Definitions & Meanings - English Dictionary

bong / b'ɒŋ / (bongs) [N-COUNT; SOUND] A bong is a long, deep sound such as the sound made by a big bell.

bon|go / b'ɒŋgoʊ / (bongos) [N-COUNT] A bongo is a small drum that you play with your hands.

bon|ho|mie / b'ɒnəmi / [N-UNCOUNT] Bonhomie is happy, good-natured friendliness. (FORMAL) He was full of bonhomie.

bonk / b'ɒŋk / (bonks bonking bonked) [V-RECIP] If two people bonk , they have sexual intercourse. (BRIT INFORMAL)

bonk|ers / b'ɒŋkə r z / [ADJ] v-link ADJ If you say that someone is bonkers , you mean that they are silly or act in a crazy way. (BRIT INFORMAL) The man must be bonkers to take such a risk... I nearly went bonkers with frustration. = barmy, crazy

bon|net / b'ɒnɪt / (bonnets) 1 [N-COUNT] The bonnet of a car is the metal cover over the engine at the front. (BRIT; in AM, use hood ) When I eventually stopped and lifted the bonnet, the noise seemed to be coming from the alternator. 2 [N-COUNT] A bonnet is a hat with ribbons that are tied under the chin. Bonnets are now worn by babies. In the past, they were also worn by women.

bon|ny / b'ɒni / (bonnier bonniest) [ADJ] Someone or something that is bonny is attractive and nice to look at. (mainly SCOTTISH or NORTHERN ENGLISH) Jemima was a bonny Highland lassie of 15. = lovely

bon|sai / b'ɒnsaɪ / (bonsai) 1 [N-COUNT] oft N n A bonsai is a tree or shrub that has been kept very small by growing it in a little pot and cutting it in a special way. ...a beautiful Japanese bonsai tree. 2 [N-UNCOUNT] Bonsai is the art of growing very small shrubs and trees.

bo|nus / b'oʊnəs / (bonuses) 1 [N-COUNT] A bonus is an extra amount of money that is added to someone's pay, usually because they have worked very hard. Workers in big firms receive a substantial part of their pay in the form of bonuses and overtime. ...a £15 bonus. ...a special bonus payment. 2 [N-COUNT] A bonus is something good that you get in addition to something else, and which you would not usually expect. We felt we might finish third. Any better would be a bonus... It's made from natural ingredients, but with the added bonus of containing 30 per cent less fat than ordinary cheese. = plus 3 [N-COUNT] A bonus is a sum of money that an insurance company pays to its policyholders, for example a percentage of the company's profits. These returns will not be enough to meet the payment of annual bonuses to policyholders.

bony / b'oʊni / 1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n Someone who has a bony face or bony hands, for example, has a very thin face or very thin hands, with very little flesh covering their bones. ...an old man with a bony face and white hair... He poked a long bony finger in Billy's chest. 2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n The bony parts of a person's or animal's body are the parts made of bone. ...the bony ridge of the eye socket.

boo / b'uː / (boos booing booed) 1 [VERB] V, V n, be V-ed If you boo a speaker or performer, you shout `boo' or make other loud sounds to indicate that you do not like them, their opinions, or their performance. People were booing and throwing things at them... Demonstrators booed and jeered him... He was booed off the stage. [N-COUNT] usu pl Boo is also a noun. She was greeted with boos and hisses. ● booing [N-UNCOUNT] The fans are entitled to their opinion but booing doesn't help anyone. 2 [EXCLAM] You say ` Boo! ' loudly and suddenly when you want to surprise someone who does not know that you are there. 3 see also peekaboo

boob / b'uːb / (boobs boobing boobed) 1 [N-COUNT] usu pl A woman's boobs are her breasts. (INFORMAL, RUDE) = breast 2 [VERB] V If you boob , you make a mistake. (BRIT INFORMAL) Is their timing right, or have they boobed again? [N-COUNT] Boob is also a noun. The government once again has made a big boob. = blunder boob tube (boob tubes) 1 [N-SING] the N The boob tube is the television. (mainly AM INFORMAL; in BRIT, use idiot box ) ...hours spent in front of the boob tube. 2 [N-COUNT] A boob tube is a piece of women's clothing made of stretchy material that covers only her chest. (BRIT INFORMAL; in AM, use tube top )

boo|by prize / b'uːbi praɪz / (booby prizes) [N-COUNT] The booby prize is a prize given as a joke to the person who comes last in a competition.

boo|gie / b'uːgi / (boogies boogying or boogieing boogied) [VERB] V When you boogie , you dance to fast pop music. (INFORMAL, OLD-FASHIONED) At night, a good place to boogie through till sunrise is the Pink Panther Bar.

