
example - the town"s economic base collapsed
A place used as a centre of operations by the armed forces or others; a headquarters.
example - he headed back to basesynonyms - headquarters, centre, starting point, camp, site, station, settlement, post
A main or important element or ingredient to which other things are added.
example - soaps with a vegetable oil basesynonyms - medium, vehicle, carrier
A substance capable of reacting with an acid to form a salt and water, or (more broadly) of accepting or neutralizing hydrogen ions.
example - Nitric acid reacted with a base will give the nitrate of the salt and water.
The middle part of a bipolar transistor, separating the emitter from the collector.
example - Transistors are composed of three parts - a base, a collector, and an emitter.
The root or stem of a word or a derivative.
example - The children had to say the base of a suffixed word pronounced by the experimenter.
A number used as the basis of a numeration scale.
example - Some historians believe that the Babylonian base 60 place-value system was transmitted to the Indians via the Greeks.
Each of the four stations that must be reached in turn to score a run.
example - Four different times I switched over to see the bases loaded, scoring I believe a total of one run.
verb
Use (something specified) as the foundation or starting point for something.
example - the film is based on a novel by Pat Conroysynonyms - found, build, construct, form, establish, ground, root
Situate at a specified place as the centre of operations.
example - the Science Policy Review Unit is based at the University of Sussexsynonyms - locate, station, situate, post, position, place, install, deploy, site, establish, garrison
/ˈbeɪsbɔːl/
noun
A ball game played between two teams of nine on a diamond-shaped circuit of four bases. It is played chiefly as a warm-weather sport in the US and Canada.
example - a game of baseball
/beɪs/
noun
The lowest part or edge of something, especially the part on which it rests or is supported.
example - she sat down at the base of a treesynonyms - foundation, bottom, foot, support, prop, stay, stand, pedestal, plinth, rest, bed, substructure
A conceptual structure or entity on which something draws or depends.
example - the town"s economic base collapsed
A place used as a centre of operations by the armed forces or others; a headquarters.
example - he headed back to basesynonyms - headquarters, centre, starting point, camp, site, station, settlement, post
A main or important element or ingredient to which other things are added.
example - soaps with a vegetable oil basesynonyms - medium, vehicle, carrier
A substance capable of reacting with an acid to form a salt and water, or (more broadly) of accepting or neutralizing hydrogen ions.
example - Nitric acid reacted with a base will give the nitrate of the salt and water.
The middle part of a bipolar transistor, separating the emitter from the collector.
example - Transistors are composed of three parts - a base, a collector, and an emitter.
The root or stem of a word or a derivative.
example - The children had to say the base of a suffixed word pronounced by the experimenter.
A number used as the basis of a numeration scale.
example - Some historians believe that the Babylonian base 60 place-value system was transmitted to the Indians via the Greeks.
Each of the four stations that must be reached in turn to score a run.
example - Four different times I switched over to see the bases loaded, scoring I believe a total of one run.
verb
Use (something specified) as the foundation or starting point for something.
example - the film is based on a novel by Pat Conroysynonyms - found, build, construct, form, establish, ground, root
Situate at a specified place as the centre of operations.
example - the Science Policy Review Unit is based at the University of Sussexsynonyms - locate, station, situate, post, position, place, install, deploy, site, establish, garrison
/ˈbeɪsɪk/
adjective
Forming an essential foundation or starting point; fundamental.
example - certain basic rules must be obeyedsynonyms - fundamental, rudimentary, primary, principal, cardinal, chief, elementary, elemental, root
Having the properties of a base, or containing a base; having a pH above 7.
example - these salts yield basic solutions comparable in strength with the mineral alkalis
noun
The essential facts or principles of a subject or skill.
synonyms - fundamentals, essentials, rudiments, principles, first principles, foundations, preliminaries, groundwork
/ˈbeɪsɪkli/
adverb
In the most essential respects; fundamentally.
example - we started from a basically simple ideasynonyms - fundamentally, primarily, principally, chiefly, essentially, elementally, firstly, predominantly
/ˈbeɪsɪs/
noun
The underlying support or foundation for an idea, argument, or process.
example - trust is the only basis for a good working relationshipsynonyms - origin, cause, root, source, starting point, core, centre, heart, kernel, base, basis, foundation
/ˈbɑːskɪtbɔːl/
noun
A game played between two teams of five players in which goals are scored by throwing a ball through a netted hoop fixed at each end of the court.
example - You"ll be able to watch live premiership games, basketball, golf, cricket, and all sorts.
/bɑːθ/
noun
A large container for water, used for immersing and washing the body.
example - the bedrooms have their own bath and showersynonyms - bathtub, tub, hot tub
verb
Wash (someone) while immersing them in a bath.
example - how to bath a babysynonyms - give ... a bath, wash, clean, soak, douche, soap
/ˈbɑːθruːm/
noun
A room containing a bath or shower and typically also a washbasin and a toilet.
example - To the left is the family bathroom which has a bath, wash basin, toilet and tiled wall and floor.
/ˈbat(ə)ri/
noun
A container consisting of one or more cells, in which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a source of power.
example - a camera batterysynonyms - cell, accumulator, power unit
A fortified emplacement for heavy guns.
example - anti-aircraft missile batteries
A set of similar units of equipment, typically when connected together.
example - a battery of equipment to monitor blood pressuresynonyms - array, set, bank, group, row, line, line-up, raft, collection, assortment
A series of small cages for the intensive rearing of farm animals, especially calves and poultry.
example - battery farming
The infliction of unlawful personal violence on another person, even where the contact does no physical harm.
example - any act which puts a person in immediate and reasonable fear of batterysynonyms - violence, assault, mugging
The pitcher and the catcher.
example - I was all excited to report on the fact Philadelphia started an all-Independent Baseball battery yesterday for its Grapefruit League game against Cleveland in Winter Haven, FL.
/ˈbat(ə)l/
noun
A sustained fight between large organized armed forces.
example - the battle lasted for several hourssynonyms - fight, conflict, armed conflict, clash, struggle, skirmish, engagement, dogfight, affray, fray, encounter, confrontation
verb
Struggle tenaciously to achieve or resist something.
example - he has been battling against the illnesssynonyms - fight, combat, contend with
/biː/
verb
Exist.
example - there are no easy answerssynonyms - exist, have being, have existence
Occur; take place.
example - the exhibition will be in Novembersynonyms - occur, happen, take place, come about, arise, crop up, transpire, fall, materialize, ensue
Having the state, quality, identity, nature, role, etc., specified.
Say.
auxiliary verb
Used with a present participle to form continuous tenses.
example - they are coming
Used with a past participle to form the passive voice.
Used to indicate something that is due or destined to happen.
example - construction is to begin next summer
Used with the past participle of intransitive verbs to form perfect tenses.
/biːtʃ/
noun
A pebbly or sandy shore, especially by the sea between high- and low-water marks.
example - fabulous sandy beachessynonyms - seaside, seashore, shore, coast, coastline, coastal region, seaboard, foreshore, water"s edge, margin
verb
Run or haul up (a boat or ship) on to a beach.
example - at the water"s edge a rowing boat was beachedsynonyms - land, reach the shore, run ashore
/biːn/
noun
An edible seed, typically kidney-shaped, growing in long pods on certain leguminous plants.
A leguminous plant that bears beans in pods.
example - One warning: do not plant near beans, caraway, tomatoes, coriander or wormwood-they do not work well together.
A very small amount or nothing at all of something (used emphatically)Any money at all.
A person"s head, especially when regarded as a source of common sense.
verb
Hit (someone) on the head.
synonyms - hit over the head, hit on the head, hit, strike, buffet, bang, knock, thwack, slug, welt, cuff, punch, smash
/bɛː/
verb
Carry the weight of; support.
example - the bees form large colonies and need the thick branches of tall trees to bear the weight of their nestssynonyms - support, carry, hold up, prop up, keep up, bolster up
Endure (an ordeal or difficulty)
example - she bore the pain stoicallysynonyms - endure, tolerate, put up with, stand, suffer, abide, submit to, experience, undergo, go through, countenance, brook, brave, weather, support
(of a person) carry (someone or something)
example - he was bearing a tray of brimming glassessynonyms - carry, bring, transport, move, convey, take, fetch, haul, lug, shift
Give birth to (a child)
example - she bore six daughterssynonyms - give birth to, bring forth, deliver, be delivered of, have, mother, create, produce, spawn
Turn and proceed in a specified direction.
example - bear left and follow the old drove roadsynonyms - veer, curve, swerve, incline, turn, fork, diverge, deviate, bend
/biːt/
verb
Strike (a person or an animal) repeatedly and violently so as to hurt or injure them, typically with an implement such as a club or whip.
example - if we were caught we were beatensynonyms - hit, strike, batter, thump, hammer, punch, knock, thrash, pound, pummel, slap, smack, crack, thwack, cuff, buffet, maul, pelt, drub, rain blows on
Defeat (someone) in a game or other competitive situation.
example - she beat him easily at chesssynonyms - defeat, conquer, win against, get the better of, vanquish, trounce, rout, overpower, overcome, overwhelm, overthrow, subdue, quash, crush
Succeed in getting somewhere ahead of (someone)
example - the defender beat him to the ball
(of the heart) pulsate.
example - her heart beat faster with panicsynonyms - pulsate, pulse, palpitate, vibrate, throb, reverberate
(of a bird) move (the wings) up and down.
example - doves wheel around the rooftops, beating their wingssynonyms - flap, flutter, move up and down, thresh, thrash, wave, shake, swing, agitate, quiver, tremble, vibrate, oscillate
Stir (cooking ingredients) vigorously to make a smooth or frothy mixture.
example - beat the butter until light and fluffysynonyms - whisk, mix, blend, whip, stir, fold
Sail into the wind, following a zigzag course with repeated tacking.
example - we beat southwards all that first daysynonyms - change course, change direction, change heading
noun
A main accent or rhythmic unit in music or poetry.
example - the glissando begins on the second beatsynonyms - stress, emphasis, accentuation, force, prominence
The movement of a bird"s wings.
example - the beat of the swallow"s wings as they dive after midgessynonyms - flutter, fluttering, beat, beating, waving, shaking, flailing
An area allocated to a police officer and patrolled on foot.
example - his beat was in North Londonsynonyms - circuit, round, course, route, way, path, orbit, tour, turn
A brief pause or moment of hesitation.
example - she waited for a beat of three secondssynonyms - stop, cessation, break, halt, stoppage, standstill, interruption, check, lull, respite, stay, breathing space, discontinuation, discontinuance, hiatus, gap, lapse, lapse of time, interlude, intermission, interval, entr"acte
short for beatnik
adjective
Completely exhausted.
synonyms - exhausted, tired out, worn out, weary, dog-tired, bone-tired, bone-weary, ready to drop, on one"s last legs, asleep on one"s feet, drained, fatigued, enervated, debilitated, spent
Relating to the beat generation or its philosophy.
example - beat poet Allen Ginsberg
/ˈbjuːtɪfʊl/
adjective
Pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically.
example - beautiful poetrysynonyms - attractive, pretty, handsome, good-looking, nice-looking, pleasing, alluring, prepossessing, as pretty as a picture
/ˈbjuːti/
noun
A combination of qualities, such as shape, colour, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.
example - I was struck by her beautysynonyms - landmark, place of interest, thing worth seeing, feature, distinctive feature, prominent feature, monument, spectacle, scene, view, area, landscape, display, show, exhibition, curiosity, rarity, beauty, marvel, wonder, splendour
A beautiful woman.
example - she was considered a great beauty in her youthsynonyms - beautiful woman, belle, vision, charmer, enchantress, Venus, goddess, beauty queen, English rose, picture, seductress
adjective
Good; excellent (used as a general term of approval).
