Words starting with B

To support or help someone or something. It often means giving approval, resources, or extra strength.

Simple and traditional, using basic ideas or methods again. It describes a return to what is essential, often after something became too complex.

The background behind people or objects in a scene, photo, stage, or room. It is what you see behind the main thing.

The part of a computer system, website, or app that users do not see. It handles data, logic, and server work behind the scenes.

The part of a picture, scene, or view that is behind the main subject. It is what you notice less than the foreground.

Backwoods are remote country areas far from towns and cities. They often have few roads, services, or modern comforts.

Something bad is unpleasant, harmful, low in quality, or morally wrong. It can describe people, actions, situations, taste, weather, or health.

To cook food in an oven or over dry heat. It is often used for bread, cakes, cookies, and some vegetables.

Light shoes worn by ballet dancers for practice or performance. They are soft, thin, and made to help the foot move freely.

A ballotine is a boned piece of meat, poultry, or fish that is stuffed, rolled, and tied or wrapped before cooking. It is often served sliced.

A pleasant-smelling ointment that heals the skin or a gentle, comforting thing that soothes feelings.

So ordinary or common that they feel dull and unoriginal; unoriginal.

A very good song, film, or piece of entertainment. In informal speech, people use it for something exciting and high-energy.

A bank account is an account at a bank where you keep money, pay bills, or receive payments. It records money in and money out.

Only just; by a very small amount. It shows that something is true, but only with little room to spare.

If you are barking up the wrong tree, you are trying the wrong way to solve a problem, or blaming the wrong person. It means your idea, guess, or accusation is not correct.

Baroque describes art, music, or buildings that are highly detailed, grand, and richly decorated. It can also mean a style that feels elaborate or overly fancy.

A design, picture, or shape carved on a surface so that it stands out a little. It is not fully three-dimensional, but it is raised from the background.

Simple, ordinary, and not advanced. It describes the most important or necessary part of something.

A device that stores electricity and gives power to things like phones, remotes, and cars. It can be rechargeable or single-use.

If someone is in deep water, they are in serious trouble or a difficult situation. People use this when a problem is hard to escape or solve.

To be much better, more advanced, or far in front of someone or something. It often suggests a large gap in skill, speed, quality, or progress.

If two people are on the same wavelength, they think or feel similarly. They understand each other easily and agree on the main point.

To avoid talking about the main point directly. Instead of saying what you really mean, you talk around it — using vague or indirect language to delay or dodge the real subject.

A person who likes beats, rhythm, or percussion very much. It is informal and rare. In some contexts, it can also describe a music fan who cares most about the beat.

A beatmaker is a person who creates the instrumental beat for songs, usually with music software or electronic equipment. The beat often gives the song its main rhythm and mood.

Pleasant to look at or hear. It can describe a person, place, thing, or sound that gives strong pleasure.

Informal British slang for a sudden panic or sad feeling just after drinking alcohol, especially after the first rush wears off. It is usually used jokingly or in a self-aware way.

A very large, powerful person or thing; something huge and impressive.

Coming late; happening after the expected or proper time.

Belief is the feeling that something is true or real, or the acceptance that something is true. It can also mean a religious faith or set of ideas.

To shout in a very loud, deep voice, usually in anger, pain, or as a command.

A food or drink that makes you feel full quickly, but does not feel very special or satisfying. It is often used in informal speech.

Used as the past tense and past participle of "benchmark". It means compared with a standard, a best result, or another similar product, person, or system.

The process of comparing performance, quality, or results with a standard or with other companies, products, or teams. It helps you see what is strong, weak, and worth improving.

Having a good or helpful effect on someone or something. Something beneficial improves a situation, supports health, or brings positive results — often over a longer period of time.

Kind and generous in wanting to help others; showing goodwill.

Very upset, annoyed, or offended about something. It often sounds informal and is used in everyday speech.

Benthic means relating to the bottom of a sea, lake, or other body of water. It is used in science, especially biology and ecology.

A benthic habitat is the natural environment on or near the bottom of a sea, lake, or river. It is where bottom-dwelling plants and animals live.

If someone is beside themselves, they are extremely upset, excited, angry, or worried. It means their feelings are so strong that they seem unable to control themselves.