♦♦♦ book / b'ʊk / (books booking booked) 1 [N-COUNT] A book is a number of pieces of paper, usually with words printed on them, which are fastened together and fixed inside a cover of stronger paper or cardboard. Books contain information, stories, or poetry, for example. His eighth book came out earlier this year and was an instant best-seller... ...the author of a book on politics. ...reference books. 2 [N-COUNT] usu N of n A book of something such as stamps, matches, or tickets is a small number of them fastened together between thin cardboard covers. Can I have a book of first class stamps please? 3 [VERB] V n, V n n, V-ed When you book something such as a hotel room or a ticket, you arrange to have it or use it at a particular time. British officials have booked hotel rooms for the women and children... Laurie revealed she had booked herself a flight home last night. ...three-star restaurants that are normally booked for months in advance....

book|able / b'ʊkəb ə l / 1 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ If something such as a theatre seat or plane ticket is bookable , it can be booked in advance. (mainly BRIT) Tours leave from Palma and are bookable at some hotels or any travel agency. 2 [ADJ] In sports such as football, a bookable offence is an action for which a player can be officially warned by the referee. Both men were dismissed for a second bookable offence.

book|binder / b'ʊkbaɪndə r / (bookbinders) also book-binder [N-COUNT] A bookbinder is a person whose job is fastening books together and putting covers on them.

book|bind|ing / b'ʊkbaɪndɪŋ / also book-binding [N-UNCOUNT] Bookbinding is the work of fastening books together and putting covers on them.

book|case / b'ʊkkeɪs / (bookcases) [N-COUNT] A bookcase is a piece of furniture with shelves that you keep books on.

booked up 1 [ADJ] v-link ADJ If a hotel, restaurant, theatre, or transport service is booked up , it has no rooms, tables, or tickets left for a time or date. (mainly BRIT) St Just seemed pretty booked up, but we managed to find a room at the George. = full 2 [ADJ] v-link ADJ If someone is booked up , they have made so many arrangements that they have no more time to do things. (mainly BRIT) Mr Wilson's diary is booked up for months ahead...

book|end / b'ʊkend / (bookends) also book-end [N-COUNT] usu pl Bookends are a pair of supports used to hold a row of books in an upright position by placing one at each end of the row.

bookie / b'ʊki / (bookies) [N-COUNT] A bookie is the same as a bookmaker . (INFORMAL)

book|ing / b'ʊkɪŋ / (bookings) [N-COUNT] usu with supp A booking is the arrangement that you make when you book something such as a hotel room, a table at a restaurant, a theatre seat, or a place on public transport. I suggest you tell him there was a mistake over his late booking. = reservation book|ing clerk (booking clerks) [N-COUNT] A booking clerk is a person who sells tickets, especially in a railway station. (BRIT) ...a railway booking clerk. book|ing of|fice (booking offices) [N-COUNT] A booking office is a room where tickets are sold and booked, especially in a theatre or station. (BRIT; in AM, use ticket office ) = ticket office

book|ish / b'ʊkɪʃ / [ADJ] Someone who is bookish spends a lot of time reading serious books. = studious

book|keeper / b'ʊkkiːpə r / (bookkeepers) also book-keeper [N-COUNT] A bookkeeper is a person whose job is to keep an accurate record of the money that is spent and received by a business or other organization. (BUSINESS)

book|keeping / b'ʊkkiːpɪŋ / also book-keeping [N-UNCOUNT] Bookkeeping is the job or activity of keeping an accurate record of the money that is spent and received by a business or other organization. (BUSINESS)

book|let / b'ʊklət / (booklets) [N-COUNT] A booklet is a small book that has a paper cover and that gives you information about something. = pamphlet

book|maker / b'ʊkmeɪkə r / (bookmakers) [N-COUNT] A bookmaker is a person whose job is to take your money when you bet and to pay you money if you win.

book|making / b'ʊkmeɪkɪŋ / [N-UNCOUNT] oft N n Bookmaking is the activity of taking people's money when they bet and paying them money if they win. ...an Internet bookmaking business.

book|mark / b'ʊkmɑː r k / (bookmarks bookmarking bookmarked) 1 [N-COUNT] A bookmark is a narrow piece of card or leather that you put between the pages of a book so that you can find a particular page easily. 2 [N-COUNT] In computing, a bookmark is the address of an Internet site that you put into a list on your computer so that you can return to it easily. (COMPUTING) This makes it extremely simple to save what you find with an electronic bookmark so you can return to it later. [VERB] V n Bookmark is also a verb. (COMPUTING) But this site is definitely worth bookmarking.

book|plate / b'ʊkpleɪt / (bookplates) [N-COUNT] A bookplate is a piece of decorated paper which is stuck in the front of a book and on which the owner's name is printed or written.

book|sell|er / b'ʊkselə r / (booksellers) [N-COUNT] A bookseller is a person who sells books.

book|shelf / b'ʊkʃelf / (bookshelves) [N-COUNT] A bookshelf is a shelf on which you keep books.