/bɪˈkɒz/
conjunction
For the reason that; since.
example - we did it because we felt it our dutysynonyms - since, as, for the reason that, in view of the fact that, owing to the fact that, seeing as, seeing that
/bɪˈkʌm/
verb
Begin to be.
example - she became angry and sulked all daysynonyms - change gradually, transmute, turn, go, become
(of clothing) look good on or suit (someone)
example - mourning regalia became hersynonyms - suit, flatter, look good on, look right on
/bɛd/
noun
A piece of furniture for sleep or rest, typically a framework with a mattress.
example - a large double bedsynonyms - couch, berth, billet
The bottom of the sea or a lake or river.
example - the gravelly bed of the streamsynonyms - bottom, floor, ground, depths
An area of ground, typically in a garden, where flowers and plants are grown.
example - the lawns are flanked by rose bedssynonyms - patch, plot, area, lot, space, border, strip, row
A stratum or layer of rock.
example - a bed of claysynonyms - layer, vein, seam, lode, bed
A layer of food on which other foods are served.
example - the salad is served on a bed of raw spinach
A flat base or foundation on which something rests or is supported.
synonyms - base, basis, foundation, support, prop, stay, bottom, core, substructure, substratum
verb
Settle down to sleep or rest for the night in an improvised place.
example - you can bed down in the shedsynonyms - go to bed, retire, call it a day
Transfer (a plant) from a pot or seed tray to a garden plot.
example - I bedded out some houseplantssynonyms - plant, plant out, set in beds, set in soil, put in the ground, set out, transplant
Fix firmly; embed.
example - the posts should be firmly bedded in concretesynonyms - embed, set, fix into, insert, inlay, implant, bury, base, plant, settle
/ˈbɛdruːm/
noun
A room for sleeping in.
example - all parents dream of children who tidy their bedrooms without being askedsynonyms - boudoir, bedchamber, chamber, bedroom, dressing room, room
Denoting a small town or suburb whose residents commute to a nearby city.
example - a bedroom communitysynonyms - residential, commuter, dormitory
/biː/
noun
A stinging winged insect which collects nectar and pollen, produces wax and honey, and lives in large communities.
example - Even accounting for native bee pollinators, honeybees still do most of the pollinating of fruits and vegetables in your garden.
An insect of a large group to which the honeybee belongs, including many solitary as well as social kinds.
example - It"s an example of self-organizing cooperative behavior, and it"s found among ants, bees, and other social insects.
A meeting for communal work or amusement.
/biːf/
noun
The flesh of a cow, bull, or ox, used as food.
example - there was the smell of roast beef
Flesh with well-developed muscle.
synonyms - muscle, muscularity, brawn, bulk, heftiness, burliness, huskiness, physique
A complaint or grievance.
synonyms - complaint, criticism, objection, protestation, cavil, quibble, grievance, grumble, moan, grumbling, carping
A criminal charge.
synonyms - charge, accusation, arraignment, citation, summons
verb
Complain.
synonyms - protest, grumble, moan, whine, bleat, carp, cavil, lodge a complaint, make a complaint, make a fuss
/bɪə/
noun
An alcoholic drink made from yeast-fermented malt flavoured with hops.
example - a pint of beersynonyms - ale, beverage, brew
/bɪˈfɔː/
adverb
During the period of time preceding a particular event or time.
example - my playing days had ended six years beforesynonyms - previously, before now, before then, until now, until then, up to now, up to then
In front of someone or something.
example - they began trotting through the city with guards running before and behind
conjunction
In advance of the time when.
example - they lived rough for four days before they were arrested
In preference to (doing a particular thing)
preposition
During the period of time preceding (a particular event or time)
example - she had to rest before dinnersynonyms - prior to, previous to, earlier than, preparatory to, in preparation for, preliminary to, in anticipation of, in expectation of
In front of.
example - Matilda stood before her, pantingsynonyms - in front of, in the presence of, in the sight of
In preference to; rather than.
synonyms - in preference to, rather than, sooner than, above, over, instead of
/bɛɡ/
verb
Ask someone earnestly or humbly for something.
example - he begged his fellow passengers for helpsynonyms - beseech, entreat, implore, adjure, plead with, appeal to, pray to
Ask for food or money as charity.
example - a young woman was begging in the streetsynonyms - ask for money, solicit money, seek charity, seek alms
/bɪˈɡɪn/
verb
Perform or undergo the first part of (an action or activity)
example - Peter had just begun a life sentence for murdersynonyms - start, set about, go about, embark on, launch into, get down to, take up, turn one"s hand to, undertake, tackle
Not have any chance or likelihood of doing a specified thing.
/bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
noun
The point in time or space at which something begins.
example - he left at the beginning of Februarysynonyms - dawn, birth, inception, conception, origination, genesis, emergence, rise, start, starting point, very beginning, launch, onset, outset, unfolding, development, developing, debut
/bɪˈheɪv/
verb
Act or conduct oneself in a specified way, especially towards others.
example - he always behaved like a gentlemansynonyms - conduct oneself, act, acquit oneself, bear oneself, carry oneself
Conduct oneself in accordance with the accepted norms of a society or group.
example - ‘Just behave, Tom,’ he saidsynonyms - act correctly, act properly, conduct oneself well, act in a polite way, show good manners, mind one"s manners, mind one"s Ps and Qs
/bɪˈheɪvjə/
noun
The way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially towards others.
example - he will vouch for her good behavioursynonyms - conduct, way of behaving, way of acting, deportment, bearing, etiquette
/bɪˈhʌɪnd/
preposition
At or to the far side of (something), typically so as to be hidden by it.
example - the recording machinery was kept behind screenssynonyms - at the back of, at the rear of, beyond, on the other side of, on the far side of, on the further side of
Following or further back than (another member of a moving group)
example - we were stuck behind a slow-moving tractorsynonyms - at the back of, at the rear of, beyond, on the other side of, on the far side of, on the further side of
In support of or giving guidance to (someone else)
example - whatever you decide to do, I"ll be behind yousynonyms - supporting, backing, for, on the side of, in agreement with
After the departure or death of (someone)
example - he left behind him a manuscript which was subsequently published
Less advanced than (someone or something) in achievement or development.
example - the government admitted it is ten years behind the West in PC technologysynonyms - less advanced than, slower than, weaker than, inferior to
Having a lower score than (another competitor)
example - Woosnam moved to ten under par, five shots behind Fred Couples
adverb
At or to the far side of something.
example - Campbell grabbed him from behind
In a particular place after leaving or after others have moved on.
example - don"t leave me behindsynonyms - afterwards, remaining after departure
Further back than other members of a moving group.
example - Ben led the way, with Joe a short distance behindsynonyms - after, afterwards, at the back, in the rear, in the wake, at the end, at six o"clock
(in a contest or match) having a score lower than that of the opposing team.
example - England were still 382 runs behind
Late in accomplishing a task.
example - I"m getting behind with my worksynonyms - running late, late, behind schedule, behindhand, delayed, not on time, behind time
noun
A person"s buttocks.
synonyms - buttocks, bottom, cheeks, hindquarters, haunches, rump, rear end, seat
A kick that sends the ball over a behind line, or a touch that sends it between the inner posts, scoring one point.
example - In an amazing hour of football stretching over the first, second and third quarters the two teams combined to kick 16 straight behinds.
/ˈbiːɪŋ/
noun
Existence.
example - the railway brought many towns into beingsynonyms - existence, living, life, animation, animateness, aliveness, reality, actuality, essential nature, lifeblood, vital force, entity
The nature or essence of a person.
example - sometimes one aspect of our being has been developed at the expense of the otherssynonyms - soul, spirit, nature, essence, substance, entity, inner being, inner self, psyche
A real or imaginary living creature or entity, especially an intelligent one.
example - alien beingssynonyms - creature, life form, living entity, living thing, living soul, soul, individual, person, personage, human being, human, man, woman
/bɪˈliːf/
noun
An acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof.
example - his belief in extraterrestrial lifesynonyms - guess, speculation, surmise, fancy, notion, belief, suspicion, presumption, assumption, theory, hypothesis, postulation, supposition
Trust, faith, or confidence in (someone or something)
example - a belief in democratic politicssynonyms - faith, trust, reliance, confidence, credence, freedom from doubt
/bɪˈliːv/
verb
Accept that (something) is true, especially without proof.
example - the superintendent believed Lancaster"s storysynonyms - be convinced by, trust, have confidence in, consider honest, consider truthful
Hold (something) as an opinion; think.
example - I believe we"ve already metsynonyms - think, be of the opinion that, think it likely that, have an idea that, imagine, feel, have a feeling, hold, maintain, suspect, suppose, assume, presume, conjecture, surmise, postulate that, theorize that, conclude, come to the conclusion that, deduce
/bɛl/
noun
A hollow metal object, typically in the shape of a deep inverted cup widening at the lip, that sounds a clear musical note when struck, especially by means of a clapper inside.
example - the church bells tolledsynonyms - chime, gong, alarm
A bell-shaped object or part of something.
A musical instrument consisting of a set of metal tubes of different lengths, suspended in a frame and played by being struck with a hammer.
example - Working with sampled bells, gongs and prepared piano, he then uses electronic equipment to process this first layer and continues to build up his compositions.
(preceded by a numeral) the time as indicated every half hour of a watch by the striking of the ship"s bell one to eight times.
example - at five bells in the forenoon of June 11
verb
Provide with a bell or bells.
example - the young men were belling and hobbling the horses before releasing them
Make a ringing sound likened to that of a bell.
Spread outwards like the lip of a bell.
example - her shirt belled out behind
/bɪˈlɒŋ/
verb
Be the property of.
example - the vehicle did not belong to himsynonyms - be owned by, be the property of, be the possession of, be in the ownership of, be held by, be at the disposal of, be in the hands of
Be a member of (a particular group or organization)
example - he belonged to the local cricket clubsynonyms - be a member of, be in, be included in, be affiliated to, be allied to, be associated with, be connected to, be linked to, be an adherent of
(of a thing) be rightly placed in a specified position.
example - he put the rifle back in the locker where it belonged
/bɪˈləʊ/
preposition
At a lower level or layer than.
example - just below the pocket was a stain
Extending underneath.
example - the tunnel below the cragssynonyms - beneath, under, underneath, further down than, lower than
adverb
At a lower level or layer.
example - he jumped from the window into the moat belowsynonyms - further down, lower down, in a lower position, underneath, beneath, downstairs
/bɛlt/
noun
A strip of leather or other material worn, typically round the waist, to support or hold in clothes or to carry weapons.
example - he tightened his leather belt an extra notchsynonyms - girdle, sash, strap, cummerbund, waistband, band, girth
A continuous band of material used in machinery for transferring motion from one wheel to another.
example - a great wheel driven by a leather beltsynonyms - band, loop, hoop, thong
A strip or encircling area that is different in nature or composition from its surroundings.
example - the asteroid beltsynonyms - region, area, district, zone, sector, province, quarter, pocket, enclave, territory, neighbourhood, locality
A heavy blow.
synonyms - blow, punch, smack, crack, slap, bang, thump, knock, rap, thwack, box
verb
Fasten with a belt.
example - she belted her raincoat firmlysynonyms - fasten, tie, bind
Hit (someone or something) hard.
example - she belted him over the head with her racquet
Rush or dash in a specified direction.
synonyms - speed, hurry, race, run, sprint, dash, bolt, dart, rush, hasten, hurtle, career, streak, shoot, whizz, zoom, go like lightning, go hell for leather, spank along, bowl along, rattle along, whirl, whoosh, buzz, swoop, flash, blast, charge, stampede, gallop, sweep, hare, fly, wing, scurry, scud, scutter, scramble
Gulp (a drink) quickly.
example - cocktails should be sipped and savoured, not belted down
/bɛnd/
verb
Shape or force (something straight) into a curve or angle.
example - the wire has to be bent back tightlysynonyms - curve, crook, make crooked, make curved, flex, angle, hook, bow, arc, arch, buckle, warp, contort, distort, deform
(of a person) incline the body downwards from the vertical.
example - she bent down and yanked out the flexsynonyms - stoop, bow, crouch, squat, kneel, hunch
Force or be forced to submit.
example - they want to bend me to their willsynonyms - mould, shape, manipulate, direct, force, press, influence, incline, sway, bias, warp, impress, compel, persuade
Direct (one"s attention or energies) to a task.
example - Eric bent all his efforts to persuading them to donate some blanketssynonyms - direct, point, aim, turn, train, steer, set
Attach (a sail or cable) by means of a knot.
example - sailors were bending sails to the spars
noun
A curve in a road, river, path, or racing circuit.
example - the van screeched round a bendsynonyms - curve, turn, corner, kink, angle, arc, crescent, twist, crook, deviation, deflection, loop
A curved or angled part of something.
example - make a bend in the wire
A kind of knot used to join two ropes together, or to tie a rope to another object, e.g. a carrick bend.
example - Even so it is a very secure bend and can put up with a good deal of strain and movement. It can also be used to tie a bend with thin line.
