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.

• Belinda2 sensesA female given name originating as a coinage.
• bell21 sensesA percussive instrument made of metal or other hard material, typically but not always in the shape of an inverted cup with a flared rim, which…
• Bell16 sensesA surname of Scottish and northern English origin for a bell ringer, bellmaker, or from someone who lived "at the Bell (inn)."
• Bella1 senseA female given name from Italian.
• Bellamy5 sensesA surname from Anglo-Norman.
• belle2 sensesAn attractive woman.
• Belle3 sensesA female given name from French.
• bellows8 sensesA device for delivering pressurized air in a controlled quantity to a controlled location. At its most simple terms a bellows is a container which is…
• Bellows1 senseA surname.
• bells1 senseShip's bells; the strokes on a ship's bell, every half-hour, to mark the passage of time.
• Bells2 sensesA city in Tennessee.
• belly10 sensesThe abdomen (especially a fat one).
• belong10 sensesTo have its proper place.
• belonging3 sensesThe feeling that one belongs.
• beloved2 sensesMuch loved, dearly loved.
• below11 sensesLower in spatial position than.
• Below1 senseA surname.
• belt24 sensesA band worn around the waist to hold clothing to one's body (usually pants), hold weapons (such as a gun or sword), or serve as a decorative piece of…
• Belt2 sensesA surname.
• ben11 sensesIn, into.
• Ben4 sensesA shortening of the male given name Benjamin or, less often, of Benedict.
• bench23 sensesA long seat with or without a back, found for example in parks and schools.
• Bench3 sensesA language spoken in Ethiopia
• bend25 sensesTo cause (something) to change its shape into a curve, by physical force, chemical action, or any other means.
• Bend7 sensesA ghost town and former railway community in central British Columbia, Canada. Named after a 90-degree curve in the railway line.
• bender11 sensesOne who, or that which, bends.
• Bender2 sensesA surname.
• bending3 sensesA motion or action that bends.
• Bending1 senseA surname.
• bends2 sensesThe thickest and strongest planks in a wooden ship's side, wales.
• beneath4 sensesBelow or underneath.
• benedict4 sensesTo poach and serve on an English muffin with ham or bacon and hollandaise sauce.
• Benedict6 sensesA male given name from Latin, particularly of the sixth-century founder of the Benedictine order, and of several popes.
• benefactor2 sensesSomebody who gives a gift, often money to a charity.
• beneficial4 sensesHelpful or good to something or someone.
• beneficiary5 sensesOne who benefits or receives an advantage.
• benefit7 sensesAn advantage; help or aid from something.
• benefits1 sensepublic assistance; welfare.
• benevolent3 sensesHaving a disposition to do good.
• benign4 sensesKind; gentle; mild.
• Benito5 sensesA male given name from Spanish and Italian, equivalent to English Benedict.
• benjamin3 sensesA balsamic resin from the bark of Styrax trees used in perfumes, incense, and medicine; benzoin resin.
• Benjamin5 sensesThe youngest of the sons of Jacob and Rachel in the Bible.
• Benji1 senseA diminutive of the male given name Benjamin.
• bennet3 sensesWood avens or herb bennet, a common yellow-flowered plant of Europe (Geum urbanum).
• Bennet3 sensesA surname transferred from the given name, a less common spelling of Bennett.
• Bennett12 sensesAn English surname originating as a patronymic from a medieval form of Benedict.
• benny6 sensesAn amphetamine tablet.
• Benny10 sensesA nickname for a man named Benjamin.
• Benson19 sensesAn English habitational surname from Old English from a place in Oxfordshire.
• bent21 sensesFolded or dented out of its usual shape.
• Bent1 senseA surname
• Bentley18 sensesAn English habitational surname from Old English.
• Benton25 sensesA small village in Bratton Fleming parish, North Devon district, Devon, England (OS grid ref SS6536).
• berg2 sensesAn iceberg.
• Berg4 sensesA place name, notably of: A former duchy and later grand duchy in North Rhine-Westphalia (Western Germany).
• Berger1 senseA surname.
• Bergman2 sensesA surname.
• Berkeley15 sensesA habitational surname from Old English.
• berlin1 senseA four-wheeled carriage with a separate sheltered seat behind the body.
• Berlin36 sensesThe capital and largest city of Germany.
• Bermuda2 sensesAn archipelago and overseas territory of the United Kingdom in the North Atlantic Ocean, 580 nautical miles (1074 kilometers) east-southeast of Cape…
• Bernadette1 senseA female given name from French.
• bernard1 senseShortened form of Saint Bernard (the dog).
• Bernard2 sensesA male given name from the Germanic languages.
• Bernice1 senseA female given name from Ancient Greek.
• Bernie3 sensesA unisex given name. A diminutive of the male given name Bernard, also used as a formal given name.