book|shop / b'ʊkʃɒp / (bookshops) [N-COUNT] A bookshop is a shop where books are sold. (BRIT; in AM, use bookstore )

book|stall / b'ʊkstɔːl / (bookstalls) 1 [N-COUNT] A bookstall is a long table from which books and magazines are sold, for example at a conference or in a street market. 2 [N-COUNT] A bookstall is a small shop with an open front where books and magazines are sold. Bookstalls are usually found in railway stations and airports. (BRIT; in AM, usually use newsstand ) = kiosk

book|store / b'ʊkstɔː r / (bookstores) [N-COUNT] A bookstore is a shop where books are sold. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use bookshop )

book|worm / b'ʊkwɜː r m / (bookworms) [N-COUNT] If you describe someone as a bookworm , you mean they are very fond of reading. (INFORMAL)

♦ boom / b'uːm / (booms booming boomed) 1 [N-COUNT] usu sing If there is a boom in the economy, there is an increase in economic activity, for example in the amount of things that are being bought and sold. An economic boom followed, especially in housing and construction... The 1980s were indeed boom years. ...the cycle of boom and bust which has damaged us for 40 years. ≠ slump 2 [N-COUNT] usu sing, with supp, oft N in n A boom in something is an increase in its amount, frequency, or success. The boom in the sport's popularity has meant more calls for stricter safety regulations... Public transport has not been able to cope adequately with the travel boom. ≠ slump 3 [VERB] V, V-ing If the economy or a business is booming , the amount of things being bought or sold is increasing. By 1988 the economy was booming... It has a booming tourist industry. 4 [N-COUNT] usu sing, the N On a boat, the boom is the long pole which is attached...

baby boom|er / b'eɪbi buːmə r / (baby boomers) also baby-boomer [N-COUNT] oft N n A baby boomer is someone who was born during a baby boom, especially during the years after the end of the Second World War. (mainly JOURNALISM INFORMAL)

boom|er|ang / b'uːməræŋ / (boomerangs boomeranging boomeranged) 1 [N-COUNT] A boomerang is a curved piece of wood which comes back to you if you throw it in the correct way. Boomerangs were first used by the people who were living in Australia when Europeans arrived there. 2 [VERB] V, V on/against n If a plan boomerangs , its result is not the one that was intended and is harmful to the person who made the plan. The trick boomeranged, though... He risks defeat in the referendum which he called, but which threatens to boomerang against him. = backfire

boon / b'uːn / (boons) [N-COUNT] usu a N to/for n You can describe something as a boon when it makes life better or easier for someone. This battery booster is a boon for photographers.

boon|dog|gle / b'uːndɒgl / (boondoggles) [N-COUNT] People sometimes refer to an official organization or activity as a boondoggle when they think it wastes a lot of time and money and does not achieve much. (AM INFORMAL) The new runway is a billion-dollar boondoggle.

boor / b'ʊə r / (boors) [N-COUNT] If you refer to someone as a boor , you think their behaviour and attitudes are rough, uneducated, and rude. = oaf

boor|ish / b'ʊərɪʃ / [ADJ] Boorish behaviour is rough, uneducated, and rude. ...their boorish rejection of the ageing movie star. = oafish

♦ boost / b'uːst / (boosts boosting boosted) 1 [VERB] V n, V n If one thing boosts another, it causes it to increase, improve, or be more successful. It wants the government to take action to boost the economy... The move is designed to boost sales during the peak booking months of January and February. [N-COUNT] usu sing Boost is also a noun. It would get the economy going and give us the boost that we need... 2 [VERB] V n If something boosts your confidence or morale, it improves it. We need a big win to boost our confidence... = bolster [N-COUNT] usu sing Boost is also a noun. It did give me a boost to win such a big event.

boost|er / b'uːstə r / (boosters) 1 [N-COUNT] usu n N A booster is something that increases a positive or desirable quality. It was amazing what a morale booster her visits proved... Praise is a great confidence booster. 2 [N-COUNT] A booster is an extra engine in a machine such as a space rocket, which provides an extra amount of power at certain times. Ground controllers will then fire the booster, sending the satellite into its proper orbit. 3 [N-COUNT] A booster is a small injection of a drug that you have some time after a larger injection, in order to make sure that the first injection will remain effective. 4 [N-COUNT] oft supp N, N n A booster is someone who supports a sports team, organization, person, or place very enthusiastically. (AM) A former associate of Mr. Pierce's was among the project's boosters. = supporter boost|er seat (booster seats) also booster cushion [N-COUNT] A booster seat or a booster cushion is a spec...

♦ boot / b'uːt / (boots booting booted) 1 [N-COUNT] Boots are shoes that cover your whole foot and the lower part of your leg. He sat in a kitchen chair, reached down and pulled off his boots... He was wearing riding pants, high boots, and spurs. see also wellington 2 [N-COUNT] Boots are strong, heavy shoes which cover your ankle and which have thick soles. You wear them to protect your feet, for example when you are walking or taking part in sport. The soldiers' boots resounded in the street... 3 [VERB] V n adv/prep If you boot something such as a ball, you kick it hard. (INFORMAL) He booted the ball 40 yards back up field... 4 [N-COUNT] The boot of a car is a covered space at the back or front, in which you carry things such as luggage and shopping. (BRIT; in AM, use trunk ) He opened the boot to put my bags in... 5 [PHRASE] V inflects If you get the boot or are given the boot , you are told that you are not wanted any more, either...