Decompression sickness, especially in divers.
example - The disease suffered by divers known as the bends (decompression sickness) is an example of the same phenomenon.
/ˈbɛnɪfɪt/
noun
An advantage or profit gained from something.
example - enjoy the benefits of being a membersynonyms - good, sake, interest, welfare, well-being, satisfaction, enjoyment, advantage, comfort, ease, convenience
A payment made by the state or an insurance scheme to someone entitled to receive it.
example - part-time jobs supplemented by means-tested benefitssynonyms - social security payments, social security, state benefit, unemployment benefit, government benefit, benefit payments, public assistance allowance, welfare, insurance money, sick pay, pension
An event such as a concert or game that is intended to raise money for a particular player or charity.
example - the social season was highlighted by debutante balls and charity benefits
verb
Receive an advantage; profit.
example - the areas would benefit from regenerationsynonyms - profit, gain, reap benefits, reap financial reward, make money
/bɛnt/
adjective
Sharply curved or having an angle.
example - a piece of bent wiresynonyms - twisted, crooked, warped, contorted, deformed, misshapen, out of shape, irregular
Determined to do or have.
example - a missionary bent on saving soulssynonyms - intent on, determined on, set on, insistent on, fixed on, resolved on, hell-bent on, firm about, committed to
Dishonest; corrupt.
synonyms - corrupt, corruptible, bribable, buyable, venal, fraudulent, swindling, grafting, criminal, lawless, villainous
Homosexual (typically used of a man).
synonyms - gay, lesbian, lesbigay
noun
A natural talent or inclination.
example - a man of a religious bentsynonyms - inclination, predisposition, disposition, instinct, orientation, leaning, tendency, penchant, bias, predilection, proclivity, propensity, talent, gift, flair, ability, knack, aptitude, facility, faculty, skill, capability, capacity, forte, genius
/bɛst/
adjective
Of the most excellent or desirable type or quality.
example - the best midfielder in the countrysynonyms - finest, greatest, top, foremost, leading, pre-eminent, premier, prime, first, chief, principal, supreme, of the highest quality, superlative, unrivalled, second to none, without equal, nonpareil, unsurpassed, unsurpassable, peerless, matchless, unparalleled, unbeaten, unbeatable, unexcelled, optimum, optimal, ultimate, surpassing, incomparable, ideal, perfect
adverb
To the highest degree; most (used with verbs suggesting a desirable action or state or a successful outcome)
example - they named the pictures they liked bestsynonyms - most, to the greatest degree, to the highest degree
noun
That which is the most excellent, outstanding, or desirable.
example - buy the best you can affordsynonyms - finest, top, cream, choice, choicest, prime, elite, crème de la crème, flower, jewel in the crown, nonpareil
verb
Outwit or get the better of (someone)
synonyms - defeat, beat, get the better of, gain the advantage over, get the upper hand over, outdo, outwit, outsmart, worst, be more than a match for, prevail over, conquer, vanquish, trounce, triumph over
/bɛt/
verb
Risk a sum of money or valued item against someone else"s on the basis of the outcome of an unpredictable event such as a race or game.
example - he bet on baseball gamessynonyms - wager, gamble, stake, risk, venture, hazard, chance, lay down, put, place
Used to express certainty.
synonyms - be certain, be sure, be convinced, be confident
noun
An act of betting a sum of money.
example - she had a bet on the Derbysynonyms - wager, stake, gamble, ante
/ˈbɛtə/
adjective
More desirable, satisfactory, or effective.
example - we"re hoping for better weather tomorrowsynonyms - superior, finer, of higher quality, greater, in a different class, one step ahead
Partly or fully recovered from illness, injury, or mental stress.
example - his leg was getting bettersynonyms - healthier, fitter, stronger, less ill
adverb
More excellently or effectively.
example - Jonathon could do better if he triedsynonyms - to a higher standard, in a finer way, in a superior way
noun
The better one; that which is better.
example - the Natural History Museum book is by far the better of the two
One"s superiors in social class or ability.
example - I"m not one to speak ill of my betters
verb
Improve on or surpass (an existing or previous level or achievement)
example - his account can hardly be betteredsynonyms - surpass, improve on, beat, exceed, excel, top, cap, trump, eclipse, outstrip, outdo, outmatch, go one better than
/bɪˈtwiːn/
preposition
At, into, or across the space separating (two objects or regions)
example - the border between Mexico and the United Statessynonyms - in the middle of, with one … on either side
In the period separating (two points in time)
example - they snack between meals
In the interval separating (two points on a scale)
example - a man aged between 18 and 30
Indicating a connection or relationship involving two or more parties.
example - links between science and industrysynonyms - connecting, linking, joining
By combining the resources or actions of (two or more people or other entities)
example - we have created something between us
adverb
In or along the space separating two objects or regions.
example - layers of paper with tar in between
In the period separating two points in time.
example - sets of exercises with no rest in between
/bɪˈjɒnd/
preposition
At or to the further side of.
example - he pointed to a spot beyond the treessynonyms - on the far side of, on the farther side of, on the other side of, further on than, behind, past, after
Happening or continuing after (a specified time or event)
example - many people work well beyond the age of sixty-fivesynonyms - later than, past, after
Having progressed or achieved more than (a specified stage or level)
example - we need to get beyond square one
To or in a degree or condition where a specified action is impossible.
example - the landscape has changed beyond recognitionsynonyms - outside the range of, beyond the capacity of, beyond the power of, outside the limitations of, surpassing
Apart from; except.
example - beyond telling us that she was well educated, he has nothing to say about hersynonyms - apart from, except, other than
adverb
At or to the further side of something.
example - from south of Dortmund as far as Essen and beyondsynonyms - further on, far off, far away, in the distance, afar
After a specified time or event.
Above or greater than a specified amount.
noun
The unknown, especially in references to life after death.
example - messages from the beyond
/ˈbʌɪsɪk(ə)l/
noun
A vehicle consisting of two wheels held in a frame one behind the other, propelled by pedals and steered with handlebars attached to the front wheel.
example - One difference is that a bus has many wheels whereas a bicycle has only two wheels.synonyms - cycle, two-wheeler, pedal cycle
verb
Ride a bicycle.
example - they spent the holidays bicycling around the beautiful Devonshire countryside
/bɪɡ/
adjective
Of considerable size or extent.
example - her big hazel eyessynonyms - large, sizeable, of considerable size, substantial, considerable, great, huge, immense, enormous, extensive, colossal, massive, mammoth, vast, prodigious, tremendous, gigantic, giant, monumental, mighty, stupendous, gargantuan, elephantine, titanic, epic, mountainous, megalithic, monstrous, Brobdingnagian
Of considerable importance or seriousness.
example - it"s a big decisionsynonyms - important, significant, major, of great import, of significance, momentous, of moment, weighty, consequential, of consequence, far-reaching, key, vital, critical, crucial, life-and-death, high-priority, serious, grave, solemn
Generous.
synonyms - generous, kind, kindly, kind-hearted, caring, compassionate, loving, benevolent, magnanimous, unselfish, altruistic, selfless, philanthropic
verb
Praise or recommend something highly.
synonyms - ennoble, exalt, elevate, lift up, add dignity to, dignify, add lustre to, add distinction to, enhance, increase, augment, promote, boost
noun
The major league in a professional sport.
/bʌɪk/
noun
A bicycle or motorcycle.
example - my friends and I would ride our bikes
verb
Ride a bicycle or motorcycle.
/bɪl/
noun
A printed or written statement of the money owed for goods or services.
example - the bill for their meal came to £17synonyms - invoice, account, statement, list of charges, tally
A draft of a proposed law presented to parliament for discussion.
example - a debate over the civil rights billsynonyms - draft law, proposed legislation, proposal, measure
A programme of entertainment at a theatre or cinema.
example - she was top of the bill at America"s leading vaudeville housesynonyms - programme, programme of entertainment, listing, list, line-up
A banknote.
example - a ten-dollar billsynonyms - banknote, note
A poster or handbill.
example - he has been hard at work bill posting in a poster and sticker campaignsynonyms - poster, advertisement, public notice, announcement
verb
List (a person or event) in a programme.
example - they were billed to appear but did not show upsynonyms - advertise, promote, announce, post, give advance notice of, put up in lights
Send a bill to (someone)
example - we shall be billing them for the damage causedsynonyms - send an invoice to, invoice, charge, debit, send a statement to
/ˈbɪljən/
cardinal number
The number equivalent to the product of a thousand and a million; 1,000,000,000 or 10⁹
example - a world population of nearly 5 billionsynonyms - multitude, a great number, a great quantity, a large number, a large quantity, a lot, scores, quantities, mass, crowd, throng, host, droves, horde, army, legion, sea, swarm
/bɪn/
noun
A receptacle in which to deposit rubbish.
example - Bin wagons, rubbish bins and boxes are all in line for a major shake-up to smooth the way for kerbside recycling.
Each of a series of ranges of numerical value into which data are sorted in statistical analysis.
example - We performed the same statistical analysis on these synteny bins as described above for the human-mouse data.
verb
Throw (something) away by putting it in a bin.
Store (something, especially wine) in a bin.
example - paint on the bottles indicated which way up they should be binned
Group together (data) in bins.
example - The mean-variance estimates were then binned into a two-dimensional histogram.
/bʌɪˈɒlədʒi/
noun
The study of living organisms, divided into many specialized fields that cover their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behaviour, origin, and distribution.
example - An A level student at Sheldon School, Edward is studying biology, physics, chemistry and maths.
/bəːd/
noun
A warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrate animal distinguished by the possession of feathers, wings, a beak, and typically by being able to fly.
example - I am currently using turkey feathers to fletch with, after spending half a day on a commercial turkey farm plucking wing feathers as the birds went into the slaughter house.synonyms - fowl
A person of a specified kind or character.
A young woman or a girlfriend.
synonyms - lady, adult female, female
/bəːθ/
noun
The emergence of a baby or other young from the body of its mother; the start of life as a physically separate being.
example - he was blind from birthsynonyms - childbirth, delivery, nativity, birthing
verb
Give birth to (a baby or other young)
synonyms - have, bear, produce, be delivered of, bring into the world
/ˈbəːθdeɪ/
noun
The anniversary of the day on which a person was born, typically treated as an occasion for celebration and the giving of gifts.
example - his twenty-ninth birthday
/ˈbɪskɪt/
noun
A small baked unleavened cake, typically crisp, flat, and sweet.
example - a chocolate biscuitsynonyms - cracker, wafer
Porcelain or other pottery which has been fired but not glazed.
A light brown colour.
example - Colourings such as taupe, pavlova, biscuit and caraway are offset by elegant shades of caffeine, pewter, ash and, of course, coffee, charcoals and black.synonyms - hazel, chocolate-coloured, coffee-coloured, cocoa-coloured, nut brown
A small flat piece of wood used to join two larger pieces of wood together, fitting into slots in each.
example - Many carpenters have started using biscuits in the miter joints between trim pieces to lock the joint together and prevent future separation.
/bɪt/
noun
A small piece, part, or quantity of something.
example - give the duck a bit of breadsynonyms - small portion, small piece, piece, portion, segment, section, part
A set of actions or ideas associated with a specific group or activity.
A person"s genitals.
A unit of 12 1/2 cents (used only in even multiples).
A young woman.
