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English words starting with B — with CEFR levels

492 words from A1 to C2. Click a word to learn it in its unit.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

C2babblev · to talk quickly and unclearly
A1babyn · a very young child
B1babysitv · to look after children while parents are out
B1babysittern · a person paid to look after children
A1backn/adv · the rear part of the body
A2backadj · at the rear of something
B1backv · to move something backwards
B1backachen · pain in the back
A2backgroundn · the part behind the main thing
B1backpackn · a bag carried on your back
B1backpackern · a traveller who carries a backpack and travels cheaply
B1backpackingn · travelling cheaply with a bag on your back
B2backupn · an extra copy of computer files
B2backwardadv · toward the back
B2backyardn · an area behind a house
B1baconn · thin salty meat from a pig
A1badadj · not good
B2bad-temperedadj · easily annoyed and often angry
B2badgen · a small sign showing who you are
A2badlyadv · in a poor or unpleasant way
A2badmintonn · a game with rackets and a light shuttlecock
A1bagn · a container you carry things in
B1baggagen · bags and cases that you take on a trip
A2bakev · to cook food in an oven
B1bakern · a person who makes bread
B1bakeryn · a shop that makes and sells bread
B1balancen · a state where things are equal and steady
B2balancev · to keep different things in equal importance
B2balancedadj · having the right mix of different parts
A2balconyn · a small platform outside an upper window
B1baldadj · having no hair on the head
C1baldv · having little or no hair on the head
C1baldlyadv · in a direct way, without being polite
B2balkyadj · unwilling to work or move as expected
A1balln · a round object used in games
B2balladn · a slow song or poem that tells a story
B2balletn · a style of dance with graceful movements
A2balloonn · a rubber bag filled with air
B2ballotn · a piece of paper used for voting
B2bann/v · an official rule that forbids something
A1bananan · a long yellow fruit
A1bandn · a group of musicians
B1bandagen · a strip of cloth to cover a wound
B1bangn/v · a loud sudden noise
C2banishv · to send someone away as a punishment
C2banishmentn · being forced to leave a place
A1bankn · a place to keep your money
A2bankv · to put money into a bank
B1bank accountn · an arrangement to keep money in a bank
B2bankern · a person who works in a bank
A2bankingn · the business of keeping money in banks
B2bankruptv · to make someone unable to pay their debts
B2bankruptcyn · being unable to pay what you owe
A1barn · a place that serves drinks
B1barv · to stop people from using a road
A2barbecuen · a meal cooked outside over a fire
B1barbecuev · to cook food outside over a fire
A2barbern · a man who cuts men’s hair
B2barbershopn · a shop where men get haircuts
B1bareadj · empty or uncovered
B2barev · to show something that was covered
B1barelyadv · almost not
A2bargainn · something bought for less than its value
B2bargainv · to discuss a price to get a deal
B1barkn · the hard outer layer of a tree
B2barkv · to make a loud sound like a dog
B2barleyn · a grain used in food and drink
B1barmann · a man who serves drinks in a bar
B2barnn · a large farm building for animals or crops
B2barometern · a tool that measures air pressure
C2baroqueadj · in an ornate European style of the 1600s
B1barreln · a round container for liquids
B2barrenadj · unable to support plants or crops
B2barriern · something that stops progress or contact
B2bartendern · a person who serves drinks at a bar
A2basen · the bottom part of something
B1basev · to use something as the starting point
A1baseballn · a team game with a bat and ball
B1basementn · a room below ground level
A2basicadj · simple and most important
A2basicallyadv · in the most important ways
B1basinn · a bowl for washing
B1basisn · the main reason or idea for doing something
A2basketn · a container made of woven material
A1basketballn · a game with a ball and a net
A1batn · a small animal that flies at night
B1batv · to hit the ball with a bat
A2batchn · a group of things made at one time
A1bathn · washing in a tub of water
B1bathev · to wash your body in water
B2bathhousen · a building where people go to wash or bathe
A1bathroomn · a room with a bath or shower