• Bernstein2 sensesA surname from German or Yiddish.
• berry13 sensesA small succulent fruit, of any one of many varieties.
• Berry9 sensesA surname from Middle English.
• berserk6 sensesFuriously, injuriously, or maniacally violent or out of control.
• Bert1 senseA diminutive form of male given names containing the element bert, such as Albert or Robert, also used as a formal given name.
• Berta4 sensesA female given name, variant of Bertha.
• bertha1 senseA lace collar that covers the shoulders of a dress
• Bertha1 senseA female given name from the Germanic languages.
• Bertie2 sensesA diminutive of Bertram, Albert or of any male given names ending in -bert.
• bertram1 senseA flowering plant of species Anacyclus pyrethrum.
• Bertram2 sensesA male given name from the Germanic languages.
• Bertrand2 sensesA male given name.
• beseech3 sensesTo beg or implore something of (a person).
• beside4 sensesNext to; at the side of.
• besides7 sensesIn addition to.
• Bess2 sensesA diminutive of the female given name Elizabeth.
• Bessie3 sensesA diminutive of the female given name Elizabeth, also used as a formal female given name.
• best9 sensesMost; largest.
• Best2 sensesA surname.
• bestow9 sensesTo apply or make use of (someone or something); to employ, to use.
• bet10 sensesA wager, an agreement between two parties that a stake (usually money) will be paid by the loser to the winner (the winner being the one who…
• Bet1 senseA diminutive of the female name Elizabeth.
• BET1 senseAn adsorption technique used to measure the specific surface area of a solid, typically using nitrogen gas at a temperature of 77 K.
• beta18 sensesThe second letter of the Greek alphabet (Β, β), preceded by alpha (Α, α) and followed by gamma, (Γ, γ). In modern Greek it represents the voiced…
• Beta1 senseA member of Generation Beta.
• betcha1 senseCan be sure of it.
• Betcha1 senseA female given name.
• beth4 sensesThe second letter of the Phoenician alphabet, 𐤁
• Beth1 senseA diminutive of the female given names Elizabeth or Bethany.
• Bethany6 sensesThe village where Jesus stayed before going to Jerusalem and being crucified.
• Bethlehem27 sensesA city in the West Bank, Palestine, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus.
• betray7 sensesTo deliver into the hands of an enemy by treachery or fraud, in violation of trust; to give up treacherously or faithlessly.
• betrayal1 senseThe act of betraying.
• betrayed1 senseSuffering from betrayal
• betraying2 sensesThat betrays
• betrothed2 sensesEngaged to be married.
• Bets1 senseA diminutive of Elizabeth.
• Betsy1 senseA diminutive of the female given name Elizabeth.
• better9 sensesGreater in amount or quantity
• betting2 sensesDescribing one who bets or gambles.
• betty8 sensesA short bar used by thieves to wrench doors open; a jimmy.
• Betty2 sensesA diminutive of the female given name Elizabeth.
• between8 sensesIn the position or interval that separates (two things), or intermediate in quantity or degree. (See Usage notes below.)
• Bev1 senseA diminutive of the female given names Beverly and Beverley.
• beverage2 sensesA liquid to consume; a drink, such as tea, coffee, liquor, beer, milk, juice, or a soft drink, often excluding water.
• Beverage1 senseA surname.
• Beverly14 sensesA surname.
• beware1 senseTo use caution, pay attention to (used both with and without of).
• bewitched2 sensesUnder a spell; subject to an act of witchcraft.
• bey2 sensesIn various other places, a prince or nobleman.
• Bey2 sensesA surname.
• beyond13 sensesFurther away than.
• bhai2 sensesfriend, dude, man
• bi2 sensesA biceps muscle.
• Bianca3 sensesA female given name from Italian.
• bias13 sensesInclination towards something.
• Bias2 sensesA surname.
• biased5 sensesExhibiting bias; prejudiced.
• bible6 sensesA comprehensive manual that describes something, or a publication with a loyal readership; a foundational text.
• Bible6 sensesEither of two major versions of the main religious text in the Judeo-Christian group of traditions. The main religious text in Christianity.
• biblical3 sensesOf or relating to the Bible.
• bickering2 sensesThat bickers; argumentative.
• bicycle12 sensesA vehicle that has two primary wheels, one behind the other, a steering handle, and a saddle seat or seats and is usually propelled by the action of…
• bid14 sensesTo issue a command; to tell.
• BID1 sensetwice a day, two times per day
• bidder4 sensesSomeone who bids (all senses), but most commonly, one offers to pay a specified price at an auction.
• Bidder1 senseA surname.
• bidding2 sensesThat which one is bidden to do; a command.
• Bieber2 sensesA surname from German.
• Bien1 senseA surname.
• biff8 sensesA sudden, sharp blow or punch.
