Words that should be added to The Challenge (B)

Th@1Guy (United States of America)
These itemizations of words should be incorporated into The Challenge to further challenge its participants, and they conveniently encompass a wide assortment of words that range in difficulty.
A, B, C, D, E, F, G-H, I, J-L, M, N-O, P, Q-R, ..., Other
260 words 16 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. baby boomer
    a member of the baby boom generation in the 1950s
  2. bacchanal
    a wild gathering
  3. back burner
    reduced priority
  4. bacterium
    a single-celled or noncellular organism lacking chlorophyll
  5. badlands
    deeply eroded barren land
  6. bagatelle
    something of little value or significance
  7. bailey
    a defensive wall surrounding the outer courtyard of a castle
  8. bailiff
    officer of the court employed to execute writs and processes
  9. bailiwick
    one's particular area of interest or branch of knowledge
  10. baker's dozen
    thirteen of something
  11. balcony
    a platform projecting from the wall of a building
  12. balderdash
    trivial nonsense
  13. baldric
    a wide (ornamented) belt worn over the right shoulder to support a sword or bugle by the left hip
  14. bale
    a large bundle bound for storage or transport
  15. baleen
    a horny material from the upper jaws of certain whales
  16. ballista
    an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles
  17. ballistics
    the science of flight dynamics
  18. ballot
    a document listing the alternatives that is used in voting
  19. ballyhoo
    blatant or sensational promotion
  20. balustrade
    a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony
  21. bandit
    an outlaw who is (usually) a member of a group
  22. bandwagon
    a large ornate wagon for carrying a musical band
  23. bandwidth
    a data transmission rate
  24. banishment
    exclusion or rejection from a place or group
  25. bank
    financial institution that accepts deposits and lends money
  26. banshee
    a female spirit who wails to warn of impending death
  27. baptismal
    of or relating to baptism
  28. bar
    a rigid piece of metal or wood
  29. barbarity
    the quality of being cruel, inhumane, or uncivilized
  30. bare
    lacking its natural or customary covering
  31. barge
    a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads
  32. baritone
    the second lowest adult male singing voice
  33. barnacle
    marine crustacean with feathery food-catching appendages
  34. barnstorm
    appear at county fairs and carnivals as a stunt flier and parachute jumper
  35. baron
    a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank
  36. barred
    preventing entry or exit or a course of action
  37. basalt
    the commonest type of solidified lava
  38. baseness
    unworthiness by virtue of lacking higher values
  39. basically
    in essence; at bottom or by one's (or its) very nature
  40. basilica
    a Roman building used for public administration
  41. basilisk
    a serpent able to kill with its breath or glance
  42. bass
    the lowest part of the musical range
  43. bassinet
    a basket (usually hooded) used as a baby's bed
  44. bastard
    the illegitimate offspring of unmarried parents
  45. baste
    cover with liquid before cooking
  46. bastille
    a jail or prison
  47. batten
    a strip fixed to something to hold it firm
  48. battered
    damaged by blows or hard usage
  49. battlement
    a notched rampart around the top of a castle or city wall
  50. battle royal
    a noisy riotous fight
  51. bawl
    cry loudly
  52. beacon
    a fire that can be seen from a distance
  53. beadle
    a minor parish official who serves smaller church functions
  54. beaker
    a cup (usually without a handle)
  55. beam
    a long thick piece of material used in construction
  56. beaming
    radiating or as if radiating light
  57. beamish
    smiling with happiness or optimism
  58. bear
    be pregnant with
  59. bearer
    a messenger who presents
  60. bearish
    expecting prices to fall
  61. beat around the bush
    be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
  62. beatify
    make blessedly happy
  63. beauteous
    (poetic )beautiful, especially to the sight
  64. beautician
    someone who works in a beauty parlor
  65. beautify
    make more beautiful
  66. becalmed
    rendered motionless for lack of wind
  67. becoming
    displaying or setting off to best advantage
  68. bedazzle
    cause someone to lose clear vision, as from intense light
  69. bedeck
    decorate
  70. bedevil
    be confusing or perplexing to
  71. bedraggled
    limp, untidy, and soiled
  72. bedridden
    confined to bed (by illness)
  73. bedrock
    solid unweathered stone beneath surface deposits of soil
  74. beef
    meat from an adult domestic bovine
  75. beefy
    muscular and heavily built
  76. befall
    become of; happen to
  77. befit
    accord or comport with
  78. befitting
    appropriate to
  79. beforehand
    ahead of time; in anticipation
  80. behavioral
    of or relating to behavior
  81. behaviorism
    an approach to psychology that emphasizes observable measurable behavior
  82. behead
    cut the head of
  83. beheading
    killing by cutting off the head
  84. behest
    an authoritative command or request
  85. beholder
    a person who becomes aware through the senses
  86. being
    the state or fact of existing
  87. belay
    turn a rope around something in order to secure it