C1battern/v · a liquid mixture of flour, eggs and milk for cooking
C1batteredadj · damaged by long or rough use
A2batteryn · a thing that stores power for a device
B1battlen · a fight between armies
B2battlefieldn · a place where a battle was fought
C2baublen · a small, cheap but pretty decoration
A2bayn · a curved part of the coast
A1bev · to exist or to have a quality
A1beachn · sand next to the sea
B2beaglen · a small hunting dog with long ears
B2beakn · the hard mouth part of a bird
B2beamn · a long, strong piece of wood or metal
A1beann · a small seed we eat as food
A1bearn · a big, strong wild animal
A2bearv · to accept something unpleasant
B1beardn · hair growing on a man’s chin
C1beardedadj · having a beard
B2bearingn · relevance or connection to something
B1beastn · a big wild animal
B1beatv · to defeat someone in a game
B2beatn · the regular rhythm in music
A1beautifuladj · very nice to look at
B1beautifullyadv · in a lovely way
B2beautifyv · to make something more beautiful
A2beautyn · the quality of being nice to look at
B1beavern · an animal that builds dams in rivers
A1becauseconj · for the reason that
B1because ofprep · used to give the reason for something
A1becomev · to start to be
A1bedn · furniture you sleep on
A1bedroomn · a room where you sleep
B1bedsiden · next to a bed
A1been · a small flying insect that makes honey
A1beefn · meat from a cow
A2beenv · past participle of be
A2beern · an alcoholic drink made from grain
A1beforeadv/prep · earlier than
A2beforeconj · earlier than something happens
C1beforehandadv · earlier; before something happens
A2begv · to ask for something in a needy way
A1beginv · to start
A2beginnern · a person who has just started learning
A2beginningn · the first part
C1beguilingadj · charming and attractive in a tricky way
C1beguilinglyadv · in a charming, attractive way
B1behalfn · as a representative of someone
B1behavev · to act in a particular way
A2behaviorn · the way a person acts
C2behestn · an order or request
A1behindadv/prep · at the back of
A2beingn · a living person
B1beliefn · an idea that you think is true
C1believablyadv · in a way that seems true and convincing
A1believev · to think something is true
A1belln · a metal object that rings
C2belligerencen · angry, aggressive behaviour
C2belligerentadj · aggressive and ready to fight
B2bellowv · to shout in a loud, deep voice
A2bellyn · the stomach area of the body
A2belongv · to be owned by someone
B2belongingsn · the things that a person owns
B1belovedadj · loved very much
A1belowadv/prep · lower than
A2beltn · a band worn around the waist
A2benchn · a long seat for several people
A2bendv · to curve or move your body downward
B2bendn · a curve in a road or river
B1beneathprep · under
B2beneficialadj · good for you; helpful
C2beneficiaryn · a person who gains from something
B1benefitn · a good result or advantage
B2benefitv · to gain something good from something
B2benevolencen · kindness and a wish to help others
B2benevolentadj · kind and generous
C1benignadj · not harmful; not cancerous
C1benignlyadv · in a kind and gentle way
B1bentadj · not straight
C1bequeathv · to leave property to someone after death
C2bereftadj · lacking something or having lost it
C2bereftlyadv · in a sad way, having lost something dear
B2berryn · a small soft fruit such as a strawberry
A1besideprep · next to
A2besidesadv · in addition to
B1besidesprep · in addition to
C2besiegev · to surround a place and press on it
A1bestadj/adv · the most good
B2bestowv · to give as an honor
B2bestsellern · a book that sells very many copies
B1betv · to feel sure that something will happen
B2betrayv · to be disloyal to someone who trusts you
A1betteradj · more good
A2betteradv · in a more skilful or good way
A1betweenprep · in the middle of two things
B2bewilderv · to confuse someone completely
B2bewildermentn · a feeling of being very confused
A2beyondprep · on the far side of
A1bicyclen · a vehicle with two wheels and pedals
B2bidv · to offer a price for something
B2biddingn · offers of prices at an auction
A1bigadj · large in size
A1biken · a two-wheeled vehicle you pedal
B2bikinin · a two-piece swimming costume for women
B1bilingualadj · able to speak two languages well
A2billn · a paper that shows how much to pay
B1billv · to send someone a request to pay
