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English Words Starting With B

10,030 entries — pick a word to see its definition, pronunciation, and usage.

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Noun Verb Adjective Adverb Plural noun Combining form Verb (transitive)Verb (intransitive)Verb (ambitransitive)

blood sport
nounLow to Mid-frequency
/ˈblʌd spɔːt/A sport or activity in which animals are killed, hunted, or made to fight, often for the entertainment or gambling pleasure of spectators.
blood substitute
nounC2
/ˈblʌd ˌsʌbstɪtjuːt/A synthetic fluid or solution designed to temporarily carry oxygen in the bloodstream when real blood is unavailable or insufficient.
blood sugar
nounB2
/ˈblʌd ˌʃʊɡ.ər/The concentration of glucose present in the bloodstream, which is the body's primary source of energy.
blood test
nounB1
/ˈblʌd ˌtest/A medical procedure where a sample of blood is taken from a person and analysed in a laboratory to assess health, detect disease, or measure levels of substances.
blood type
nounB2
/ˈblʌd ˌtaɪp/A classification of blood based on the presence or absence of inherited antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). The most common systems are ABO and Rh (Rhesus).
blood typing
nounC1/C2 (Technical/Medical)
/ˈblʌd ˌtaɪpɪŋ/The process of determining an individual's blood group or type (A, B, AB, O) and Rh factor (positive or negative) by testing a blood sample against specific antisera.
blood vessel
nounB2
/ˈblʌd ˌvɛsl/A tubular structure in the body through which blood flows, including arteries, veins, and capillaries.
blood volume
nounC1/C2
/ˈblʌd ˌvɒl.juːm/The total quantity of blood circulating within an individual's cardiovascular system.
blood work
nounB2
/ˈblʌd ˌwɜːk/A medical test or series of tests performed on a sample of blood to assess a person's health, diagnose conditions, or monitor treatment.
blood-brain barrier
nounLow (specialized term)
/ˌblʌd breɪn ˈbæriə/A highly selective semipermeable membrane that separates the circulating blood from the brain's extracellular fluid, protecting the central nervous system from potentially harmful substances.
blood-drop emlets
nounExtremely rare / Archaic poetic
/ˈblʌd drɒp ˈɛmləts/A colloquial or poetic name for a small woodland flower of the genus Lamium, commonly known as red dead-nettle or specifically Lamium maculatum 'Purple Dragon' and similar varieties, characterized by small, hooded, deep pink or crimson flowers.
blood-letting
nounLow
/ˈblʌd ˌlet.ɪŋ/The historical medical practice of deliberately draining blood from a patient, based on the belief it would treat or prevent illness.
blood-red
adjectivenounB2
/ˈblʌd red/A dark red colour resembling that of fresh blood.
bloodbath
nounC1
/ˈblʌd.bɑːθ/A massacre or slaughter involving the violent death of many people.
bloodcurdler
nounRare
/ˈblʌdˌkɜː.dlə(r)/A story, film, or experience that causes great fear or terror.
bloodfin
nounLow (Specialist/Niche)
/ˈblʌdfɪn/A small, silvery freshwater fish of the genus Aphyocharax, characterized by bright red markings on its tail and fins.
bloodflower
nounRare
/ˈblʌdˌflaʊə/A common name for several plants, notably Asclepias curassavica (tropical milkweed), valued for its red and orange flowers.
bloodhound
nounB2
/ˈblʌdhaʊnd/A large breed of dog with a very strong sense of smell, historically used for tracking people or animals by scent.
blooding
nounLow
/ˈblʌdɪŋ/The act of giving someone their first experience of something, especially a challenging or dangerous activity; historically, smearing a hunter's face with the blood of their first kill.
bloodless revolution
nounC1
/ˈblʌdləs ˌrɛvəˈluːʃ(ə)n/A fundamental change in political power or organizational structure that occurs without significant violence or loss of life.

Showing 5641–5660 of 10030 words.