  88. bel esprit
    a witty or clever person with a fine mind
  89. belfry
    a tower in which bells are hung
  90. believe
    accept as true; take to be true
  91. bellhop
    someone employed to carry luggage and run errands in a hotel
  92. bellwether
    someone who assumes leadership of a movement or activity
  93. benthic
    of or relating to or happening on the bottom under a body of water
  94. berserker
    one of the ancient Norse warriors legendary for working themselves into a frenzy before a battle and fighting with reckless savagery and insane fury
  95. beryl
    the chief source of beryllium
  96. besot
    make someone dazed or foolish
  97. bestiality
    the stupid brutal quality of a beast
  98. bestiary
    a medieval book with descriptions of real and fabled animals
  99. bestir
    become active
  100. bestride
    get up on the back of
  101. beta
    the second letter of the Greek alphabet
  102. betake oneself
    displace oneself; go from one location to another
  103. bete noire
    a detested person or thing
  104. bethel
    a house of worship (especially one for sailors)
  105. bethink
    cause oneself to consider something
  106. betide
    become of; happen to
  107. betimes
    in good time
  108. betrothal
    the act of becoming engaged
  109. betterment
    the act of relieving ills and changing for the better
  110. betwixt
    in the interval
  111. bey
    (formerly) a title of respect for a man in Turkey or Egypt
  112. bezel
    a sloping edge on a cutting tool
  113. bidding
    an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
  114. bide
    dwell
  115. bifurcation
    a separation into two branches
  116. bigamist
    someone who marries one person while already legally married to another
  117. bigamy
    the offense of marrying someone while you have a spouse
  118. bight
    a bend or curve (especially in a coastline)
  119. bilaterally
    so as to involve two sides or parts
  120. bilge
    where the sides of the vessel curve in to form the bottom
  121. billet
    provide housing for (military personnel)
  122. binding
    executed with proper legal authority
  123. biologist
    a scientist who studies living organisms
  124. biomass
    the total amount of living matter in a given unit area
  125. biome
    major ecological community with distinct climate and flora
  126. bionic
    applying physiological principles to engineering systems
  127. biopsy
    the removal and examination of tissue from a living body
  128. biosphere
    the regions of the Earth where living organisms exist
  129. biped
    an animal that walks on two legs
  130. biscuit
    small round bread leavened with baking-powder or soda
  131. bishop
    a senior member of the Christian clergy
  132. bistro
    a small informal restaurant; serves wine
  133. bit
    a small piece or quantity of something
  134. biting
    causing a sharply painful or stinging sensation
  135. bituminous
    resembling or containing bitumen
  136. bivalve
    a sea creature with two connected hinged shells
  137. blabber
    speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
  138. blackball
    vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent
  139. blackguard
    someone who is morally reprehensible
  140. blandish
    praise somewhat dishonestly
  141. blank verse
    unrhymed poetry, usually in iambic pentameter
  142. blarney
    flattery designed to gain favor
  143. blaspheme
    speak of in an irreverent or impious manner
  144. bleach
    make whiter or lighter
  145. bleary
    tired to the point of exhaustion
  146. bless
    make the sign of the cross to call on God for protection
  147. blessed
    highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)
  148. blessing
    a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection
  149. blest
    highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)
  150. blind
    unable to see
  151. blinding
    shining intensely
  152. blindside
    attack someone whose view of the attack is obstructed
  153. blind spot
    the point where the optic nerve enters the retina
  154. blissfully
    in a blissful manner
  155. blister
    an elevation of the skin filled with fluid
  156. blistering
    extremely hot
  157. blistery
    covered with small blisters
  158. blithesome
    carefree and happy and lighthearted
  159. bloc
    a group united for a particular purpose
  160. bloodcurdling
    extremely alarming
  161. blotch
    an irregularly shaped spot
  162. bloviate
    speak verbosely and windily
  163. blowout
    an easy victory
  164. blowtorch
    a burner that mixes air and gas to produce a very hot flame
  165. blubber
    an insulating layer of fat under the skin of some animals
  166. blue blood
    a member of the aristocracy or upper class
  167. blue moon
    a long time
  168. blunderbuss
    a short musket of wide bore with a flared muzzle
  169. blustery
    blowing in violent and abrupt bursts
  170. boarding
    the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft
  171. boatswain
    a petty officer on a merchant ship
  172. bodacious
    not held back by conventional ideas of behavior
  173. bodega
    small shop selling groceries, especially in a Hispanic area
  174. bodkin
    a dagger with a slender blade
  175. boggle
    overcome with amazement
  176. bolero
    a Spanish dance in triple time accompanied by guitar
  177. bombilate
    make a buzzing sound