bootee / b'uːt'iː / (booteesor booties) 1 [N-COUNT] usu pl Bootees are short woollen socks that babies wear instead of shoes. 2 [N-COUNT] Bootees are short boots which come to just above the ankle. They are worn especially by women and girls.

booth / b'uːð / (booths) 1 [N-COUNT] usu n N A booth is a small area separated from a larger public area by screens or thin walls where, for example, people can make a telephone call or vote in private. I called her from a public phone booth near the entrance to the bar... = cubicle 2 [N-COUNT] A booth in a restaurant or café consists of a table with long fixed seats on two or sometimes three sides of it. They sat in a corner booth, away from other diners. phone booth (phone booths) 1 [N-COUNT] A phone booth is a place in a station, hotel, or other public building where there is a public telephone. 2 [N-COUNT] A phone booth is the same as a phone box . (AM) = call box, phone box poll|ing booth (polling booths) 1 [N-COUNT] usu pl Polling booths are the places where people go to vote in an election. In Darlington, queues formed at some polling booths. = polling station 2 [N-COUNT] A polling booth is one of the partly enclosed areas in...

boot|lace / b'uːtleɪs / (bootlaces) [N-COUNT] usu pl A bootlace is a long thin cord which is used to fasten a boot.

boot|leg / b'uːtleg / (bootlegs bootlegging bootlegged) 1 [ADJ] ADJ n Bootleg is used to describe something that is made secretly and sold illegally. ...a bootleg recording of the band's 1977 tour of Scandinavia. ...bootleg liquor. = illegal ≠ legal 2 [VERB] V n, V-ed To bootleg something such as a recording means to make and sell it illegally. He has sued a fan for bootlegging his concerts... Avid Bob Dylan fans treasure bootlegged recordings. [N-COUNT] Bootleg is also a noun. The record was a bootleg. ● bootlegger [N-COUNT] Bootleggers sold 75 million dollars-worth of copies.

boot|straps / b'uːtstræps / [PHRASE] V inflects If you have pulled yourself up by your bootstraps , you have achieved success by your own efforts, starting from very difficult circumstances and without help from anyone.

boo|ty / b'uːti / [N-UNCOUNT] Booty is a collection of valuable things stolen from a place, especially by soldiers after a battle. Troops destroyed the capital and confiscated many works of art as war booty. = spoils

booze / b'uːz / (boozes boozing boozed) 1 [N-UNCOUNT] also the N Booze is alcoholic drink. (INFORMAL) ...booze and cigarettes. ...empty bottles of booze. 2 [VERB] V If people booze , they drink alcohol. (INFORMAL) ...a load of drunken businessmen who had been boozing all afternoon. ● boozing [N-UNCOUNT] She had to contend with the boozing and girl-chasing of her husband.

boozed / b'uːzd / [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ If someone is boozed or boozed up , they are drunk. (INFORMAL) He's half asleep and a bit boozed.

booz|er / b'uːzə r / (boozers) 1 [N-COUNT] A boozer is a pub . (BRIT INFORMAL) They're in the boozer most nights. 2 [N-COUNT] A boozer is a person who drinks a lot of alcohol. (INFORMAL) I thought he was a bit of a boozer.

boozy / b'uːzi / [ADJ] usu ADJ n A boozy person is someone who drinks a lot of alcohol. (INFORMAL) ...a cheerful, boozy chain-smoker.

bop / b'ɒp / (bops bopping bopped) 1 [N-COUNT] A bop is a dance. (BRIT INFORMAL) People just want a good tune and a good bop. = dance 2 [VERB] V adv/prep, V If you bop , you dance. (BRIT INFORMAL) He was bopping around, snapping his fingers... Guests bopped and jigged the night away to the disco beat. = dance 3 see also bebop

bo|rax / b'ɔːræks / [N-UNCOUNT] Borax is a white powder used, for example, in the making of glass and as a cleaning chemical.

bor|del|lo / bɔ'ː r d'eloʊ / (bordellos) [N-COUNT] A bordello is a brothel . (LITERARY)

♦♦ bor|der / b'ɔː r də r / (borders bordering bordered) 1 [N-COUNT] The border between two countries or regions is the dividing line between them. Sometimes the border also refers to the land close to this line. They fled across the border. ...the isolated jungle area near the Panamanian border... Clifford is enjoying life north of the border. ...the Mexican border town of Tijuana... = frontier 2 [VERB] V n A country that borders another country, a sea, or a river is next to it. ...the European and Arab countries bordering the Mediterranean. [PHRASAL VERB] V P n Border on means the same as border . Both republics border on the Black Sea. 3 [N-COUNT] A border is a strip or band around the edge of something. ...pillowcases trimmed with a hand-crocheted border. 4 [N-COUNT] In a garden, a border is a long strip of ground along the edge planted with flowers. ...a lawn flanked by wide herbaceous borders. ...border plants. 5 [VERB] ...

border|land / b'ɔː r də r lænd / (borderlands) 1 [N-SING] usu with supp The borderland between two things is an area which contains features from both of these things so that it is not possible to say that it belongs to one or the other. ...on the borderland between sleep and waking. 2 [N-COUNT] usu pl The area of land close to the border between two countries or major areas can be called the borderlands . ...Lebanon's southern borderlands.

border|line / b'ɔː r də r laɪn / (borderlines) 1 [N-COUNT] usu N between/of n The borderline between two different or opposite things is the division between them. ...a task which involves exploring the borderline between painting and photography. 2 [ADJ] Something that is borderline is only just acceptable as a member of a class or group. Some were obviously unsuitable and could be ruled out at once. Others were borderline cases.