/bʌɪt/
verb
(of a person or animal) use the teeth to cut into or through something.
example - he bit off a piece of cheesesynonyms - sink one"s teeth into, chew, munch, crunch, champ, tear at, masticate, eat
(of a fish) take the bait or lure on the end of a fishing line into the mouth.
example - I marvel at how easily and eagerly a chub will bite
Make firm contact with a surface.
example - the brake pads don"t bite until they"re warmed upsynonyms - grip, hold, get a purchase
(of a policy or situation) take effect, with unpleasant consequences.
example - the cuts in art education were starting to bitesynonyms - take effect, have an effect, be effective, be efficacious, work, function, act, have results, take hold
noun
An act of biting something in order to eat it.
example - Stephen ate a hot dog in three big bitessynonyms - mouthful, piece, morsel, bit
A piece cut off by biting.
example - Robyn took a large bite out of her sandwich
A sharp or pungent flavour.
example - a fresh, lemony bitesynonyms - piquancy, pungency, spice, spiciness, saltiness, pepperiness, flavour, flavouring, savour, taste, tastiness, relish, tang, zest, sharpness, tartness, interest, edge, effect, potency
/ˈbɪtə/
adjective
Having a sharp, pungent taste or smell; not sweet.
example - raw berries have an intensely bitter flavoursynonyms - sharp, acid, acidic, pungent, acrid, tart, sour, biting, harsh, unsweetened, vinegary, acetous
Feeling or showing anger, hurt, or resentment because of bad experiences or a sense of unjust treatment.
example - I don"t feel jealous or bittersynonyms - resentful, embittered, aggrieved, dissatisfied, disgruntled, discontented, grudge-bearing, grudging, begrudging, indignant, rancorous, splenetic, spiteful, jaundiced, ill-disposed, sullen, sour, churlish, morose, petulant, peevish, with a chip on one"s shoulder
Painful or unpleasant to accept or contemplate.
example - today"s decision has come as a bitter blowsynonyms - painful, unpleasant, disagreeable, nasty, cruel, awful, distressing, disquieting, disturbing, upsetting, harrowing, heartbreaking, heart-rending, agonizing, unhappy, miserable, wretched, sad, poignant, grievous, traumatic, tragic, chilling, mortifying, galling, vexatious
(of wind or weather) intensely cold.
example - a bitter February nightsynonyms - intensely cold, bitterly cold, freezing, icy, icy-cold, arctic, glacial, frosty, frigid, chilly
noun
Beer that is strongly flavoured with hops and has a bitter taste, brewed by top fermentation.
example - a pint of bitter
Alcohol flavoured with bitter plant extracts, used as an additive in cocktails or as a medicinal substance to promote appetite or digestion.
example - a dash of bitters
/blak/
adjective
Of the very darkest colour owing to the absence of or complete absorption of light; the opposite of white.
example - black smokesynonyms - dark, pitch black, as black as pitch, pitch-dark, jet black, inky, coal black, blackish
Belonging to or denoting any human group having dark-coloured skin, especially of African or Australian Aboriginal ancestry.Relating to black people.
example - he discusses the position of black people in America
Characterized by tragic or disastrous events; causing despair or pessimism.
example - five thousand men were killed on the blackest day of the warsynonyms - tragic, disastrous, calamitous, catastrophic, cataclysmic, ruinous, devastating, fatal, fateful, wretched, woeful, grievous, lamentable, miserable, dire, unfortunate, awful, terrible
Denoting a covert military procedure.
synonyms - secret, furtive, clandestine, surreptitious, stealthy, cloak-and-dagger, hole-and-corner, hole-in-the-corner, closet, behind-the-scenes, backstairs, back-alley, under-the-table, hugger-mugger, concealed, hidden, private
(of goods or work) not to be handled or undertaken by trade union members, especially so as to express support for an industrial dispute elsewhere.
noun
Black colour or pigment.
example - a tray decorated in black and green
A member of a dark-skinned people, especially one of African or Australian Aboriginal ancestry.
example - The living conditions for South African whites and blacks were extremely divergent.
The situation of not owing money to a bank or of making a profit in a business operation.
example - it is hoped the club will be back in the black by the end of the seasonsynonyms - in credit, in funds, debt-free, out of debt, solvent, financially sound, able to pay one"s debts, creditworthy, of good financial standing, solid, secure, profit-making, profitable
Blackcurrant cordial.
verb
Make (something) black; blacken.
example - the house was pocked with bullet holes and blacked by smokesynonyms - blacken, darken
Refuse to handle (goods), undertake (work), or have dealings with (a person or business) as a way of taking industrial action.
example - the union blacked the film because overtime was not being paidsynonyms - boycott, embargo, place an embargo on, put an embargo on, blacklist, ban, bar, proscribe
/bleɪm/
verb
Feel or declare that (someone or something) is responsible for a fault or wrong.
example - the inquiry blamed the train driver for the accidentsynonyms - hold responsible, hold accountable, hold liable, lay the blame on, place the blame on
noun
Responsibility for a fault or wrong.
example - his players had to take the blame for the defeatsynonyms - responsibility, guilt, accountability, liability, onus, blameworthiness, culpability, fault
/blaŋk/
adjective
(of a surface or background) unrelieved by decorative or other features; bare, empty, or plain.
example - a blank wallsynonyms - empty, unfilled, unmarked, unwritten on, unused, clear, free, bare, clean, plain, spotless, white
Showing a lack of comprehension or reaction.
example - we were met by blank lookssynonyms - expressionless, empty, vacant, deadpan, wooden, stony, impassive, inanimate, poker-faced, vacuous, glazed, fixed, lifeless, uninterested, emotionless, unresponsive, inscrutable
Complete; absolute (used emphatically with negative force)
example - he was met with a blank refusal to discuss the issuesynonyms - outright, absolute, categorical, unqualified, utter, complete, thorough, flat, straight, positive, certain, explicit, unequivocal, unambiguous, unmistakable, plain, clear, clear-cut
Used euphemistically in place of an adjective regarded as obscene, profane, or abusive.
example - show the miserable blank-blank Englishman how to fight this war
noun
A space left to be filled in a document.
example - leave blanks to type in the appropriate namessynonyms - space, gap, blank space, empty space
A cartridge containing gunpowder but no bullet, used for training or as a signal.
example - She let the cartridges of blanks drop to the ground and reloaded with live fire.
An empty space or period of time, especially in terms of a lack of knowledge or understanding.
example - my mind was a total blanksynonyms - void, vacuum, emptiness, vacancy
A piece of metal or wood intended for further shaping or finishing.
example - Worthing shaped the blank into a traditional British style and finished the wood with a hand-rubbed oil finish.
A dash written instead of a word or letter, especially instead of an obscenity or profanity.
example - But, more importantly, you"ll find a blank for words that should not appear.
verb
Make (something) blank or empty.
example - electronic countermeasures blanked out the radar signalssynonyms - envelop, surround, swathe, enfold, cover, cover up, conceal, hide, secrete, camouflage, disguise, mask, screen, shield, cloak, blanket, shroud, enwrap, canopy, overlay
Defeat (a sports team) without allowing them to score.
Deliberately ignore (someone)
synonyms - ignore, take no notice of, take no account of, pay no attention to, pay no heed to, refuse to acknowledge
/blʌɪnd/
adjective
Unable to see because of injury, disease, or a congenital condition.
example - a blind man with a sticksynonyms - visually impaired, unsighted, sightless, visionless, unseeing, stone blind, eyeless
Lacking perception, awareness, or judgement.
example - a blind acceptance of the status quosynonyms - imperceptive, unperceptive, slow, obtuse, stupid, uncomprehending, unimaginative, insensitive, thick-skinned, bovine, stolid, unintelligent
(of a corner or bend in a road) impossible to see round.
example - two trucks collided on a blind curve in the road
Not the slightest (used in emphatic expressions)
(of a plant) without buds, eyes, or terminal flowers.
example - planting too shallowly is the most common cause of bulbs coming up blind
verb
Cause (someone) to be unable to see, permanently or temporarily.
example - the injury temporarily blinded himsynonyms - make blind, deprive of sight, deprive of vision, render unsighted, render sightless, put someone"s eyes out, gouge someone"s eyes out
Deprive (someone) of understanding, judgement, or perception.
example - he was blinded by his faithsynonyms - deprive of understanding, deprive of perception, deprive of judgement, deprive of reason, deprive of sense
Move very fast and dangerously.
noun
A screen for a window, especially one on a roller or made of slats.
example - she pulled down the blindssynonyms - screen, shade, louvre, awning, canopy, sunshade, curtain, shutter, cover, covering, protection
Something designed to conceal one"s real intentions.
example - he phoned again from his own home: that was just a blind for his wifesynonyms - deception, camouflage, screen, smokescreen, front, facade, cover, disguise, cloak, pretext, masquerade, mask, feint
A heavy drinking bout.
synonyms - drinking bout, debauch
adverb
Without being able to see clearly.
example - he was the first pilot in history to fly blind
/blɒk/
noun
A large solid piece of hard material, especially rock, stone, or wood, typically with flat surfaces on each side.
example - a block of marblesynonyms - chunk, hunk, brick, slab, lump, piece
A large single building subdivided into separate rooms, flats, or offices.
example - a block of flatssynonyms - building, complex, structure, development
A large quantity or allocation of things regarded as a unit.
example - a block of sharessynonyms - batch, group, cluster, set, section, quantity, series
An obstacle to the normal progress or functioning of something.
example - substantial demands for time off may constitute a block to career advancementsynonyms - obstacle, obstruction, bar, barrier, impediment, hindrance, check, hurdle, stumbling block
A flat area of something, especially a solid area of colour.
example - cover the eyelid with a neutral block of colour
A pulley or system of pulleys mounted in a case.
example - a simple pulley block
verb
Make the movement or flow in (a passage, pipe, road, etc.) difficult or impossible.
example - the narrow roads were blocked by carssynonyms - clog, clog up, stop up, choke, plug, obstruct, gum up, occlude, dam up, congest, jam, close
Impress text or a design on (a book cover).
example - Original blue cloth, spine lettered and blocked in gold.
Shape or reshape (a hat) on a mould.
example - nobody cleans and blocks old felt hats any more
Design or plan the movements of actors on a stage or movie set.
/blɒɡ/
noun
A regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.
example - I"m talking about a tightly woven group of citizens united by web cams, blogs, pod casts and instant messages.synonyms - description, report, version, story, narration, narrative, statement, news, explanation, exposition, interpretation, communiqué, recital, rendition, sketch, delineation, portrayal, tale
verb
Add new material to or regularly update a blog.
example - it"s about a week since I last blogged
/blɒnd/
adjective
(of hair) fair or pale yellow.Having hair of a fair or pale yellow colour.Having fair hair and a light complexion (especially when regarded as a racial characteristic)(of wood or another substance) light in colour.
example - her long blonde hairsynonyms - fair, light, light-coloured, light-toned, yellow, flaxen, tow-coloured, strawberry blonde, yellowish, golden, silver, silvery, platinum, ash blonde
noun
A person with fair or pale yellow hair (typically used of a woman).
example - Who typically has more hair: blondes, brunettes or redheads?
/blʌd/
noun
The red liquid that circulates in the arteries and veins of humans and other vertebrate animals, carrying oxygen to and carbon dioxide from the tissues of the body.
example - drops of bloodsynonyms - gore, lifeblood, vital fluid
Violence involving bloodshed.
example - a commando operation full of blood and dangersynonyms - blood, bloodiness
Fiery or passionate temperament.
example - a ritual that fires up his blood
Family background; descent or lineage.
example - she must have Irish blood in hersynonyms - ancestry, lineage, line, bloodline, descent, parentage, family, house, dynasty, birth, extraction, derivation, origin, genealogy, heritage, breeding, stock, strain, race, pedigree, roots, kinship, consanguinity
A fashionable and dashing young man.
example - a group of young bloodssynonyms - fop, beau, man about town, bright young thing, glamour boy, rake
verb
Initiate (someone) in a particular activity.
example - clubs are too slow to blood young players
Smear the face of (a novice) with the blood of the kill.
example - This long-forgotten mask was given to me out hunting when I was about nine, just after a kill when I was first blooded.