  178. bone of contention
    the subject of a dispute
  179. bonheur
    (French) happiness and good humor
  180. bonhomie
    a disposition to be friendly and approachable
  181. bon mot
    a witty or clever remark
  182. bon vivant
    a sociable person who enjoys fine food and luxury
  183. bookmark
    a marker (a piece of paper or ribbon) placed between the pages of a book to mark the reader's place
  184. boot
    footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
  185. bootleg
    whiskey illegally distilled from a corn mash
  186. bootlegger
    someone who makes or sells illegal goods
  187. bootlegging
    the act of selling illegally or without permission
  188. borax
    a white mineral used in cleaning, glassmaking, and cosmetics
  189. borderline
    a line that indicates a boundary
  190. boreal
    toward or located in the north
  191. bosom
    breast
  192. botanical
    of or relating to plants
  193. bottleneck
    the narrow part of a bottle near the top
  194. bottom line
    the last line in an audit
  195. botulism
    food poisoning from ingesting botulin
  196. boudoir
    a lady's bedroom or private sitting room
  197. bouffant
    a woman's hairstyle in which the hair gives a puffy appearance
  198. boundless
    seemingly limitless in amount, number, degree, or extent
  199. bounteous
    given or giving freely
  200. bourbon
    whiskey distilled from a mash of corn and malt and rye
  201. boutonniere
    a flower that is worn in a buttonhole
  202. bowel
    the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus
  203. bower
    a framework that supports climbing plants
  204. bowline
    a loop knot that neither slips nor jams
  205. braille
    raised writing that can be read by the visually impaired
  206. brainiac
    someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
  207. brainstorm
    try to solve a problem by thinking intensely about it
  208. brassy
    resembling or containing an alloy of zinc and copper
  209. bravery
    a willingness to face danger or pain without showing fear
  210. brazenly
    in a brazen manner
  211. brazier
    large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned
  212. bread and butter
    the financial means whereby one lives
  213. breadwinner
    one whose earnings are the primary source of support for their dependents
  214. break even
    attain a level at which there is neither gain nor loss, as in business, gambling, or a competitive sport
  215. breakthrough
    the act of making an important discovery
  216. breathe
    draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
  217. breed
    cause to procreate (animals)
  218. bribery
    the practice of offering something for an illegal advantage
  219. bric-a-brac
    small decorative objects
  220. briefly
    for a short time
  221. brigadier
    a general officer ranking below a major general
  222. brigand
    an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a band
  223. brighten
    make lighter or brighter
  224. brilliance
    the quality of being extremely bright or glittering
  225. brimstone
    an old name for sulfur
  226. brinkmanship
    act of pushing a dangerous situation to the edge of disaster
  227. broadband
    high-speed internet that transmits multiple signals at the same time
  228. broadly
    in a wide fashion
  229. broadside
    with a side facing an object
  230. broadsword
    a sword with a broad blade and two cutting edges
  231. brogue
    a thick and heavy shoe
  232. brownie
    (folklore) a small fairy-like creature that is somewhat mischievous
  233. brumal
    characteristic of or relating to winter
  234. brusqueness
    an abrupt discourteous manner
  235. brutality
    the trait of extreme cruelty
  236. brutish
    resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility
  237. bulbous
    rounded and bulging
  238. bulimia
    a disorder of eating in which the person alternates between strong craving for food and aversion to food; characterized by excessive eating followed by periods of fasting or self-induced vomiting
  239. bullheaded
    impossibly stubborn
  240. bumptious
    offensively self-assertive
  241. bunion
    a painful swelling of the bursa of the first joint of the big toe
  242. bunsen burner
    a gas burner used in laboratories
  243. bunting
    a seed-eating songbird of Europe or North America
  244. buoy
    an anchored float that marks locations in a body of water
  245. burble
    flow in an irregular current with a bubbling noise
  246. burgess
    a citizen of an English borough
  247. burgh
    a borough in Scotland
  248. burgle
    enter and rob a dwelling
  249. burlap
    coarse jute fabric
  250. bursar
    the treasurer at a college or university
  251. bushel
    a United States dry measure equal to 4 pecks or 2152.42 cubic inches
  252. bust
    a sculpture of the head and shoulders of a person
  253. busybody
    a person who meddles in the affairs of others
  254. butler
    a manservant who has charge of wines and the table
  255. butte
    a hill that rises abruptly from the surrounding region
  256. buzzard
    a vulture common in South America and the southern U.S.
  257. by and large
    usually; as a rule
  258. bygone
    well in the past; former
  259. bypass
    avoid something
  260. byre
    a barn for cows
Created on Tue Jan 08 01:18:40 EST 2013 (updated Tue Apr 29 01:52:55 EDT 2014)

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