♦ bore / b'ɔː r / (bores boring bored) 1 [VERB] V n with n, V n If someone or something bores you, you find them dull and uninteresting. Dickie bored him all through the meal with stories of the Navy... Life in the country bores me. 2 [PHRASE] V inflects If someone or something bores you to tears , bores you to death , or bores you stiff , they bore you very much indeed. (INFORMAL) ...a handsome engineer who bored me to tears with his tales of motorway maintenance... 3 [N-COUNT] You describe someone as a bore when you think that they talk in a very uninteresting way. There is every reason why I shouldn't enjoy his company-he's a bore and a fool. 4 [N-SING] a N You can describe a situation as a bore when you find it annoying. It's a bore to be sick, and the novelty of lying in bed all day wears off quickly. = drag 5 [VERB] V n If you bore a hole in something, you make a deep round hole in it using a special tool. Get the sp...

bored / b'ɔː r d / [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ with n/-ing If you are bored , you feel tired and impatient because you have lost interest in something or because you have nothing to do. I am getting very bored with this entire business.

bore|dom / b'ɔː r dəm / [N-UNCOUNT] Boredom is the state of being bored. He had given up attending lectures out of sheer boredom... They often find they begin to chat to relieve the boredom of the flight.

bore|hole / b'ɔː r hoʊl / (boreholes) [N-COUNT] A borehole is a deep round hole made by a special tool or machine, especially one that is made in the ground when searching for oil or water.

bor|ing / b'ɔːrɪŋ / [ADJ] Someone or something boring is so dull and uninteresting that they make people tired and impatient. Not only are mothers not paid but also most of their boring or difficult work is unnoticed. ...boring television programmes. = dull, tedious ≠ interesting ● boringly [ADV] usu ADV adj The meal itself was not so good-everything was boringly brown including the vegetables.

♦♦ born / b'ɔː r n / 1 [V-PASSIVE] be V-ed, be V-ed of/to n, V-ed of/to n When a baby is born , it comes out of its mother's body at the beginning of its life. In formal English, if you say that someone is born of someone or to someone, you mean that person is their parent. My mother was 40 when I was born... He was born of German parents and lived most of his life abroad... Willie Smith was the second son born to Jean and Stephen. 2 [V-PASSIVE] no cont, be V-ed with n, be V-ed adj, be V-ed to-inf, be V-ed n If someone is born with a particular disease, problem, or characteristic, they have it from the time they are born. He was born with only one lung... Some people are born brainy... I think he was born to be editor of a tabloid newspaper... We are all born leaders; we just need the right circumstances in which to flourish. 3 [V-PASSIVE] no cont, be V-ed n You can use be born in front of a particular name to show that a person was given...

borne / b'ɔː r n / Borne is the past participle of bear .

bor|ough / b'ʌrə, AM b'ɜːroʊ / (boroughs) [N-COUNT] oft the N of n, N n A borough is a town, or a district within a large town, which has its own council. ...the New York City borough of Brooklyn.

♦ bor|row / b'ɒroʊ / (borrows borrowing borrowed) 1 [VERB] V n, V n If you borrow something that belongs to someone else, you take it or use it for a period of time, usually with their permission. Can I borrow a pen please?... He wouldn't let me borrow his clothes. ≠ lend 2 [VERB] V n from n, V from n, V, also V n If you borrow money from someone or from a bank, they give it to you and you agree to pay it back at some time in the future. Morgan borrowed £5,000 from his father to form the company 20 years ago... It's so expensive to borrow from finance companies... He borrowed heavily to get the money together. 3 [VERB] V n from n If you borrow a book from a library, you take it away for a fixed period of time. I couldn't afford to buy any, so I borrowed them from the library. 4 [VERB] V n, V n If you borrow something such as a word or an idea from another language or from another person's work, you use it in your own lang...

bor|row|er / b'ɒroʊə r / (borrowers) [N-COUNT] A borrower is a person or organization that borrows money. ≠ lender

bor|row|ing / b'ɒroʊɪŋ / (borrowings) [N-UNCOUNT] also N in pl Borrowing is the activity of borrowing money. We have allowed spending and borrowing to rise in this recession.

bos|om / bʊzəm / (bosoms) 1 [N-COUNT] A woman's breasts are sometimes referred to as her bosom or her bosoms . (OLD-FASHIONED) ...a large young mother with a baby resting against her ample bosom. = bust 2 [ADJ] ADJ n A bosom friend is a friend who you know very well and like very much indeed. They were bosom friends... Sakota was her cousin and bosom pal.