An agreement where you risk money or something valuable on the result of an event. If you are right, you win; if you are wrong, you lose.

To test a new product, app, or system with real users before its final release. It helps find bugs and problems in normal use.

A beverage is a drink, especially one served in a restaurant, shop, or formal setting. It is a more formal word than “drink.”

To confuse someone so they do not know what is happening, what to do, or what to think. It can also mean to make someone feel lost or puzzled.

Bewilderment is a feeling of confusion because something is hard to understand. It can also mean a confused expression or state.

A strong preference that prevents fair judgment.

Large in size, amount, or number. It can also mean important or serious.

Very angry or upset. It is informal and often sounds spoken, not written.

The amount of a drug or substance that enters the body and can be used after it is taken. It is often used in medicine and pharmacy.

Biochemical means related to chemistry in living things. It describes processes, substances, or changes in the body, plants, or other living organisms.

To break down naturally by the action of living things, especially bacteria. It is used for materials that can return to nature over time.

The variety of living things in a place or on Earth. It includes different plants, animals, fungi, and tiny organisms.

Connected with the chemical processes that happen in living things, rocks, water, and air together. It describes how elements move through nature in cycles.

the study of how living things, rocks, water, air, and chemicals interact on Earth. It looks at how elements move and change in nature.

Biological means connected with living things, like plants, animals, and humans. It often describes things that come from nature or life processes.

the light made by living things, such as fireflies, glow-worms, and some sea animals. It is light produced by a chemical reaction inside the body.

The use of body features, such as fingerprints or face shape, to identify a person. It is also the study of measuring living things, especially in science.

The scientific measurement and analysis of living things, especially body features or biological data. In modern use, it often means biometric identification and related measurements.

To disturb or mix soil or sediment by the action of living things, especially animals, roots, or worms. It is mainly used in science and academic writing.

a warm-blooded animal with feathers, wings, and a beak. Birds usually lay eggs and many can fly.

To take on a task or responsibility that is too big or too difficult. It means you try to do more than you can manage well.

To accept and endure a painful, unpleasant, or difficult situation with courage. You use this phrase when there is no easy way out and you must push through something hard without complaining.

Having a sharp, unpleasant taste, like coffee without sugar or some medicines.

A private notebook used to write down names, contacts, or important information. It can also mean a secret list of people to avoid or punish.

To make something pale or white, especially by pouring hot water over food briefly. It can also mean to become pale from fear or shock.

A thick cover used to keep a person or bed warm. It is usually made of wool, cotton, or a soft synthetic material.

Very obvious and easy to notice, often in a negative way.

If a plant blooms, it produces flowers. It can also mean something is developing well and looking healthy.

If the wind blows, it moves air. If you blow, you send air out of your mouth. It can also mean that something is damaged by moving air.

To become suddenly very angry and lose self-control. It is informal and often sounds vivid or dramatic.

To suddenly become very angry and lose control. It is informal and often sounds vivid or dramatic.

A blue error screen on a Windows computer that shows a serious system problem. The computer often stops working or restarts.

The whole physical form of a person or animal, including the head, arms, legs, and other parts. It can also mean the main part of something, without its head or outside cover.

Very complete and fully involved. A body-and-soul effort uses all your energy, attention, and feeling.

If a liquid boils, it becomes hot enough to make bubbles and turn into steam. You can also boil water or food to cook it in hot water.

Noisy, energetic, and rough rather than gentle or calm.

In a brave, confident, or fearless way. It describes doing something without much fear or hesitation.

to give support or help to; to increase or strengthen something.

An explosive weapon that explodes after being set off. It can cause damage, fire, or injury.

A bondholder is a person or company that owns a bond. The bondholder lends money to the issuer and usually receives interest until repayment.

A set of written or printed pages fastened together inside a cover. A book usually tells a story or gives information.

A bookrunner is a bank or financial firm that leads a new share or bond sale. It organizes the deal, gathers buyers, and often shares the work with other firms.

The boondocks are a very remote rural area, far from towns and cities. It is informal, and often suggests the place is inconvenient or hard to reach.