/bləʊ/
verb
(of wind) move creating an air current.
example - a cold breeze was blowing in off the seasynonyms - gust, puff, flurry, blast, roar, bluster, rush, storm
Expel air through pursed lips.
example - Will took a deep breath, and blew
(of an explosion or explosive device) displace violently or send flying.
example - the blast had blown the windows out of the van
Spend recklessly.
synonyms - squander, waste, misspend, throw away, fritter away, spend freely, run through, go through, lose, lavish, dissipate
Waste (an opportunity)
synonyms - spoil, ruin, bungle, make a mess of, mess up, fudge, muff
Used in various expressions to express surprise or as a mild oath.
Perform fellatio on (a man).
Be extremely bad or unwelcome.
(of flies) lay eggs in or on (something).
example - He then coats the eggs with mucus, swims up to his nest, and blows them into the mass of bubbles.
noun
A strong wind.
example - we"re in for a bit of a blowsynonyms - gale, storm, tempest, hurricane, blast, superstorm
An act of blowing an instrument.
example - a number of blows on the whistlesynonyms - toot, blare, blast, sound, whistle, shriek
Cannabis.
/bluː/
adjective
Of a colour intermediate between green and violet, as of the sky or sea on a sunny day.
example - the clear blue skysynonyms - sky blue, azure, cobalt, cobalt blue, sapphire, cerulean, navy, navy blue, saxe, saxe blue, Oxford blue, Cambridge blue, ultramarine, lapis lazuli, indigo, aquamarine, turquoise, teal, teal blue, cyan, of the colour of the sky, of the colour of the sea
(of a person or mood) melancholy, sad, or depressed.
synonyms - depressed, down, sad, saddened, unhappy, melancholy, miserable, sorrowful, gloomy, dejected, downhearted, disheartened, despondent, dispirited, low, in low spirits, low-spirited, heavy-hearted, glum, morose, dismal, downcast, cast down, tearful
(of a film, joke, or story) having sexual or pornographic content.
synonyms - indecent, dirty, rude, coarse, vulgar, bawdy, lewd, racy, risqué, salacious, naughty, wicked, improper, unseemly, smutty, spicy, raw, off colour, ribald, Rabelaisian
Politically conservative.
noun
Blue colour or pigment.
example - she was dressed in blue
A small butterfly, the male of which is predominantly blue while the female is typically brown.
example - The male blues show much more interest in these yellow bushes.
A person who has represented Cambridge University (a Cambridge blue) or Oxford University (an Oxford blue) at a particular sport in a match between the two universities.
example - a flyweight boxing blue
An argument or fight.
A mistake.
A nickname for a red-headed person.
A supporter of the Conservative Party.
verb
Make or become blue.
example - the light dims, bluing the retina
Wash (white clothes) with bluing.
example - they blued the shirts and starched the uniforms
/bɔːd/
noun
A long, thin, flat piece of wood or other hard material, used for floors or other building purposes.
example - loose boards creaked as I walked on themsynonyms - plank, beam, panel, slat, batten, timber, length of timber, piece of wood, lath
A thin, flat piece of wood or other stiff material used for various purposes.
example - I"ve checked the boards, the panels and the wiring.
A group of people constituted as the decision-making body of an organization.
example - he sits on the board of directorssynonyms - committee, council, panel, directorate, commission, group, delegation, delegates, trustees, panel of trustees, convocation
The provision of regular meals when one stays somewhere, in return for payment or services.
example - board and lodgingsynonyms - food, meals, daily meals, provisions, sustenance, nourishment, fare, diet, menu, table, bread, daily bread, foodstuffs, refreshments, edibles
A distance covered by a vessel in a single tack.
verb
Get on or into (a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle)
example - we boarded the plane for Oslosynonyms - get on, enter, go on board, go aboard, step aboard, climb on, mount, ascend, embark
Live and receive regular meals in a house in return for payment or services.
example - the cousins boarded for a while with Rubysynonyms - lodge, live, reside, have rooms, be quartered, be housed, be settled, have one"s home
Cover or seal a window or building with pieces of wood.
example - the shop was still boarded upsynonyms - cover over, cover up, close up, shut up, seal
Ride on a snowboard.
example - when we"re not boarding, we"re skiing
/bəʊt/
noun
A small vessel for travelling over water, propelled by oars, sails, or an engine.
example - a fishing boatsynonyms - vessel, craft, watercraft, ship
A serving dish in the shape of a boat.
verb
Travel in a boat for pleasure.
example - they boated through fjordssynonyms - sail, yacht, go sailing, cruise, travel by boat
/ˈbɒdi/
noun
The physical structure, including the bones, flesh, and organs, of a person or an animal.
example - it"s important to keep your body in good conditionsynonyms - anatomy, figure, frame, form, shape, build, physique, framework, skeleton, bones, flesh and bones
The main section of a motor vehicle or aircraft.
example - the factory had produced more car bodies than neededsynonyms - bodywork, hull, fuselage, outer casing
The main or central part of something, especially a building or text.
example - the main body of the house was built in 1625synonyms - main part, principal part, central part, core, heart, hub, nub, kernel
A large amount or collection of something.
example - a rich body of Canadian folkloresynonyms - expanse, mass, area, stretch, region, tract, breadth, sweep, extent, aggregate, accumulation, concretion, accretion
A material object.
example - the path taken by the falling bodysynonyms - object, entity, item, piece of matter
A full or substantial quality of flavour in wine.
example - best of all, this wine has body and finish
A woman"s close-fitting stretch garment for the upper body, fastening at the crotch.
(in pottery) a clay used for making the main part of ceramic ware, as distinct from a glaze.
example - In Siraj"s ceramics, this body is in clay, bearing several forms and colours within it.
verb
Give material form to something abstract.
example - he bodied forth the traditional Prussian remedy for all ills
Build the bodywork of (a motor vehicle)
example - an era when automobiles were bodied over wooden frames
/bɔɪl/
verb
(with reference to a liquid) reach or cause to reach the temperature at which it bubbles and turns to vapour.
example - we asked people to boil their drinking watersynonyms - simmer, bubble, seethe, heat, cook, stew
(with reference to food) cook or be cooked by immersing in boiling water or stock.
example - boil the potatoes until well donesynonyms - bring to the boil, simmer, heat
(of the sea or clouds) be turbulent and stormy.
example - she stood gazing out of the lighthouse window as the sea boiled beneath hersynonyms - be turbulent, be agitated, froth, foam, churn, seethe, bubble, fizz, effervesce
noun
The temperature at which a liquid bubbles and turns to vapour.
example - bring the sauce to the boil and simmer for 10 minutessynonyms - boiling point, 100 degrees Celsius, 100 degrees centigrade
A casual outdoor meal at which shellfish is prepared by boiling.
/bɒm/
noun
A container filled with explosive or incendiary material, designed to explode on impact or when detonated by a timing, proximity, or remote-control device.
example - a bomb attacksynonyms - explosive, incendiary device, incendiary, device
A lump of lava thrown out by an erupting volcano.A pear-shaped weight used to anchor a fishing line to the bottom.
example - Everyone else gets going out of the way of the lava bombs and lava flows.
A large sum of money.
synonyms - a fortune, a small fortune, a king"s ransom, a huge amount, a vast sum, a large sum of money, a lot, millions, billions
A film, play, or other event that fails badly.
An outstandingly good person or thing.
A long forward pass or hit in a ball game.
A cannabis cigarette.
synonyms - cannabis cigarette, marijuana cigarette
verb
Attack (a place or object) with a bomb or bombs.
example - they bombed the city at dawnsynonyms - bombard, drop bombs on, explode, blast
Move very quickly.
synonyms - speed, hurry, race, run, sprint, dash, bolt, dart, rush, hasten, hurtle, career, streak, shoot, whizz, zoom, go like lightning, go hell for leather, spank along, bowl along, rattle along, whirl, whoosh, buzz, swoop, flash, blast, charge, stampede, gallop, sweep, hare, fly, wing, scurry, scud, scutter, scramble
(of a film, play, or other event) fail badly.
synonyms - fail, be unsuccessful, not succeed, lack success, fall through, fall flat, break down, abort, miscarry, be defeated, suffer defeat, be in vain, be frustrated, collapse, founder, misfire, backfire, not come up to scratch, meet with disaster, come to grief, come to nothing, come to naught, miss the mark, run aground, go astray
/bɒnd/
noun
A relationship between people or groups based on shared feelings, interests, or experiences.
example - there was a bond of understanding between themsynonyms - friendship, relationship, fellowship, partnership, association, affiliation, alliance, coalition
A connection between two surfaces or objects that have been joined together, especially by means of an adhesive substance, heat, or pressure.
An agreement with legal force.
example - Marriage as a legal bond may become outdated, but I doubt it.synonyms - promise, pledge, vow, avowal, oath, word, word of honour, solemn word, guarantee, assurance
A pattern in which bricks are laid in order to ensure the strength of the resulting structure.
verb
Join or be joined securely to something else, especially by means of an adhesive substance, heat, or pressure.
example - press the material to bond the layers togethersynonyms - join, connect, fasten, fix, affix, attach, secure, bind, stick, glue, gum, paste, cement, fuse, weld, solder
Join or be joined by a chemical bond.
example - neutral molecules bond to the central atom
Lay (bricks) in an overlapping pattern so as to form a strong structure.
example - The projecting bastions are drum-shaped, built of stone laced with horizontal bonding courses of red tile.
Place (dutiable goods) in bond.
example - assets may have to be sold or bonded to provide cash for the payment of this tax
/bəʊn/
noun
Any of the pieces of hard whitish tissue making up the skeleton in humans and other vertebrates.
example - his injuries included many broken bones
The calcified material of which bones consist.
example - an earring of bone
The basic or essential framework of something.
example - you need to put some flesh on the bones of your idea
verb
Remove the bones from (meat or fish) before cooking, serving, or selling.
example - ask your butcher to bone the turkey for you
Study (a subject) intensively, typically in preparation for something.
synonyms - go over, reread, run through, study, memorize
Have sex with (someone).
/bʊk/
noun
A written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers.
example - a book of selected poemssynonyms - volume, tome, work, printed work, publication, title, opus, treatise
A bound set of blank sheets for writing in.
example - an accounts booksynonyms - notepad, notebook, pad, memo pad, exercise book, binder
A set of tickets, stamps, matches, samples of cloth, etc., bound together.
verb
Reserve (accommodation, a place, etc.); buy (a ticket) in advance.
example - I have booked a table at the Swansynonyms - reserve, make a reservation for, arrange in advance, prearrange, arrange for, order
Make an official note of the personal details of (a person who has broken a law or rule)
example - the cop booked me and took me down to the station
Leave suddenly.
/buːt/
noun
A sturdy item of footwear covering the foot and ankle, and sometimes also the lower leg.
example - This winter"s stylish footwear, from ankle boots to sneakers, will have you praying for more days of snowfall.synonyms - gumboot, wellington, wader, walking boot, riding boot, field boot, jackboot, thigh boot, half-boot, ankle boot, pixie boot, Chelsea boot, balmoral, desert boot, moon boot, snow boot
A hard kick.
synonyms - kick, blow, knock
An enclosed space at the back of a car for carrying luggage or other goods.
example - The boot space takes the luggage of a family of four, excluding quad bikes.