♦♦ boss / b'ɒs / (bosses bossing bossed) 1 [N-COUNT] usu with supp, oft poss N Your boss is the person in charge of the organization or department where you work. He cannot stand his boss... Occasionally I have to go and ask the boss for a rise. 2 [N-COUNT] usu the N in sing If you are the boss in a group or relationship, you are the person who makes all the decisions. (INFORMAL) He thinks he's the boss. 3 [VERB] V n prep/adv, V n If you say that someone bosses you, you mean that they keep telling you what to do in a way that is irritating. We cannot boss them into doing more... `You are not to boss me!' she shouted. = order around [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, also V P n (not pron) Boss around , or in British English boss about , means the same as boss . He started bossing people around and I didn't like what was happening. 4 [PHRASE] V inflects If you are your own boss , you work for yourself or make your own decisions and do not ...

bossy / b'ɒsi / [ADJ] If you describe someone as bossy , you mean that they enjoy telling people what to do. She remembers being a rather bossy little girl. ● bossiness [N-UNCOUNT] They resent what they see as bossiness.

bo|sun / b'oʊs ə n / (bosuns) [N-COUNT] oft the N The bosun on a ship is the officer whose job it is to look after the ship and its equipment.

bot / b'ɒt / (bots) [N-COUNT] A bot is a computer program that carries out tasks for other programs or users, especially on the Internet. (COMPUTING)

bo|tan|ic / bət'ænɪk / [ADJ] ADJ n Botanic means the same as botanical .

bo|tani|cal / bət'ænɪk ə l / (botanicals) 1 [ADJ] ADJ n Botanical books, research, and activities relate to the scientific study of plants. The area is of great botanical interest. ...botanical gardens. 2 [N-COUNT] Botanicals are drugs which are made from plants. The most effective new botanicals are extracts from cola nut and marine algae.

bota|nist / b'ɒtənɪst / (botanists) [N-COUNT] A botanist is a scientist who studies plants.

bota|ny / b'ɒtəni / [N-UNCOUNT] Botany is the scientific study of plants.

botch / b'ɒtʃ / (botches botching botched) 1 [VERB] V n, V-ed If you botch something that you are doing, you do it badly or clumsily. (INFORMAL) It is a silly idea and he has botched it. ...a botched job. = bungle [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P Botch up means the same as botch . I hate having builders botch up repairs on my house... Hemingway complained that Nichols had `botched everything up'. = mess up 2 [N-COUNT] usu sing If you make a botch of something that you are doing, you botch it. (INFORMAL) I rather made a botch of that whole thing. = mess

♦♦♦ both / b'oʊθ / 1 [DET] DET pl-n You use both when you are referring to two people or things and saying that something is true about each of them. She cried out in fear and flung both arms up to protect her face... Put both vegetables into a bowl and crush with a potato masher. [QUANT] QUANT of pl-n Both is also a quantifier. Both of these women have strong memories of the Vietnam War... We're going to Andreas's Boutique to pick out something original for both of us. [PRON] Both is also a pronoun. Miss Brown and her friend, both from Stoke, were arrested on the 8th of June... Will there be public-works programmes, or community service, or both? [PRON] n PRON Both is also an emphasizing pronoun. He visited the Institute of Neurology in Havana where they both worked... `Well, I'll leave you both, then,' said Gregory. [PREDET] PREDET det pl-n Both is also a predeterminer. Both the band's writers are fascinating lyr...

♦ both|er / b'ɒðə r / (bothers bothering bothered) 1 [VERB] with brd-neg, V to-inf, V -ing, V, V with/about n If you do not bother to do something or if you do not bother with it, you do not do it, consider it, or use it because you think it is unnecessary or because you are too lazy. Lots of people don't bother to go through a marriage ceremony these days... Most of the papers didn't even bother reporting it... Nothing I do makes any difference anyway, so why bother? ...and he does not bother with a helmet either. 2 [N-UNCOUNT] also a N Bother means trouble or difficulty. You can also use bother to refer to an activity which causes this, especially when you would prefer not to do it or get involved with it. I usually buy sliced bread-it's less bother... Most men hate the bother of shaving. = trouble 3 [VERB] V n, V n, it V n that/wh, V about n, also it V n to-inf If something bothers you, or if you bother about it, it worries, ...

both|er|some / b'ɒðə r səm / [ADJ] Someone or something that is bothersome is annoying or irritating. (OLD-FASHIONED) = troublesome

♦♦ bot|tle / b'ɒt ə l / (bottles bottling bottled) 1 [N-COUNT] A bottle is a glass or plastic container in which drinks and other liquids are kept. Bottles are usually round with straight sides and a narrow top. There were two empty beer bottles on the table... He was pulling the cork from a bottle of wine. ...Victorian scent bottles. [N-COUNT] usu N of n A bottle of something is an amount of it contained in a bottle. He had drunk half a bottle of whisky. 2 [VERB] V n, V-ed To bottle a drink or other liquid means to put it into bottles after it has been made. This is a large truck which has equipment to automatically bottle the wine. ...bottled water. 3 [N-COUNT] usu with supp A bottle is a drinking container used by babies. It has a special rubber part at the top through which they can suck their drink. 4 see also bottled , feeding bottle , water bottle , water bottle bot|tle bank (bottle banks) [N-COUNT] A bottle bank is a large co...