C1billiardsn · a game with balls on a covered table
B2billionn · a thousand million
B1binn · a container for rubbish
B2bindv · to tie things tightly together
B2bion · a brief description of a person’s life
B1biochemistryn · the science of chemical processes in living things
B1biographyn · a book about a person’s life
B2biologicaladj · relating to living things or birth
B1biologyn · the study of living things
B2biotechnologyn · using living things to make products
A1birdn · an animal with wings and feathers
B2birdcagen · a cage in which birds are kept
A1birthn · the start of a life
A1birthdayn · the day you were born
B2birthplacen · the place where someone was born
A1biscuitn · a small, dry, sweet cake
B1bishopn · a senior priest in a church
A2bitn · a small amount
A2biten · the act of cutting food with your teeth
B1bitev · to cut with the teeth
B1bitteradj · having a sharp, not sweet taste
B2bitterlyadv · in an angry, unhappy way
B2bizarreadj · very strange and unusual
A1blackn/adj · the colour of night
A2blackboardn · a dark board that you write on
B2bladen · the flat cutting part of a knife
A2blamev · to say someone is responsible for a problem
B1blamen · saying that someone did something bad
C2blandishmentn · flattering words used to persuade
A1blankadj · with nothing on it
A2blanketn · a thick cover for a bed
C1blanknessn · an empty or expressionless state
B2blastn/v · a sudden strong movement of air
B2blazen/v · a large strong fire; to burn brightly
B1bleedv · to lose blood
B1blendv · to mix together into one
B2blendn · a mixture of different kinds together
B1blessv · to ask God to protect something
B1blessingn · something that brings happiness
C2blightn/v · a disease that kills plants
B1blindadj · not able to see
B2blindlyadv · without thinking or seeing clearly
B2blindnessn · the condition of being unable to see
B2blinkv · to close and open your eyes quickly
C1blissn · a state of perfect happiness
C1blistern/v · a small bubble of liquid on the skin
C1blithelyadv · in a carefree way, without thinking of consequences
C2blitzn/v · a sudden, intense effort or campaign
A1blockn · an area of buildings between streets
B1blockv · to stop something moving through a place
C1blockbustern · a very successful and popular film or book
B1blogn · a website with regular personal posts
B1bloggern · a person who writes an online journal
A2blondeadj · with light yellow hair
A2bloodn · the red liquid inside your body
B2bloodstreamn · the flow of blood around the body
B2bloodyadj/adv · covered with blood
A2bloomn · a flower, or the time of flowering
C1bloomv · to produce flowers
B2bloomingadj · having flowers open
B2blossomn · flowers on a tree or plant
A1blowv · to move air; to push by air
A2blown · a hard hit
C2blubbern · thick fat of sea animals like whales
C2blubberyadj · fat and soft, like a layer of blubber
A1bluen/adj · the colour of the sky
B2blurv · to become unclear or hard to see
C2blurbn · a short description praising a book
B2blurtn · a sudden, thoughtless way of saying something
B1blushn · a red colour on the face from shame
B2blushv · to become red in the face from embarrassment
A1boardn · a flat surface for writing
B1boardv · to get on a train, ship or plane
A2board gamen · a game played on a table with pieces
B1boastv · to talk with too much pride about yourself
C1boastn · a proud claim about what you have done
A1boatn · a small vehicle for water
A1bodyn · all the physical parts of a person
C2bogusadj · false, not real
A2boilv · to heat a liquid until it bubbles
A2boiledadj · cooked in hot bubbling water
B2boilingadj · very hot, at the temperature when it bubbles
B1boldadj · strong and clear
B2boldn · thick, dark writing that stands out
B1boldlyadv · in a brave way, without fear
B2boltn/v · a metal bar that locks a door
B1bombn/v · a weapon that explodes
B2bombardn · to attack or overwhelm with many questions or things
B2bombern · a plane that drops bombs
B2bombingn · an attack using bombs
C2bona fideadj · real and genuine
B1bondn · a close link between people
A1bonen · a hard white part inside the body
A2bonusn · extra money given for good work
B2bonyadj · very thin, with bones showing
A1bookn · pages with words that you read
B1bookv · to arrange to use a room or ticket
A2bookcasen · a piece of furniture with shelves for books