The process of starting a computer and putting it into a state of readiness for operation.
verb
Kick (something) hard in a specified direction.
example - he ended up booting the ball into the standsynonyms - kick, punt, bunt, strike with the foot, tap
Start (a computer) and put it into a state of readiness for operation.
example - when I booted the computer I heard a extremely loud rattlesynonyms - start up, fire up, prepare, ready, make ready
Place a wheel clamp on (an illegally parked car)
example - once a car is booted, the owner must pay all fines plus a fee to have the boot removed
/ˈbɔːdə/
noun
A line separating two countries, administrative divisions, or other areas.
example - Panama"s western border with Costa Ricasynonyms - frontier, boundary, partition, borderline, dividing line, bounding line, perimeter
The edge or boundary of something, or the part near it.
example - the northern border of their distribution area
A decorative strip around the edge of something.
example - she stitched a border on to one of the plain white sarissynonyms - decoration, trim, ornamentation, adornment, passementerie, embroidery, frou-frou
verb
Form an edge along or beside (something)
example - a pool bordered by palm treessynonyms - surround, enclose, encircle, circle, edge, skirt, fringe, hem, bound, line, flank
(of a country or area) be adjacent to (another country or area)
example - regions bordering Azerbaijansynonyms - adjoin, abut, abut on, bound on, butt up against, be adjacent to, lie next to, neighbour, be contiguous with, touch, join, connect, meet, reach, extend as far as
Come close to or be developing into (an extreme condition)
example - Sam arrived in a state of excitement bordering on hysteriasynonyms - verge on, approach, come close to, come near to, be near to, be comparable to, approximate to, be tantamount to, be not dissimilar to, be not unlike, be similar to, resemble, look like
/bɔːd/
adjective
Feeling weary and impatient because one is unoccupied or lacks interest in one"s current activity.
example - she got bored with staring out of the windowsynonyms - with nothing to do, unoccupied, unemployed, at leisure, idle, purposeless, aimless, adrift, with time to kill
/ˈbɔːrɪŋ/
adjective
Not interesting; tedious.
example - I"ve got a boring job in an officesynonyms - tedious, dull, monotonous
/bɔːn/
verb
Come into existence as a result of birth.
example - she was born in Aberdeen
adjective
Having a specific nationality.
Having a natural ability to do a particular job.
example - he"s a born engineersynonyms - born, naturally gifted, untaught
/ˈbɒrəʊ/
verb
Take and use (something belonging to someone else) with the intention of returning it.
example - he had borrowed a car from one of his colleaguessynonyms - take, take for oneself, help oneself to, use as one"s own, abscond with, carry off, appropriate, commandeer, abstract
Allow (a certain distance) when playing a shot to compensate for sideways motion of the ball due to a slope or other irregularity.
noun
A slope or other irregularity on a golf course which must be compensated for when playing a shot.
example - I played the round in the company of an ancient caddie, unusually talkative for a Scot, who shaped the sightlines of the present to the borrow of the past.
/bɒs/
noun
A person who is in charge of a worker, group, or organization.
example - I asked my boss for a promotionsynonyms - head, head man, head woman, top man, top woman, chief, principal, director, president, executive, chief executive, chair, chairperson, chairman, chairwoman, manager, manageress, administrator, leader, superintendent, supervisor, foreman, forewoman, overseer, controller, employer, master, owner, proprietor, patron
verb
Give (someone) orders in a domineering manner.
example - he does not like being bossed aroundsynonyms - order about, order around, give orders to, dictate to, impose one"s will on, lord it over, bully, push about, domineer, dominate, ride roughshod over, trample on, try to control, pressurize, browbeat, use strong-arm tactics on
adjective
/bəʊθ/
predeterminer, determiner, & pronoun
Used for emphasis to refer to two people or things, regarded and identified together.
example - both his parents indulged him
adverb
Used before the first of two alternatives to emphasize that the statement being made applies to each (the other alternative being introduced by ‘and’)
example - the film has won favour with both young and old
/ˈbɒðə/
verb
Take the trouble to do something.
example - scientists rarely bother with such niceties
(of a circumstance or event) worry, disturb, or upset (someone)
example - secrecy is an issue which bothers journalistssynonyms - concern oneself, trouble oneself, mind, care, worry oneself, burden oneself, occupy oneself, busy oneself
noun
Effort, trouble, or difficulty.
example - he saved me the bother of having to come up with a speechsynonyms - trouble, effort, exertion, strain, inconvenience, fuss, bustle, hustle and bustle, disruption
exclamation
Used to express mild irritation or impatience.
example - ‘Bother!’ she mutteredsynonyms - damn, damnation, blast, hell, heck, Gordon Bennett
/ˈbɒt(ə)l/
noun
A glass or plastic container with a narrow neck, used for storing drinks or other liquids.
example - he opened the bottle of beersynonyms - container
The courage or confidence needed to do something difficult or dangerous.
synonyms - courage, courageousness, bravery, valour, intrepidity, boldness, nerve, confidence, daring, audacity, pluck, pluckiness, spirit, mettle, spine, backbone, steel, fibre, stout-heartedness
verb
Place (drinks or other liquid) in bottles.
example - the wine was bottled in 1997
Throw a glass bottle at (someone)
Lose one"s nerve and decide not to do (something)
/ˈbɒtəm/
noun
The lowest point or part of something.
example - the bottom of the pagesynonyms - foot, lowest part, lowest point, base, extremity
A person"s buttocks.
example - he climbs the side of the gorge, scratching his bottom unselfconsciouslysynonyms - rear, rump, rear end, backside, seat
Stamina or strength of character.
A man who takes the passive role in anal intercourse with another man.
adjective
In the lowest position.
example - the books on the bottom shelfsynonyms - lowest, last, bottommost, undermost, ground
Denoting a flavour (variety) of unstable quark having an electric charge of -1/3. Bottom quarks have similar properties to down quarks and strange quarks, but are distinguished from them by having a larger mass.
example - Each quark can be chosen from any of six flavours: up, down, strange, charm, bottom and top.
verb
(of a situation) reach the lowest point before stabilizing or improving.
example - encouraging signs suggested the recession was bottoming out
(of a ship) reach or touch the ground under the sea.
example - nuclear submarines cannot bottom
/bəʊl/
noun
A round, deep dish or basin used for food or liquid.
example - a mixing bowlsynonyms - dish, basin, pan, pot, crock, crucible, mortar
A natural basin.
example - Her wings had long since begun to ache when she finally crossed the circle of mountains into the natural bowl beyond.synonyms - hollow, valley, dip, depression, indentation, well, trough, crater, cavity, concavity, sinkhole, hole, pit, excavation
A stadium for sporting or musical events.
example - the Hollywood Bowlsynonyms - stadium, arena, amphitheatre, coliseum, colosseum
/bɒks/
noun
A container with a flat base and sides, typically square or rectangular and having a lid.
example - a cigarette boxsynonyms - carton, pack, packet, package
An area on a page that is to be filled in or that contains separate printed matter.
example - tick the box on the coupon
A separate section or enclosed area reserved for a group of people in a theatre or sports ground, or for witnesses or the jury in a law court.
A protective casing for a piece of a mechanism.
example - in the second variation, a switch loop, only one cable enters the box
A facility at a newspaper office for receiving replies to an advertisement.
A woman"s vagina.
verb
Put in or provide with a box.
example - each piece is boxed with a certificate of authenticitysynonyms - package, pack, parcel, wrap, bundle, bale, crate
/bɔɪ/
noun
A male child or youth.
example - a four-year-old boysynonyms - male child, youngster, youth, lad, young man, young fellow, young person, teenager, adolescent
A man, especially a young or relatively young one.
example - I was the new boy at the officesynonyms - man, fellow, gentleman
exclamation
Used to express strong feelings, especially of excitement or admiration.
/ˈbɔɪfrɛnd/
noun
A person"s regular male companion with whom they have a romantic or sexual relationship.
example - His mum was a single mother who had a succession of boyfriends, none of whom were able to act as a father figure to him or his sister Denise.synonyms - partner, lover, significant other, young man, man, escort, suitor, wooer, admirer, follower, beau
Denoting an item of clothing for a woman or girl that is designed to be loose-fitting or slightly oversized.
synonyms - baggy, loose-fitting, easy-fitting, generously cut, slack, roomy, boyfriend
/breɪn/
noun
An organ of soft nervous tissue contained in the skull of vertebrates, functioning as the coordinating centre of sensation and intellectual and nervous activity.
example - a brain tumoursynonyms - cerebrum, cerebral matter
Intellectual capacity.
example - I didn"t have enough brains for the sciencessynonyms - intelligence, intellect, intellectual capacity, mental capacity, brainpower, cleverness, wit, wits, powers of reasoning, reasoning, wisdom, sagacity, acumen, discernment, shrewdness, judgement, understanding, common sense, sense
verb
Hit (someone) hard on the head with an object.
synonyms - hit over the head, hit on the head, hit, strike, buffet, bang, knock, thwack, slug, welt, cuff, punch, smash
/brɑːn(t)ʃ/
noun
A part of a tree which grows out from the trunk or from a bough.
example - Sophie was in the branches of a tree eating an applesynonyms - bough, limb, arm, offshoot
verb
(of a road or path) divide into one or more subdivisions.
example - follow this track south until it branches into twosynonyms - fork, bifurcate, divide, subdivide, split, separate, go in different directions
(of a tree or plant) bear or send out branches.
example - this rose has a tendency to branch and spread at the top
/brand/
noun
A type of product manufactured by a particular company under a particular name.
example - a new brand of soap powdersynonyms - make, line, label, marque
An identifying mark burned on livestock or (in former times) criminals or slaves with a branding iron.
example - the brand on a sheep identifies it as minesynonyms - identifying mark, identification, marker, earmark
A piece of burning or smouldering wood.
example - he took two burning brands from the firesynonyms - firebrand, brand
A sword.
verb
Mark with a branding iron.
example - the seller had branded the animal with his grandfather"s namesynonyms - mark, stamp, burn, sear
Assign a brand name to.
example - Sometimes consumers may be quite happy buying a low-priced branded product knowing that it is a counterfeit copy.
/breɪv/
adjective
Ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage.
example - a brave soldiersynonyms - courageous, plucky, fearless, valiant, valorous, intrepid, heroic, lionhearted, manful, macho, bold, daring, daredevil, adventurous, audacious, death-or-glory
noun
A North American Indian warrior.
example - Thwarting a U.S. raid at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, Sioux and Cheyenne braves took no prisoners, killing Custer and 265 of his men.
verb
Endure or face (unpleasant conditions or behaviour) without showing fear.
example - these six men braved the rough seassynonyms - endure, put up with, bear, withstand, weather, suffer, sustain, go through
/brɛd/
noun
Food made of flour, water, and yeast mixed together and baked.
example - a loaf of bread
Money.
synonyms - cash, hard cash, ready money
verb
Coat (food) with breadcrumbs before cooking.
example - bread the chicken and fry it in oil.
/breɪk/
verb
Separate or cause to separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain.
example - the branch broke with a loud snapsynonyms - shatter, smash, smash to smithereens, crack, snap, fracture, fragment, splinter
Interrupt (a sequence, course, or continuous state)
example - the new government broke the pattern of growthsynonyms - interrupt, disturb, interfere with
Fail to observe (a law, regulation, or agreement)
example - the council says it will prosecute traders who break the lawsynonyms - contravene, violate, fail to comply with, fail to observe, disobey, infringe, breach, commit a breach of, transgress against
Crush the emotional strength, spirit, or resistance of.
example - the idea was to better the prisoners, not to break them
(of the weather) change suddenly, especially after a fine spell.
example - the weather broke and thunder rumbled through a leaden skysynonyms - change, undergo a change, alter, shift, metamorphose
(of news or a scandal) suddenly become public.
example - since the news broke I"ve received thousands of wonderful letterssynonyms - erupt, burst out, break out
(chiefly of an attacking player or team, or of a military force) make a rush or dash in a particular direction.
example - Mitchell won possession and broke quickly, allowing Hughes to score
noun
An interruption of continuity or uniformity.
example - the magazine has been published without a break since 1950synonyms - interruption, interval, gap, hiatus, lapse of time, lacuna
A pause in work or during an activity or event.
example - I need a break from mental activitysynonyms - rest, respite, interval, breathing space, lull, recess
A gap or opening.
example - the track bends left through a break in the hedgesynonyms - gap, opening, space, hole, breach, chink, crack, fissure, cleft, rift, chasm
An instance of breaking something, or the point where something is broken.
example - he was stretchered off with a break to the leg
A rush or dash in a particular direction, especially by an attacking player or team.
example - Norwich scored on a rare break with 11 minutes left
An opportunity or chance, especially one leading to professional success.
synonyms - opportunity, stroke of luck, chance, opening, foot in the door
A consecutive series of successful shots, scoring a specified number of points.
example - a break of 83 put him in front for the first time
A bud or shoot sprouting from a stem.
example - The dormant oil is usually defined as a heavier weight oil applied in spring prior to bud break or in the fall after leaf drop.
