Alphabetic B

verb

See noun

1 of 193

Good / Smart

Url audio

brainstorm - To think of ideas quickly and freely, often in a group.

Let’s brainstorm to think of some marketing ideas for our new product.

verb

See noun

2 of 193

Good / Energy

audio

boost - Help or encourage (something) to increase or improve

Pete bought ten lottery tickets instead of one because he figured that would boost his chances of winning.

noun

3 of 193

Other /

Url audio

busybody - A person who is too interested in things that do not involve them

The teenager felt like his mother was just being a busybody when she asked him where he was going when he met with friends.

verb

4 of 193

Bad / Angry

audio

besmirch - To cause harm or damage to the reputation of someone or something

The police apologized after arresting Sally by mistake for shoplifting, but she felt that the rumors it caused left her reputation besmirched.

noun

5 of 193

Bad / Hostile

audio

barb - A remark that is funny but unkind.

Burt realized that Sam was not really his friend when Sam made several barbed comments directed at Burt at the dinner party.

noun

6 of 193

Bad / Stupid

Url audio

bum - A lazy or worthless person; a freeloader.

Every time we went shopping downtown, we always ran ino the same bum who asked us for some money.

verb

7 of 193

Other / Body

audio

bloat - To become swollen with fluid or gas.

After eating the large plate of baked beans, Fred felt like his stomach was so bloated that he might float away like a balloon.

noun

8 of 193

Bad / Weak

Url audio

breakdown - A mechanical failure, especially of a vehicle or machine. Can also be used in medical contexts.

She had an emotional breakdown after losing her job and going through a divorce.

noun

9 of 193

Other / Shape

audio

blur - When something is out of focus, indistinct, or obscured in a smudge or mist.

The rain on the windscreen reduced the oncoming traffic to a blur that made it hard for Beth to drive, even with her glasses.

noun

10 of 193

Good / Successful

Url audio

breakthrough - A sudden, important discovery or development.

He had a creative breakthrough that helped finish the novel.

adjective

11 of 193

Other / Body

Url audio

brawny - Physically strong; muscular

After working out for months, Zac seemed to become brawny overnight.

verb

12 of 193

Other / Sound

Url audio

babble - To talk rapidly and continuously in a foolish, excited, or incomprehensible way.

Monica worked at home, and sometimes her 1 year old Charlie sat in her lap, and he babbled away about all sorts of things that she didn’t understand.