The boonies are a very remote or rural place, far from cities and busy areas. It is informal and often sounds humorous or slightly dismissive.

Feeling unhappy because something is not interesting, or because nothing interesting is happening. It often describes a temporary feeling.

Very bored; bored to an extreme degree. It is an informal phrase used to show strong impatience or lack of interest.

Boredom is the feeling of being tired, restless, or uninterested because nothing is happening. It is the state of not having enough to do, or not finding what is happening engaging.

To take something from someone for a short time, with the idea of giving it back later. You do not pay for it, but you must return it.

Bottarga is salted, cured fish roe, usually from mullet or tuna. It is often sliced thin, grated, or shaved over pasta and other dishes.

A meal at a restaurant or bar where brunch includes unlimited drinks, usually for a fixed time and price. The drinks are often mimosas, prosecco, or cocktails.

Bougie means wanting to show wealth, comfort, or a stylish lifestyle. It is often informal and can sound teasing or critical.

Bouillabaisse is a French fish soup or stew made with fish, shellfish, vegetables, and herbs. It is often served as a rich, special dish.

A sudden, short headache caused by eating or drinking something very cold too quickly. It usually goes away in a few seconds.

A philosophical idea that a brain could be kept alive in a container and fooled into having normal experiences. It is used to ask whether we can really know what is real.

To cook food slowly in a small amount of liquid, usually after first browning it. The food stays partly covered and becomes very tender.

Brave means showing courage when you are afraid or in danger. It describes someone who faces difficult situations without backing away.

A friendly expression meaning "good luck," used especially before a performance or public event. People say it to actors, singers, speakers, or performers before they begin.

To say or do something that helps people feel more relaxed and comfortable at the start of a social situation. It is used when people do not know each other well and things feel awkward or quiet.

The quality of being short and clear; concise expression without unnecessary words.

Brewskis is an informal, humorous word for beers. People usually use it when talking about drinking casually with friends.

For a short time or in a short way. It often means something is said or done without much detail.

Giving a lot of light, or having strong light. It can also mean easy to see because of light or colour.

Briny means tasting or smelling strongly of salt. It is often used for seawater, seafood, or salty food.

To think for a long time about something that makes you upset or worried. It often suggests silent, unhappy thinking.

To spend the winter in a state of very low activity, like hibernation, but used for some animals, especially reptiles and amphibians.

A brush is a tool with bristles, used for cleaning, painting, or styling hair. It can also mean a small area of plants, like a brush of trees.

A mark or stroke made by a brush, especially in painting. It can also mean the style or technique shown by those marks.

The way paint is applied with a brush in a painting. It describes the visible marks, strokes, and style made by the brush.

An amount of money planned for a person, company, or project. It shows how much can be spent.

Feeling sad, disappointed, or upset. It is informal and often used in spoken English.

Cheerful and lively, or able to stay afloat and strong.

1. A system of government departments and rules that can be slow and complicated.

If something burgeons, it grows or develops quickly, often in a healthy or strong way. It is common in writing about business, ideas, cities, or interest.

A burger is a flat round food made from meat, beans, or vegetables, often served in a bun. People usually eat it as a meal with salad, cheese, or sauce.

To make a surface smooth and shiny by rubbing it. It can also mean to improve or polish something, like an image or reputation.

A burrito is a Mexican-style food made with a soft flour tortilla wrapped around meat, beans, rice, cheese, or other fillings. It is usually folded into a neat roll and eaten by hand.

Very full of happiness or excitement. It describes a strong feeling that seems too big to keep inside.

A business plan is a written document that explains a business idea, goals, target customers, and how the business will make money. People use it to plan, start, or grow a business.

To perform music, dance, or street entertainment in a public place for money. It often suggests an informal or street performance.

Very good, especially for food, music, or a fun experience. It is informal slang and sounds casual.

Having a lot of work or many tasks to do. It can also mean full of activity, people, or movement.

A small object used to fasten clothes, bags, or other things. It is usually round and has holes or a back loop.

A structural support that holds a wall firmly in place.

To get something by paying money for it. It is the opposite of sell.

A buyout is the purchase of a business, part of a business, or another person's share in it. It often means one person or company gains control by paying money for ownership.