/ˈbrɛkfəst/
noun
A meal eaten in the morning, the first of the day.
example - I don"t eat breakfast
verb
Eat breakfast.
example - she breakfasted on fried bread and baconsynonyms - eat, munch, munch on, ingest, consume, take, partake of, taste, swallow, devour, feast on, gulp, gulp down, gobble, gobble down, wolf, wolf down, scoff, scoff down, tuck in, tuck into, breakfast, breakfast on, lunch, lunch on, dine, dine on
/brɛst/
noun
Either of the two soft, protruding organs on the upper front of a woman"s body which secrete milk after childbirth.
example - Caroline crossed her arms over her breastssynonyms - mammary gland, mamma
A person"s chest, especially when regarded as the seat of the emotions.
example - wild feelings of frustration were rising up in his breastsynonyms - heart, soul, bosom, seat of one"s emotions, seat of one"s feelings, innermost being, core
verb
Face and move forwards against or through (something)
example - I watched him breast the wave
/brɛθ/
noun
The air taken into or expelled from the lungs.
example - I was gasping for breathsynonyms - wind
/briːð/
verb
Take air into the lungs and then expel it, especially as a regular physiological process.
example - she was breathing deeplysynonyms - inhale and exhale, respire, draw breath
/ˈbriːðɪŋ/
noun
The process of taking air into and expelling it from the lungs.
example - his breathing was shallowsynonyms - breath, breathing out
A sign in Greek (῾ or ᾿) indicating the presence of an aspirate (rough breathing) or the absence of an aspirate (smooth breathing) at the beginning of a word.
example - Greek was very like Latin with the added burden of a new alphabet to learn, with breathings and subscripts.
/brʌɪd/
noun
A woman on her wedding day or just before and after the event.
example - the bride and groom left early last nightsynonyms - newly-wed, honeymooner
/brɪdʒ/
noun
A structure carrying a road, path, railway, etc. across a river, road, or other obstacle.
example - a bridge across the River Thamessynonyms - viaduct, aqueduct, overpass
The elevated, enclosed platform on a ship from which the captain and officers direct operations.
example - Talbot stepped across the two gunwales and made his way up to the bridge
The upper bony part of a person"s nose.
example - he pushed his spectacles further up the bridge of his nose
A partial denture supported by natural teeth on either side.
example - A temporary bridge can be made so that you cannot see the spaces between the remaining teeth.
The part of a stringed instrument over which the strings are stretched.
example - ebony bridges and fingerboards
A bridge passage or middle eight.
example - They write choruses and bridges and songs that last longer than a minute and a half.
The support for the tip of a billiard cue formed by the hand.
example - I have been playing pool for almost 5 years and since I have started I have been using an open bridge.
An electric circuit with two branches across which a detector or load is connected, used to measure resistance or other property by equalizing the potential across the two ends of a detector, or to rectify an alternating voltage or current.
example - The internal harnesses comprise unlabeled black wires terminated at the bridge rectifiers and filter caps.
verb
Be or make a bridge over (something)
example - a covered walkway bridged the gardenssynonyms - span, cross, cross over, go over, pass over, extend across, reach across, traverse, arch over
/briːf/
adjective
Of short duration; not lasting for long.
example - the president made a brief working visit to Moscowsynonyms - short, flying, fleeting, hasty, hurried, quick, cursory, perfunctory
(of a piece of clothing) not covering much of the body; scanty.
example - a pair of extremely brief black shortssynonyms - skimpy, scanty, revealing, short
noun
A set of instructions given to a person about a job or task.
example - his brief is to turn round the county"s fortunessynonyms - instructions, directions, directives, briefing
A summary of the facts and legal points in a case given to a barrister to argue in court.
example - My brief in this matter arose only some 40 minutes ago.synonyms - summary of the facts, case, argument, contention
A letter from the Pope to a person or community on a matter of discipline.
example - He has delivered a papal brief recommending it to that prince that he will take the same steps in this matter.
verb
Instruct or inform (someone) thoroughly, especially in preparation for a task.
example - she briefed him on last week"s decisionssynonyms - inform of, tell about, bring up to date on, update on, notify of, advise of, acquaint with, apprise of, give information about
Instruct (a barrister) by brief.
example - The exercise of sound judgment in briefing a barrister is one of the professional services a solicitor offers a client.synonyms - employ, authorize to act for one, brief, give information to
/brʌɪt/
adjective
Giving out or reflecting much light; shining.
example - the sun was dazzlingly brightsynonyms - shining, light, brilliant, vivid, blazing, dazzling, beaming, intense, glaring
Intelligent and quick-witted.
example - a bright ideasynonyms - clever, intelligent, sharp, quick-witted, quick, smart, canny, astute, intuitive, acute, alert, keen, perceptive, ingenious, inventive, resourceful, proficient, accomplished, gifted, brilliant
Cheerful and lively.
example - at breakfast she would be persistently bright and chirpysynonyms - happy, genial, cheerful, cheery, jolly, joyful, glad, merry, sunny, light-hearted, blithe, beaming
(of sound) clear, vibrant, and typically high-pitched.
example - her voice is fresh and brightsynonyms - clear, vibrant, pellucid
adverb
Brightly.
example - a full moon shining brightsynonyms - brightly, brilliantly, vividly, intensely
noun
Bold and vivid colours.
example - a choice of colours from pastels through to brights
Headlights switched to full beam.
example - he turned the brights on and we drove along the dirt road
/ˈbrɪlj(ə)nt/
adjective
(of light or colour) very bright.
example - brilliant sunshine illuminated the scenesynonyms - bright, shining, blazing, dazzling, light
Exceptionally clever or talented.
example - he was quite brilliant and was promoted almost at oncesynonyms - gifted, talented, virtuoso, genius, accomplished, ingenious, masterly, inventive, creative
Excellent; marvellous.
synonyms - excellent, marvellous, superb, very good, first-rate, first-class, wonderful, outstanding, exceptional, magnificent, splendid, superlative, matchless, peerless
noun
A diamond of brilliant cut.
example - an elegant necklace with four rows of brilliantssynonyms - gem, gemstone, precious stone, semi-precious stone, stone, brilliant
/brɪŋ/
verb
Take or go with (someone or something) to a place.
example - she brought Luke home from hospitalsynonyms - conduct, escort, guide, lead, usher, show, show someone the way, lead the way, pilot, accompany
Cause (someone or something) to be in a particular state or condition.
example - it was an economic policy that would have brought the country to bankruptcy
Initiate (legal action) against someone.
example - charges should be brought against themsynonyms - put forward, prefer, propose, present, submit, lay, initiate, introduce, institute, moot
Force oneself to do something unpleasant.
example - she could not bring herself to mention itsynonyms - force oneself to, make oneself, bear to
/brɔːd/
adjective
Having a distance larger than usual from side to side; wide.
example - a broad staircasesynonyms - wide, large, big
Covering a large number and wide scope of subjects.
example - the company has a broad range of experiencesynonyms - comprehensive, inclusive, extensive, wide, wide-ranging, broad-ranging, encyclopedic, all-embracing
General; without detail.
example - a broad outline of the legal framework for pension schemessynonyms - general, non-specific, unspecific, unfocused, rough, approximate, overall, sweeping, basic, loose, indefinite, vague, hazy, fuzzy, woolly
Somewhat coarse and indecent.
example - the broad humour has been toned downsynonyms - indecent, improper, coarse, unrefined, indelicate, ribald, risqué, racy, rude, spicy, suggestive, naughty, indecorous, off colour, earthy, smutty, dirty, filthy, vulgar, gross
(of a regional accent) very noticeable and strong.
example - the words had a distinct tang of broad Lancashiresynonyms - noticeable, strong, thick, heavy, pronounced
noun
A woman.
synonyms - lady, adult female, female
/ˈbrɔːdkɑːst/
verb
Transmit (a programme or some information) by radio or television.
example - the announcement was broadcast livesynonyms - transmit, relay, air, beam, put out, send out, put on the air, put on the airwaves, show, screen, televise, telecast, videocast, podcast, live-stream
Scatter (seeds) by hand or machine rather than placing in drills or rows.
example - the second method is to broadcast the seeds together with not more than 1 kg to the acre of rapeseedsynonyms - scatter, sow, disperse, sprinkle, spread, distribute, disseminate, strew, throw, toss, fling
noun
A radio or television programme or transmission.
example - the Queen"s annual Christmas TV broadcastsynonyms - programme, show, production, presentation, performance
adjective
Relating to radio or television programmes.
example - a broadcast journalist
adverb
By scattering.
example - green manures can be sown broadcast or in rows
/ˈbrəʊk(ə)n/
adjective
Having been broken.
example - he had a broken armsynonyms - smashed, shattered, burst, fragmented, splintered, shivered, crushed, snapped, rent, torn, ruptured, separated, severed, in bits, in pieces
(of a person) having given up all hope; despairing.
example - he went to his grave a broken mansynonyms - defeated, beaten, vanquished, overpowered, overwhelmed, subdued
Having breaks or gaps in continuity.
example - a broken white line across the roadsynonyms - interrupted, disturbed, fitful, disrupted, disconnected, discontinuous, fragmentary, intermittent, unsettled, sporadic, spasmodic, erratic, troubled, incomplete
Having an uneven and rough surface.
example - he pressed onwards over the broken groundsynonyms - uneven, rough, irregular, bumpy
/ˈbrʌðə/
noun
A man or boy in relation to other sons and daughters of his parents.
example - he recognized her from her strong resemblance to her brothersynonyms - male sibling
A (male) fellow Christian.
example - My desire is that Protestants would see me as a friend and a brother in Christ.
exclamation
Used to express annoyance or surprise.
/braʊn/
adjective
Of a colour produced by mixing red, yellow, and blue, as of dark wood or rich soil.
example - an old brown coatsynonyms - hazel, chocolate-coloured, coffee-coloured, cocoa-coloured, nut brown
(of a person) dark-skinned or suntanned.
example - his face was brown from the sunsynonyms - tanned, suntanned, perma-tanned, sunburned, browned, bronze, bronzed, weather-beaten
noun
Brown colour or pigment.
example - the brown of his eyes
A brown thing, in particular the brown ball in snooker.
example - However, the teenager held his nerve in the decider, Cooper requiring snookers on the brown when 73-49 down.
A satyrid butterfly, which typically has brown wings with small eyespots.
example - A similar species is the Meadow Brown, especially in the female sex, which likes to rest with closed wings however, especially the far less active females.
another term for coloured (sense 2 of the noun)
verb
Make or become brown, typically by cooking.
example - a skillet in which food has been brownedsynonyms - singe, sear, seal, crisp, crisp up
/brʌʃ/
noun
An implement with a handle and a block of bristles, hair, or wire, used especially for cleaning, applying a liquid or powder to a surface, or arranging the hair.
example - a shaving brushsynonyms - broom, sweeper, besom, whisk, sweeping brush
A light and fleeting touch.
example - the lightest brush of his lips against her cheeksynonyms - touch, stroke, skim, graze, glance, rub, shave, pat, nudge, contact
The bushy tail of a fox.
example - Shortly after the tragic incident people started to notice that every night a large fox with a black brush would come and lay across the old woman"s grave.synonyms - tail, tailpiece
A drumstick with long wire bristles, used to make a soft hissing sound on drums or cymbals.
example - The sound is almost like brushes on a snare drum.
A piece of carbon or metal serving as an electrical contact with a moving part in a motor or alternator.
example - Thus, pump life has been limited by the wear of the brushes in conventional brush-type motors.
