Words starting with B — 1,390 entries

The 1,390 dictionary words that begin with the letter B, in alphabetical order, each with its first definition. Accents do not affect filing: an accented initial is shelved under its base letter.

• b7 sensesThe second letter of the English alphabet, called bee and written in the Latin script.
• B16 sensesThe second letter of the English alphabet, called bee and written in the Latin script.
• ba5 sensesA being's soul or personality, represented as a bird-headed figure, which survives after death but must be sustained with offerings of food.
• Ba1 senseA province of Fiji. Capital: Lautoka.
• baa4 sensesThe characteristic cry or bleating of a sheep or (broader) a sheep or goat.
• Baa1 senseAn administrative atoll of the Maldives, officially named Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi.
• baba7 sensesA kind of sponge cake soaked in rum-flavoured syrup.
• Baba2 sensesA male Peranakan.
• babbling5 sensesa stage in child language acquisition, during which an infant appears to be experimenting with uttering sounds of language, but not yet producing any…
• babe3 sensesA baby or infant; a very young human or animal.
• Babe1 senseA male given name or nickname
• baboon3 sensesAn Old World monkey of the genus Papio, having dog-like muzzles and large canine teeth, cheek pouches, a short tail, and naked callosities on the…
• Babs1 senseA diminutive of the female given name Barbara.
• babu3 sensesA Hindu title of respect, equivalent to Mr., usually appended to the surname of a Hindu man.
• Babu1 senseA surname.
• baby19 sensesA very young human, particularly from birth to a couple of years old or until walking is fully mastered.
• Baby1 senseA surname.
• babylon1 senseA female breast.
• Babylon8 sensesA governate in Iraq.
• babysit3 sensesTo watch or tend someone else's child for a period of time, often for money.
• babysitter2 sensesA person who cares for one or more babies or children for a short period of time in place of their legal guardians.
• babysitting1 senseThe work of a babysitter; the care of children in the temporary absence of their parents or guardians.
• bach4 sensesA small hut, especially for a man living alone.
• Bach3 sensesA surname from German.
• BACH1 senseA motif consisting of the notes B flat, A, C, B natural.
• bachelor8 sensesA person, especially a man, who is socially regarded as able to marry, but has not yet.
• bachelorette2 sensesAn unmarried woman.
• back58 sensesAt or near the rear.
• Back2 sensesA surname.
• backbone3 sensesThe series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.
• backed3 sensesHaving specified type of back.
• background12 sensesLess important or less noticeable in a scene or system.
• backing7 sensesSupport, especially financial.
• backpack5 sensesA knapsack, sometimes mounted on a light frame, but always supported by straps, worn on a person’s back for the purpose of carrying things,…
• backs1 senseThe backyard of the University.
• backseat1 senseTo act in the manner of a back-seat driver or a back-seat gamer.
• backside7 sensesThe back side of anything, the part opposite its front, particularly
• backstage6 sensesRelating to, or situated in the area behind a stage.
• backup10 sensesA reserve or substitute.
• backward27 sensesIndicating position or direction. Situated toward or at the rear of something.
• backwards2 sensesSynonym of backward; see usage notes there.
• backyard3 sensesA yard to the rear of a house or similar residence.
• bacon7 sensesCured meat from the sides, belly, or back of a pig.
• Bacon6 sensesA surname.
• bacteria3 sensesA type, species, or strain of bacterium.
• bad34 sensesOf low quality.
• badass4 sensesA belligerent or mean person; a person with an unpleasantly extreme appearance, attitudes, or behavior.
• badge13 sensesA distinctive mark, token, sign, emblem or cognizance, worn on one’s clothing, as an insignia of some rank, or of the membership of an organization.
• badger7 sensesAny member of species of the genera Meles, Arctonyx, Mellivora or Taxidea, of mammals.
• Badger5 sensesA native or resident of the American state of Wisconsin.
• badly3 sensesIn a bad manner.
• bae3 sensesDarling (term of endearment).
• Bae1 senseA surname from Korean.
• BAE1 senseThe ship prefix for ships of the navy of Ecuador.
• Baek1 senseA surname from Korean.
• baffled2 sensesThoroughly confused, puzzled
• bag37 sensesA soft container made out of cloth, paper, thin plastic, etc. and open at the top, used to hold food, commodities, and other goods.
• bagel5 sensesA toroidal bread roll that is boiled before it is baked.
• baggage4 sensesPortable cases, large bags, and similar equipment for manually carrying, pushing, or pulling personal items while traveling
• bagged2 sensesHaving been placed in a bag.
• Baghdad3 sensesThe capital city of Iraq.
• bags6 sensesA large quantity.
• bah1 senseExpressing contempt, disgust, or bad temper.
• Bah1 senseA surname.