bot|tled / b'ɒt ə ld / [ADJ] usu ADJ n Bottled gas is kept under pressure in special metal cylinders which can be moved from one place to another. see also bottle

bottle|neck / b'ɒt ə lnek / (bottlenecks) 1 [N-COUNT] A bottleneck is a place where a road becomes narrow or where it meets another road so that the traffic slows down or stops, often causing traffic jams. 2 [N-COUNT] A bottleneck is a situation that stops a process or activity from progressing. He pushed everyone full speed ahead until production hit a bottleneck.

bot|tler / b'ɒtələ r / (bottlers) [N-COUNT] A bottler is a person or company that puts drinks into bottles.

♦♦ bot|tom / b'ɒtəm / (bottoms bottoming bottomed) 1 [N-COUNT] usu the N in sing, oft N of n The bottom of something is the lowest or deepest part of it. He sat at the bottom of the stairs... Answers can be found at the bottom of page 8. ...the bottom of the sea. ≠ top 2 [ADJ] ADJ n The bottom thing or layer in a series of things or layers is the lowest one. There's an extra duvet in the bottom drawer of the cupboard. ≠ top 3 [N-COUNT] usu the N in sing, usu with supp The bottom of an object is the flat surface at its lowest point. You can also refer to the inside or outside of this surface as the bottom . Spread the onion slices on the bottom of the dish. ...the bottom of their shoes. ...a suitcase with a false bottom. = base 4 [N-SING] the N If you say that the bottom has dropped or fallen out of a market or industry, you mean that people have stopped buying the products it sells. (BUSINESS, JOURNALISM) The bottom had fal...

bot|tom|less / b'ɒtəmləs / 1 [ADJ] If you describe a supply of something as bottomless , you mean that it seems so large that it will never run out. Princess Anne does not have a bottomless purse. 2 [ADJ] If you describe something as bottomless , you mean that it is so deep that it seems to have no bottom. His eyes were like bottomless brown pools. 3 [PHRASE] If you describe something as a bottomless pit , you mean that it seems as if you can take things from it and it will never be empty or put things in it and it will never be full. A gold mine is not a bottomless pit, the gold runs out... The problem is we don't have a bottomless pit of resources...

botu|lism / b'ɒtʃʊlɪzəm / [N-UNCOUNT] Botulism is a serious form of food poisoning. (MEDICAL)

bou|doir / b'uːdwɑː r / (boudoirs) [N-COUNT] A boudoir is a woman's bedroom or private sitting room. (OLD-FASHIONED)

bouf|fant / b'uːfɒn, AM buːf'ɑːnt / [ADJ] usu ADJ n A bouffant hairstyle is one in which your hair is high and full. ...blonde bouffant hairdos.

bough / b'aʊ / (boughs) [N-COUNT] A bough is a large branch of a tree. (LITERARY) I rested my fishing rod against a pine bough.

bought / b'ɔːt / Bought is the past tense and past participle of buy .

bouil|la|baisse / b'uːjəbes / [N-UNCOUNT] also a N Bouillabaisse is a rich stew or soup of fish and vegetables.

bouil|lon / b'uːjɒn, AM b'ʊljɑːn / (bouillons) [N-VAR] Bouillon is a liquid made by boiling meat and bones or vegetables in water and used to make soups and sauces. = stock

boul|der / b'oʊldə r / (boulders) [N-COUNT] A boulder is a large rounded rock.

boule|vard / b'uːləvɑː r d, AM b'ʊl- / (boulevards) [N-COUNT] oft in names A boulevard is a wide street in a city, usually with trees along each side. ...Lenton Boulevard. = avenue

bounce / b'aʊns / (bounces bouncing bounced) 1 [VERB] V n prep, V n, V prep/adv, V, also V n with adv When an object such as a ball bounces or when you bounce it, it moves upwards from a surface or away from it immediately after hitting it. I bounced a ball against the house... My father would burst into the kitchen bouncing a football. ...a falling pebble, bouncing down the eroded cliff... They watched the dodgem cars bang and bounce. [N-COUNT] Bounce is also a noun. The wheelchair tennis player is allowed two bounces of the ball. 2 [VERB] V off n, V n off n If sound or light bounces off a surface or is bounced off it, it reaches the surface and is reflected back. Your arms and legs need protection from light bouncing off glass... They work by bouncing microwaves off solid objects. 3 [VERB] V, V adv, V n If something bounces or if something bounces it, it swings or moves up and down. Her long black hair bounced as she walked... The...

bounc|er / b'aʊnsə r / (bouncers) [N-COUNT] A bouncer is a man who stands at the door of a club, prevents unwanted people from coming in, and makes people leave if they cause trouble.

bounc|ing / b'aʊnsɪŋ / [ADJ] v-link ADJ with n, ADJ n If you say that someone is bouncing with health, you mean that they are very healthy. You can also refer to a bouncing baby. They are bouncing with health in the good weather... Derek is now the proud father of a bouncing baby girl. see also bounce

bouncy / b'aʊnsi / 1 [ADJ] Someone or something that is bouncy is very lively. She was bouncy and full of energy. 2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n A bouncy thing can bounce very well or makes other things bounce well. ...a children's paradise filled with bouncy toys. ...a bouncy chair. bouncy cas|tle (bouncy castles) [N-COUNT] A bouncy castle is a large object filled with air, often in the shape of a castle, which children play on at a fairground or other outdoor event.