B1bookingn · a reservation for a room or ticket
B2bookishadj · fond of reading and studying
B2bookletn · a small thin book with information
B2bookmarkn/v · to save a web page address
A2bookshelfn · a shelf for books
A2bookshopn · a shop that sells books
A1bookstoren · a shop that sells books
B1boomn · a quick increase in business
B2boostn/v · a thing that helps something increase
B1bootn · a strong shoe that covers the ankle
B2boothn · a small closed space for one person
B1bordern · the line between two countries
B1borev · to make someone feel uninterested
A2boredadj · tired and not interested
B1boredomn · the feeling of having nothing interesting to do
A1boringadj · not interesting
A1borrowv · to take something and give it back later
A2bossn · the person in charge at work
B2bossyadj · liking to give orders
B2botanyn · the scientific study of plants
A1bothadv/pron/det · the two together
A2botherv · to disturb someone or cause small trouble
B1bothern · a small problem or trouble
B2botheredadj · worried or annoyed about something
B2bothersomeadj · annoying and causing small problems
A1bottlen · a container for drinks
B2bottlev · to put a drink into bottles
A1bottomn · the lowest part of something
B1bouncev · to spring back after hitting something
B2bouncen · the movement of a ball springing back
B1boundadj · certain to happen
C1bouquetn · a bunch of flowers arranged to give
B2bourbonn · a type of American whiskey
C2boutn · a short period of illness or activity
B1bown · to bend forward as respect
B2bowv · to bend forward as a sign of respect
A1bowln · a deep round dish
B1bowlv · to throw the ball to the player who
A1boxn · a container with straight sides
B2boxern · a person who fights in the sport of boxing
B1boxingn · a sport where two people fight with gloves
A1boyn · a young male person
A1boyfriendn · a boy or man in a love relationship
A2bran · underwear that supports a woman’s chest
B1braceletn · a piece of jewellery for the wrist
B2bracketn · a mark used around text, like [ ]
B2bragn · boastful talk about what you have done
A1brainn · the organ in your head that thinks
A2brainstormn · a group session to think of ideas
B1brainstormingn · a way of finding ideas by sharing them in a group
C1brainwashv · to force someone to accept ideas by pressure
C1brainwashingn · forcing someone to accept ideas by repeated pressure
A2braken · a part that makes a vehicle slow down
B2brakev · to slow or stop a vehicle
A2branchn · a part of a tree that grows out
B1branchv · a local office of a larger organization
A2brandn · a product’s name from a company
B1brand-newadj · completely new and unused
C2brandishv · to wave something in a threatening way
B1brassn · a yellow metal
A2braveadj · not afraid of danger
B1bravelyadv · in a way that shows courage
B2braveryn · courage in dangerous situations
A1breadn · a food made from flour and baked
C2breadwinnern · the person who earns the family’s money
A1breakv · to damage something into pieces
A2breakn · a short rest from work
B2breakableadj · easily broken
B2breakdownn · a failure of a machine to work
A1breakfastn · the first meal of the day
B1breakthroughn · an important new discovery
B2breakupn · the end of a relationship
B1breastn · the front part of the chest
B1breathn · the air you take in and out
A1breathev · to take air in and out
B1breathlessadj · having difficulty breathing
B2breathtakingadj · so beautiful that it surprises you
B1breedv · to keep animals to produce young
B2breedn · a particular type of animal
B1breedingn · keeping animals to produce young
A2breezen · a light, gentle wind
B2breezyadj · with a light wind
C2brevityn · the quality of being short
B2breweryn · a factory where beer is made
C1briben/v · money given secretly to get an unfair favour
C1briberyn · the crime of giving or taking bribes
B1brickn · a block used for building walls
A2briden · a woman who is getting married
A1bridgen · a structure to cross a river
B1briefadj · short
C1briefv · to give someone information or instructions
C2briefn · a legal summary of a case
B1brieflyadv · in a few words
A1brightadj · full of light
B1brightlyadv · in a strong and clear way
A2brilliantadj · very clever or very good
B2brilliantlyadv · in a very clever or excellent way
C2brimv · to be completely full