• Bahamas1 senseAn archipelago and country in the Caribbean. Official name: Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
• baht4 sensesThe official currency of Thailand, equal to 100 satang.
• bai2 sensesA marshy meadow in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Bai4 sensesAn ethnic group of China.
• bail25 sensesSecurity, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial.
• Bail1 senseA surname.
• bailey4 sensesThe outer wall of a feudal castle.
• Bailey15 sensesA surname.
• bailiff19 sensesAn officer of the court A high bailiff: an officer of the county courts responsible for executing warrants and court orders, appointed by the judge…
• Bailiff1 senseA surname originating as an occupation.
• bailing1 senseThe act by which something is bailed.
• Baines1 senseA surname.
• bait23 sensesAny substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net.
• bake16 sensesTo cook using an oven, especially baked goods. To cook (something) in an oven (for someone).
• baked5 sensesThat has been cooked by baking.
• baker3 sensesA person who bakes and sells bread, cakes and similar items.
• Baker18 sensesradiotelephony clear-code word for the letter B.
• bakery4 sensesA place in which bread (and often other baked goods such as cakes) is baked and/or sold.
• baking5 sensesThat bakes.
• balance24 sensesA state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.
• Balance1 senseThe constellation and zodiacal sign Libra.
• balanced1 senseContaining elements in appropriate proportion; proportionately weighted on all dimensions and therefore unlikely to tip over.
• balcony2 sensesAn accessible structure extending from a building, especially outside a window.
• bald12 sensesHaving little or no hair, fur, or feathers.
• Bald1 senseA surname.
• Baldwin23 sensesA male given name from the Germanic languages; rather rare in English.
• baldy2 sensesSomeone who is bald.
• bale13 sensesEvil, especially considered as an active force for destruction or death.
• Bale2 sensesA surname.
• Bali6 sensesA province of Indonesia, primarily made up of the island of Bali.
• ball42 sensesA solid or hollow sphere, or roughly spherical mass.
• Ball3 sensesAn English surname.
• ballad4 sensesA kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or singing; especially, a sentimental or romantic poem in short stanzas.
• Ballard9 sensesAn English surname.
• ballerina3 sensesA ballet dancer (unisex term) A female ballet dancer.
• ballet7 sensesA classical form of dance.
• ballistic3 sensesOf or relating to ballistics.
• ballistics1 senseThe science of objects that predominantly fly under the effects of gravity, momentum and atmospheric drag, and dealing with details of their…
• balloon20 sensesAn inflatable buoyant object, often (but not necessarily) round and flexible.
• ballot7 sensesA small ball placed in a container to cast a vote; now, by extension, a piece of paper or card used for this purpose, or some other means used to…
• ballpark4 sensesA field, stadium or park where ball, especially baseball, is played.
• ballroom3 sensesA large room used for dancing and banquets.
• balls7 sensesThe testicles.
• Balls1 senseA surname.
• baloney2 sensesA type of sausage; bologna.
• Baloney1 senseA surname.
• Baltimore8 sensesAn independent city in central Maryland, United States.
• bam6 sensesRepresenting a loud noise or heavy impact.
• Bam2 sensesThe capital city of Bam County, Kerman Province, Iran.
• Bambi4 sensesA female given name.
• bamboo9 sensesAny of the fast-growing grasses of the Bambusoideae subfamily, characterized by its woody, hollow, round, straight, jointed stem.
• ban14 sensesTo prohibit; to interdict; to proscribe; to forbid or block from participation.
• Ban1 senseA surname.
• banana12 sensesAn elongated curved tropical fruit of a banana plant, which grows in bunches and has a creamy flesh and a smooth skin.
• Banana2 sensesA surname.
• BANANA1 senseOne who objects to the building of any structure in their neighbourhood or a certain type of structure anywhere, especially in public policy debate.
• bananas1 senseCrazy, mad, nuts.
• band26 sensesA strip of material used for strengthening or coupling. A strip of material wrapped around things to hold them together.
• Band1 senseA surname from German.
• band-aid4 sensesAn adhesive bandage, a small piece of fabric or plastic that may be stuck to the skin in order to temporarily cover a small wound.
• bandage4 sensesA strip of gauze or similar material used to protect or support a wound or injury.
• bandit7 sensesOne who robs others in a lawless area, especially as part of a group.
• bane10 sensesA cause of misery or ruin.
• Bane1 senseA surname.
• bang31 sensesA sudden percussive noise.
• Bangalore2 sensesSynonym of Bengaluru: a megacity, the state capital of Karnataka, India.
• banged1 senseHaving the hair styled in bangs.
• banging5 sensesThe action or sound of something that bangs.
• bangkok1 senseA kind of straw hat.
• Bangkok2 sensesThe capital city of Thailand.
• bangs3 sensesHair hanging over the forehead.
• Bangs1 senseA surname.
• banish2 sensesTo send (someone) away and forbid them from returning.