Women regarded sexually.
verb
Remove (dust or dirt) by sweeping or scrubbing.
example - we"ll be able to brush the mud off easilysynonyms - sweep, clean, buff, scrub
Touch something lightly and gently.
example - their fingers brushed as she took the glass from himsynonyms - touch, stroke, caress, skim, sweep, graze, shave, glance, contact, flick, scrape
/ˈbʌb(ə)l/
noun
A thin sphere of liquid enclosing air or another gas.
example - we"d shake up a piece of soap in a tin of warm water and blow bubblessynonyms - globe, ball, orb, spheroid, globule, round
Used to refer to a good or fortunate situation that is isolated from reality or unlikely to last.
example - we both lived in a bubble, the kind provided by occupying a privileged pied-à-terre in Greenwich Villagesynonyms - illusion, delusion, fantasy, dream, pipe dream, daydream, chimera, vanity, castle in the air
A transparent domed cover or enclosure.
example - piglets born into a sterile bubble
A marine mollusc that typically has a thin scroll-like shell.
example - When the animal dies, the shells often wash up on beaches and are hard to distinguish from the bubbles produced by waves splashing on the shore, hence the name ‘bubble shells.’
verb
(of a liquid) form rising bubbles of gas or air.
example - a pot of coffee bubbled away on the stovesynonyms - sparkle, fizz, effervesce, gurgle, foam, froth, spume
/ˈbʌdʒɪt/
noun
An estimate of income and expenditure for a set period of time.
example - keep within the household budgetsynonyms - financial plan, financial estimate, financial blueprint, prediction of revenue and expenditure, forecast
A quantity of written or printed material.
verb
Allow or provide a particular amount of money in a budget.
example - the university is budgeting for a deficitsynonyms - allocate, allot, assign, allow, earmark, devote, designate, appropriate, set aside
adjective
Inexpensive.
example - a budget guitarsynonyms - cheap, inexpensive, economy, economic, economical, low-cost, low-price, low-budget, reasonable, reasonably priced, cut-price, cut-rate, discount, discounted, bargain, bargain-basement
/bɪld/
verb
Construct (something) by putting parts or material together.
example - the ironworks were built in 1736synonyms - construct, erect, put up, assemble, set up, raise
Make stronger or more intense.
example - we built up confidence in our abilitiessynonyms - boost, strengthen, increase, improve, invigorate, augment, raise, intensify, enhance, escalate, multiply, swell
noun
The proportions of a person"s or animal"s body.
example - she was of medium height and slim buildsynonyms - physique, frame, body, figure, form, structure, shape, make-up, formation, stature
The style or form of construction of something, especially a vehicle.
example - the car"s high specification and impressive build qualitysynonyms - pattern, form, shape, format, structure, configuration, construction, frame, build, model, design, arrangement, organization, formation, figure, cast, kind, brand, make, line, type, cut, style
A compiled version of a program.
example - a beta build of the program
/ˈbɪldɪŋ/
noun
A structure with a roof and walls, such as a house or factory.
example - In my view, it would be illogical and incorrect to describe these two buildings as a house.synonyms - structure, construction, edifice, erection, pile
The action or trade of constructing something.
example - the building of motorwayssynonyms - construction, erection, putting up, raising, establishment, fabrication, production, assembly
A flock of rooks.
example - a picture of her standing amongst a building of rooks
/ˈbʊlɪt/
noun
A metal projectile for firing from a rifle, revolver, or other small firearm, typically cylindrical and pointed, and sometimes containing an explosive.
example - She said authorities also found in the car automatic rifles, bullet cartridges, plastic explosives and other materials.synonyms - ball, shot
A small symbol used to introduce each item in a list, for emphasis.
example - Here"s a bullet pointed list of how my trip went, because I realize I"ve been less than linear here.
A stick of lipstick (considered separately from the tube in which it is encased)
example - you can apply your lipstick straight from the bullet but I like to use a brush
/bʌn(t)ʃ/
noun
A number of things, typically of the same kind, growing or fastened together.
example - a bunch of grapessynonyms - bouquet, spray, posy, nosegay, corsage
A girl"s hairstyle in which the hair is tied back into two clumps at the back or on either side of the head.
example - Nerdy Girl had her oily hair in ridiculously high bunches on either side of her head.
verb
Collect or fasten into a compact group.
example - she bunched the needles togethersynonyms - bundle, clump, cluster, group, arrange, gather, collect, assemble
/bəːn/
verb
(of a fire) produce flames and heat while consuming a material such as coal or wood.
example - a fire burned and crackled cheerfully in the gratesynonyms - be on fire, be alight, be ablaze, blaze, go up, go up in smoke, be in flames, be aflame
Destroy, damage, or injure by heat or fire.
example - he burned all the letterssynonyms - set fire to, set on fire, set alight, set light to, light, set burning, ignite, touch off, put a match to, kindle, incinerate, reduce to ashes, destroy by fire
Produce (a CD or DVD) by copying from an original or master copy.
example - You can purchase and download hardware and software MPEG Encoders to burn a DVD.
Drive or move very fast.
Insult (someone) in a particularly cutting way.
noun
An injury caused by exposure to heat or flame.
example - he was treated in hospital for burns to his hands
Consumption of a type of fuel as an energy source.
example - natural gas produces the cleanest burn of the lot
An act of clearing of vegetation by burning.
example - In the period prior to the bush fire danger period, landholders are still responsible for any burning activity including pile burns or broad acre burns.
A cigarette.
/ˈbɛri/
verb
Put or hide underground.
example - he buried the box in the back gardensynonyms - subterranean, subterrestrial, below ground, buried, sunken, lower-level, basement
Cover (someone or something) completely.
example - the countryside has been buried under layers of concretesynonyms - hide, conceal, cover, put out of sight, secrete, enfold
/bʌs/
noun
A large motor vehicle carrying passengers by road, typically one serving the public on a fixed route and for a fare.
example - a bus servicesynonyms - bus, minibus, van
A distinct set of conductors carrying data and control signals within a computer system, to which pieces of equipment may be connected in parallel.
example - A computer system includes a bus interface with a plurality of data buffers.
verb
Transport in a communal road vehicle.
example - staff were bussed in and out of the factory
Remove (dirty plates and dishes) from a table in a restaurant or cafeteria.
example - On a canvassing run with a union shop steward who buses dishes at a local restaurant, the going was rough.
/bʊʃ/
noun
A shrub or clump of shrubs with stems of moderate length.
example - a rose bushsynonyms - shrub, woody plant
(especially in Australia and Africa) wild or uncultivated country.
example - they have to spend a night camping in the bushsynonyms - wilds, remote areas, wilderness
A luxuriant growth of thick hair or fur.
example - a childish face with a bush of bright hair
verb
Spread out into a thick clump.
example - her hair bushed out like a halo
/ˈbɪznəs/
noun
A person"s regular occupation, profession, or trade.
example - experts who typically conduct their business over the internetsynonyms - work, line of work, line, occupation, profession, career, employment, job, day job, position, pursuit, vocation, calling, field, sphere, walk of life, trade, craft
Commercial activity.
example - firms who want to do business with Japansynonyms - trade, trading, commerce, buying and selling, dealing, traffic, trafficking, marketing, merchandising, bargaining
(in Aboriginal English) traditional law and ritual.
example - Ready access to a reliable source of food made the mission a valuable meeting place for traditional business.
A situation or series of events, typically a scandalous or discreditable one.
synonyms - affair, matter, thing, issue, case, set of circumstances, circumstance, situation, occasion, experience, event, incident, happening, occurrence, phenomenon, eventuality, episode, interlude, adventure
Actions on stage other than dialogue.
example - What these critics are missing is the stage business that occurs during the dialogue.
A very enjoyable or popular person or thing.
A group of ferrets.
example - his goons will go through the ship like a business of ferrets
/ˈbɪznɪsmən/
noun
A man who works in commerce, especially at executive level.
/ˈbɪzi/
adjective
Having a great deal to do.
example - he had been too busy to enjoy himselfsynonyms - occupied, occupied in, engaged in, involved in, employed in, working at, labouring at, toiling at, slaving at, hard at work, hard at work on, wrapped up, wrapped up in, wrapped up with
Excessively detailed or decorated.
example - the lavish set designs are a little too busysynonyms - excessively ornate, over-ornate, over-elaborate, over-embellished, overdecorated, overblown, overripe, overwrought, exaggerated, overdone, florid, fussy, cluttered, contrived, overworked, over-detailed, strained, laboured, baroque, rococo
verb
Keep oneself occupied.
example - she busied herself with her new homesynonyms - occupy, involve, engage, concern, employ, absorb, engross, immerse, preoccupy
noun
A police officer.
synonyms - police officer, policeman, policewoman, PC, WPC, officer of the law, detective, DC
/bʌt/
/bət/
conjunction
Used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned.
example - he stumbled but didn"t fallsynonyms - yet
Used to indicate the impossibility of anything other than what is being stated.
example - one cannot but sympathizesynonyms - other than, do other than, otherwise than, except
Used to introduce a response expressing a feeling such as surprise or anger.
example - but that"s an incredible saving!
Used after an expression of apology for what one is about to say.
example - I"m sorry, but I can"t pay you
Without it being the case that.
example - it never rains but it pours
preposition
Except; apart from; other than.
example - we were never anything but poorsynonyms - except, except for, apart from, other than, besides, aside from, with the exception of, short of, bar, barring, excepting, excluding, omitting, leaving out, save, save for, saving
adverb
No more than; only.
example - he is but a shadow of his former selfsynonyms - only, just, simply, merely, no more than, nothing but
(used at the end of a sentence) though; however.
noun
An argument against something; an objection.
example - no buts—just get out of here
/ˈbʌtə/
noun
A pale yellow edible fatty substance made by churning cream and used as a spread or in cooking.
example - They are served hot or cold spread with butter or margarine and sometimes jelly jam and cream.synonyms - fat, oil, cooking oil, animal fat
verb
Spread (something) with butter.
example - Lily buttered a slice of toastsynonyms - cover, coat, layer, daub, smother
/bʌɪ/
verb
Obtain in exchange for payment.
example - she bought six first-class stampssynonyms - purchase, make a purchase of, make the purchase of, acquire, obtain, get, pick up, snap up
Accept the truth of.
synonyms - accept, agree to, consent to, assent to, acquiesce in, concur in, accede to, give one"s blessing to, bless, give one"s seal of approval to, give one"s stamp of approval to, rubber-stamp, say yes to
noun
A purchase.
example - wine is rarely a good buy in duty-free shopssynonyms - purchase, deal, bargain, investment, acquisition, addition, gain, asset, possession, holding
/bʌɪ/
preposition
Identifying the agent performing an action.
synonyms - by means of, by use of, by virtue of, on account of, as a result of, as a consequence of, owing to, by reason of, on grounds of, on the strength of, due to, thanks to, by, via
Indicating the means of achieving something.
example - malaria can be controlled by attacking the parasite
Indicating the amount or size of a margin.
example - the shot missed her by miles
Indicating a deadline or the end of a particular time period.
example - I"ve got to do this report by Mondaysynonyms - no later than, in good time for, at, before
Indicating location of a physical object beside a place or object.
example - remains were discovered by the roadsidesynonyms - next to, beside, next door to, alongside, at the side of, by the side of, abreast of, adjacent to, cheek by jowl with, side by side with
Indicating the period in which something happens.
Concerning; according to.
example - anything you do is all right by mesynonyms - according to, with, as far as … is concerned, concerning
Used in mild oaths.
example - it was the least he could do, by God
adverb
So as to go past.
example - a car flashed by on the other side of the roadsynonyms - past, on, along, beyond
/bʌɪ/
noun
The transfer of a competitor directly to the next round of a competition in the absence of an assigned opponent.
example - he has a bye into the second roundsynonyms - goodbye, farewell
A run scored from a ball that passes the batsman without being hit (recorded as an extra, not credited to the individual batsman).
example - Cricket, with its googlies, boseys, chinamen, silly legs, byes, sundries - the whole argot - was incomprehensible without deep explanation.
One or more holes remaining unplayed after a match has been decided.