C2brimstonen · an old word for sulphur
A1bringv · to carry something to a place
C2brinkn · the edge of a dangerous or new situation
B1broadadj · wide
B2broadbandn · fast internet connection
B1broadcastn · a programme on TV or radio
B2broadcastv · to send out a radio or TV program
B2broadcastern · a person or company that sends out TV or radio programmes
B2broadenv · to make wider
B2broadlyadv · in a general way
B1broccolin · a green vegetable with small tree-like parts
B2brochuren · a small booklet with information
A1brokenadj · damaged and not working
B1bronzen · a brown metal
C2broodn/v · to think anxiously for a long time
A1brothern · a boy with the same parents
B2brother-in-lawn · the brother of your husband or wife
B1brotherhoodn · a close group like brothers
C2brouhahan · a noisy fuss or public excitement
A1brownadj · the colour of chocolate
A2brownn · the colour of chocolate or wood
B2browsev · to look at information online without a plan
B2browsern · a program used to look at websites
B2bruisen · a dark mark on the skin after a knock
A1brushn/v · to clean with a brush
B1bubblen · a thin ball of air in liquid
C1bubblyadj · lively, cheerful and full of energy
C2buccaneern/v · a pirate who attacks ships at sea
A1bucketn · a round open container with a handle
B2budn · a young flower or leaf not yet open
B1buddyn · a close friend
A2budgetn · the amount of money you can spend
B2budgetadj · cheap and low in price
C1buffern/v · temporary computer memory that holds data
C1buffoonn · a silly person who makes others laugh
C2buffooneryn · silly behaviour meant to make people laugh
A2bugn · a very small insect
A1buildv · to make something by joining parts
B1buildern · a person who builds houses
A1buildingn · a structure with walls and a roof
A2bulbn · the glass part of a lamp
B2bulimian · an illness in which people overeat and then make themselves sick
C1bulkn · a large amount or quantity
C1bulk upv · to become bigger and stronger in the body
C1bulkyadj · large and awkward to carry
B1bulln · an adult male cow
B1bulletn · a small metal object shot from a gun
B1bulletinn · a short official news report
B2bullyv · to frighten or hurt weaker people
B2bumn · a lazy person or a person with no home
B1bumpv · to hit something by accident
B2bumpern · a bar at the front or back of a car
B2bunn · a small round piece of bread
B1bunchn · a group of things held together
B1burdenn · something heavy or hard to carry
B2burdenv · to give someone a heavy load of problems
B2burdensomeadj · heavy or difficult to carry
B1bureaun · an office that gives information
B2bureaucracyn · complicated official rules and paperwork
C1bureaucraticadj · related to complicated official rules and paperwork
C1bureaucraticallyadv · following official rules too strictly
C2burgeoningadj · growing quickly
A1burgern · a round meat sandwich
B1burglarn · a person who enters buildings to steal
B2burglaryn · the crime of breaking into a building to steal
B2burglev · to enter a building illegally to steal
B2burialn · putting a dead body in the ground
A2burnn · an injury from fire or heat
B1burnv · to hurt with heat or fire
B1burningadj · on fire
B1burstv · to break open suddenly
C1burstn · a short, sudden amount of something
A2buryv · to put something under the ground
A1busn · a big vehicle for many people
A2bus stationn · a place where buses start and end
A2bus stopn · a place where buses stop
A2bushn · a low plant with many branches
A1businessn · a company that sells things
A2businessmann · a man who works in business
A2businesswomann · a woman who works in business
B1bustv · to break something informally
B2bustlev · to move around busily
B2bustlingadj · full of busy activity
A1busyadj · having a lot to do
A1butconj · used to show a different idea
B1butprep · except; apart from
B1butchern · a person who sells meat
B2butcherv · to cut an animal into pieces of meat
A1buttern · a soft yellow food from milk
A1butterflyn · an insect with colourful wings
A1buttonn · a small round part you press
A1buyv · to get something by paying money
B1buyern · a person who buys something
B2buzzn/v · a low humming sound
C2buzzardn · a large bird of prey
C1buzzern · a device that makes a loud buzzing sound
A1byprep · made or done by someone
A1byen · a way to say goodbye
C1bypassv · a road that goes around a town