• banished1 senseHaving been subject to banishment; kicked out and forbidden from returning; forbidden and prohibited.
• banjo10 sensesA stringed musical instrument (chordophone), usually with a round body, a membrane-like soundboard and a fretted neck, played by plucking or…
• bank42 sensesAn institution where one can place and borrow money and take care of financial affairs.
• Bank3 sensesA village in the New Forest in Hampshire, England.
• banker12 sensesOne who conducts the business of banking; one who, individually, or as a member of a company, keeps an establishment for the deposit or loan of…
• Banker3 sensesA native or resident of the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
• banking6 sensesThe business of managing a bank.
• bankrupt6 sensesIn a condition of bankruptcy; unable to pay outstanding debts or meet financial obligations; specifically, having been legally declared insolvent.
• bankruptcy2 sensesA legally declared or recognized condition of insolvency of a person or organization.
• Banks13 sensesAn English toponymic surname for someone who lives near a hill or bank of land.
• banned1 senseForbidden; not allowed.
• banner14 sensesA flag or standard used by a military commander, monarch or nation.
• Banner1 senseA surname originating as an occupation for a standard-bearer.
• banquet6 sensesA large celebratory meal; a feast.
• banter9 sensesSharp, good-humoured, playful, typically spontaneous conversation.
• bao3 sensesAny of various types of steamed bread or bun used in Chinese cuisine
• Bao1 senseA surname.
• baptism3 sensesA Christian sacrament, by which one is received into a church and sometimes given a name, generally involving the candidate to be anointed with or…
• Baptism1 senseThe Baptist faith; the Baptist denominations of Christianity.
• baptist1 senseA person who baptizes.
• Baptist2 sensesAn adherent of a Protestant denomination (or various subdenominations) of Christianity, which believes in the baptism of believers (sometimes only…
• baptized1 senseOf a person, who has been subjected to the rite of baptism.
• bar48 sensesA solid, more or less rigid object of metal or wood with a uniform cross-section smaller than its length.
• Bar5 sensesA town and municipality of Montenegro.
• barack1 senseHungarian apricot brandy.
• Barack2 sensesA male given name from Arabic.
• barb21 sensesThe point that stands backward in an arrow, fishhook, etc., to prevent it from being easily extracted. Hence: Anything which stands out with a sharp…
• Barb3 sensesA diminutive of the female given name Barbara.
• Barbara2 sensesA female given name from Latin.
• barbarian8 sensesRelating to people, countries, or customs perceived as uncivilized or inferior.
• barbaric1 senseof or relating to a barbarian; uncivilized, uncultured or uncouth
• barbecue9 sensesA fireplace or pit for grilling food, typically used outdoors and traditionally employing hot charcoal as the heating medium.
• barbed6 sensesHaving barbs.
• barber5 sensesA person whose profession is cutting the hair and beards of usually male customers.
• Barber6 sensesA surname originating as an occupation for a barber.
• barbershop3 sensesThe place of business of a barber; a store where a person (usually a male) can go to get a haircut.
• barbie3 sensesA barbecue (apparatus for grilling).
• Barbie3 sensesA diminutive of the female given name Barbara.
• Barcelona10 sensesThe capital city of Catalonia, Spain.
• Barclay6 sensesA surname.
• bare18 sensesMinimal; that is or are just sufficient.
• Bare2 sensesA surname.
• barefoot5 sensesWearing nothing on the feet.
• Barefoot2 sensesA surname transferred from the nickname.
• barely5 sensesBy a small margin.
• barf4 sensesVomit.
• bargain7 sensesAn agreement between parties concerning the sale of property; or a contract by which one party binds themself to transfer the right to some property…
• bargaining1 senseThe act of one who bargains.
• barge9 sensesA large flat-bottomed towed or self-propelled boat used mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods or bulk cargo.
• Barge1 senseA surname.
• bark22 sensesTo make a short, loud, explosive noise with the vocal organs (said of animals, especially dogs).
• Bark1 senseA surname.
• barker9 sensesSomeone or something who barks.
• Barker6 sensesAn English surname originating as an occupation.
• barking1 senseThe action of the verb to bark.
• Barking2 sensesA town in the borough of Barking and Dagenham, in eastern Greater London, England (OS grid ref TQ4484).
• Barkley4 sensesA surname.
• Barks1 senseA surname.
• barley2 sensesA cereal of the species Hordeum vulgare or its grains, often used as food or to make beer and other malted drinks.
• Barley3 sensesA village in Hertfordshire, England.
• barlow1 sensea type of pocket-knife
• Barlow11 sensesThe name of villages in north-eastern England: A village and civil parish in North East Derbyshire district, Derbyshire (OS grid ref SK3474).
• barn6 sensesA building, often found on a farm, used for storage or keeping animals such as cattle.