bricks NOUN
A brick is a block used for building. It is made of baked clay.
bride brides NOUN
A bride is a woman on or near her wedding day.
bridge bridges NOUN
A bridge is something built over things like rivers, railways or roads, so that people or vehicles can get across.
brief briefer, briefest ADJECTIVE
Something that is brief lasts only a short time.
briefly ADVERB
briefcase briefcases NOUN
A briefcase is a flat case used for carrying papers.
bright brighter, brightest
ADJECTIVE 1 Bright colours are clear and easy to see.
ADJECTIVE 2 A light that is bright shines strongly.
ADJECTIVE 3 Someone who is bright is quick at learning or noticing things.
brilliant
ADJECTIVE 1 A brilliant colour or light is extremely bright.
ADJECTIVE 2 Someone who is brilliant is extremely clever or skilful.
brim brims
NOUN 1 If you fill a cup to the brim, you fill it right up to the top.
NOUN 2 The brim of a hat is the part that sticks outwards from the head.
bring brings, bringing, brought
VERB 1 If you bring someone on a visit, they come with you.
VERB 2 If you bring something, you have it with you when you arrive.
bristle bristles NOUN
The bristles of a brush are the thick hairs or thin pieces of plastic which are fixed to the main part of it.
brittle ADJECTIVE
If something is brittle, it is hard but easily broken.
broad broader, broadest ADJECTIVE
Something such as a road or river that is broad is very wide.
broadcast broadcasts NOUN
A broadcast is a programme or announcement on radio or television.
broke VERB
Broke is the past tense of break.
broken VERB
Broken is the past participle of break.
brooch brooches NOUN
A brooch is a small piece of jewellery which is worn pinned to a dress, blouse or coat.
broom brooms NOUN
A broom is a kind of brush with a long handle.
brother brothers NOUN
Someone’s brother is a boy or man who has the same parents as they have.
brought VERB
Brought is the past tense of bring.
brown browner, brownest ADJECTIVE
Something that is brown is the colour of earth or of wood.
See Colours and shapes on page 266
bruise bruises NOUN
A bruise is a purple mark on your skin where something has hit it.
brush brushes NOUN
A brush is a lot of bristles fixed to a handle. Different brushes are used for jobs like cleaning your teeth or painting.
bubble bubbles NOUN
A bubble is a ball of air or gas. You can make bubbles with soapy water. Fizzy lemonade has bubbles, too.
bucket buckets NOUN
A bucket is a container with a handle, often used for carrying water.
buckle buckles NOUN
A buckle is a fastening on the end of a belt or strap.
bud buds NOUN
A bud is a small lump on a plant which will open into a leaf or flower.
Buddhist Buddhists NOUN
A Buddhist is someone who follows the teachings of Buddha.
budgerigar budgerigars NOUN
Budgerigars are small brightly-coloured birds, often kept as pets.
buffalo buffaloes NOUN
A buffalo is an animal like a large cow with long curved horns.
bug bugs
NOUN 1 A bug is an insect.
NOUN 2 A bug is also an illness, such as a flu bug or a stomach bug.
build builds, building, built VERB
If you build something, you make it by joining things together.
builder builders NOUN
A builder is a person whose job is to build houses and other buildings.
building buildings NOUN
A building is a place like a house that has walls and a roof.
bulb bulbs
NOUN 1 A bulb is the glass part of a lamp that gives out light.
NOUN 2 A bulb is also a root shaped like an onion. Many spring flowers such as daffodils and tulips grow from bulbs.
bulge bulges, bulging, bulged VERB
If something bulges, it sticks out in a lump.
His pockets bulged with conkers.
bull bulls NOUN
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