• big31 sensesOf great size, large.
• BIG1 senseA biological insulation garment; an air-tight, full-body suit intended to prevent the spread of contaminants.
• big-ass1 senseVery large; especially, very large and also expansive, fat, impressive, muscular, intimidating, or important.
• big-time1 senseTo act superior to (someone), for example by talking down to them or ignoring them.
• bigfoot3 sensesTo control or manage forcefully; to exercise authority over.
• Bigfoot2 sensesA very large, hairy, humanoid creature, similar to the yeti, said to live in the wilderness areas of the United States and Canada, especially the…
• bigger1 senseTo make or become bigger.
• Bigger2 sensesA surname.
• biggest1 senseSomething that is bigger than all others in its class.
• Biggs3 sensesA surname.
• bike6 sensesAny vehicle sharing some characteristics with a bicycle or motorbike, such as pedal power, a handlebar, or a saddle.
• biker2 sensesA person whose lifestyle is centered on motorcycles, sometimes a member of a motorcycle club.
• bikini3 sensesA brief, often minimalistic two-piece bathing suit worn by women, especially one that exposes the midriff and navel.
• Bikini1 senseBikini atoll.
• bill28 sensesA written list or inventory. (Now obsolete except in specific senses or set phrases; bill of lading, bill of goods, etc.)
• Bill4 sensesA diminutive of the male given name William.
• billboard6 sensesA very large outdoor sign, generally used for advertising.
• Billboard1 senseThe music charts published by Billboard magazine.
• Billie2 sensesA male or female given name from the Germanic languages derived from Bill, the diminutive of William.
• billing4 sensesAmounts billed.
• Billing2 sensesA surname.
• Billings6 sensesA surname.
• billion3 sensesEither of two large amounts: a thousand million (logic: 1,000 × 1,000²): 1 followed by nine zeros, 10⁹.
• billionaire1 senseSomebody whose wealth is at least one billion (10⁹) currency units (usually understood to exclude holders of hyperinflated currencies).
• Billions1 senseA surname.
• Bills1 senseA surname.
• billy9 sensesA fellow, companion, comrade, mate; partner, brother.
• Billy2 sensesA diminutive of the male given name William.
• bimbo2 sensesA physically attractive person, typically a woman or otherwise feminine in appearance, who lacks intelligence.
• Bimbo1 senseA city in the Central African Republic.
• bin11 sensesA box, frame, crib, or enclosed place, used as a storage container.
• Bin1 senseA surname from Chinese.
• bind26 sensesTo tie; to confine by any ligature.
• binding8 sensesImposing stipulations or requirements that must be honoured.
• bing11 sensesSolitary confinement.
• Bing5 sensesA surname from Old English of Old English origin and unknown meaning.
• bingo14 sensesA game of chance for two or more players, who mark off numbers on a grid as they are announced by the caller; the game is won by the first person to…
• Bingo1 senseA male given name.
• binoculars1 senseA hand-held device consisting of a series of lenses and prisms, used to magnify objects so that they can be better seen from a distance, and looked…
• bins2 sensesBinoculars.
• bio3 sensesA short section of a user profile that contains information about the user, especially one which can be customised; the about me section.
• biography3 sensesA person's life story, especially one published.
• biological5 sensesOf or relating to biology.
• biologist1 senseA student or professor of biology; one versed in the science of biology.
• biology4 sensesThe study of all life or living matter.
• biopsy2 sensesThe removal and examination of a sample of tissue, cells, or bodily fluid from a living body for diagnostic purposes.
• bipolar6 sensesInvolving or having both extremes or poles at the same time.
• birch6 sensesAny of various trees of the genus Betula, native to countries in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Birch8 sensesA surname.
• bird21 sensesAn animal of the clade (traditionally class) Aves in the phylum Chordata, characterized by being warm-blooded, having feathers and wings usually…
• Bird2 sensesA surname.
• birdie9 sensesA bird; especially, a small and cute one.
• Birdie2 sensesA female given name from English.
• Birmingham19 sensesA major city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England, historically in Warwickshire with a population of over one million.
• birth8 sensesThe process of childbearing; the beginning of life; the emergence of a human baby or other viviparous animal offspring from the mother's body into…
• birthday5 sensesThe anniversary of the day on which someone is born.
• birthmark1 senseA mark on the skin formed before birth.
• birthplace2 sensesThe location where a person or an animal was born.
• biscuit15 sensesA small, flat, baked good which is either hard and crisp or else soft but firm; a cookie.
• bisexual12 sensesSexually attracted to both opposite-sex and same-sex individuals. (Compare pansexual.)
• bishop19 sensesAn overseer of congregations: either any such overseer, generally speaking, or (in Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Anglicanism, etc.) an official in…
• Bishop10 sensesAn English surname originating as an occupation.