♦ bound 1 / b'aʊnd / (bound) BE BOUND 1 Bound is the past tense and past participle of bind . 2 [PHRASE] If you say that something is bound to happen, you mean that you are sure it will happen, because it is a natural consequence of something that is already known or exists. There are bound to be price increases next year... If you are topless in a public place, this sort of thing is bound to happen. 3 [PHRASE] If you say that something is bound to happen or be true, you feel confident and certain of it, although you have no definite knowledge or evidence. (SPOKEN) I'll show it to Benjamin. He's bound to know... We'll have more than one child, and one of them's bound to be a boy. 4 [ADJ] v-link ADJ to n If one person, thing, or situation is bound to another, they are closely associated with each other, and it is difficult for them to be separated or to escape from each other. We are as tightly bound to the people we dislike as to t...

bounda|ry / b'aʊndəri / (boundaries) 1 [N-COUNT] oft N of/between n The boundary of an area of land is an imaginary line that separates it from other areas. ...the Bow Brook which forms the western boundary of the wood... Drug traffickers operate across national boundaries. = border, frontier 2 [N-COUNT] usu pl, oft N of/between n The boundaries of something such as a subject or activity are the limits that people think that it has. The boundaries between history and storytelling are always being blurred and muddled. ...extending the boundaries of press freedom.

bound|er / b'aʊndə r / (bounders) [N-COUNT] If you call a man a bounder , you mean he behaves in an unkind, deceitful, or selfish way. (BRIT OLD-FASHIONED) = cad

bound|less / b'aʊndləs / [ADJ] If you describe something as boundless , you mean that there seems to be no end or limit to it. His reforming zeal was boundless. = infinite, limitless

boun|ti|ful / b'aʊntɪfʊl / 1 [ADJ] A bountiful supply or amount of something pleasant is a large one. State aid is less bountiful than it was before. ...a bountiful harvest of fruits and vegetables. = plentiful 2 [ADJ] A bountiful area or period of time produces or provides large amounts of something, especially food. The land is bountiful and no one starves. = rich

boun|ty / b'aʊnti / (bounties) 1 [N-VAR] with supp You can refer to something that is provided in large amounts as bounty . (LITERARY) ...autumn's bounty of fruits, seeds and berries. 2 [N-COUNT] A bounty is money that is offered as a reward for doing something, especially for finding or killing a particular person. They paid bounties for people to give up their weapons. boun|ty hunt|er (bounty hunters) [N-COUNT] A bounty hunter is someone who tries to find or kill someone in order to get the reward that has been offered.

bou|quet / boʊk'eɪ, buː- / (bouquets) 1 [N-COUNT] oft N of n A bouquet is a bunch of flowers which is attractively arranged. The woman carried a bouquet of dried violets. 2 [N-VAR] The bouquet of something, especially wine, is the pleasant smell that it has. ...a Sicilian wine with a light red colour and a bouquet of cloves. = fragrance bou|quet gar|ni / boʊk'eɪ gɑː r n'iː, buː- / [N-SING] also no det A bouquet garni is a bunch of herbs that are tied together and used in cooking to add flavour to the food.

bour|bon / b'ɜː r bən / (bourbons) [N-MASS] Bourbon is a type of whisky that is made mainly in America. I poured a little more bourbon into my glass. [N-COUNT] A bourbon is a small glass of bourbon.

bour|geois / b'ʊə r ʒwɑː / 1 [ADJ] If you describe people, their way of life, or their attitudes as bourgeois , you disapprove of them because you consider them typical of conventional middle-class people. He's accusing them of having a bourgeois and limited vision. 2 see also petit bourgeois pet|it bour|geois / p'eti b'ʊə r ʒwɑː / also petty bourgeois [ADJ] Someone or something that is petit bourgeois belongs or relates to the lower middle class. He had a petit bourgeois mentality. pet|ty bour|geois see petit bourgeois

bour|geoi|sie / b'ʊə r ʒwɑːz'iː / [N-SING-COLL] the N In Marxist theory, the bourgeoisie are the middle-class people who own most of the wealth in a capitalist system. (TECHNICAL) ...the suppression of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie. see also petit bourgeoisie pet|it bour|geoi|sie / p'eti bʊə r ʒwɑːz'iː / also petty bourgeoisie [N-SING-COLL] the N The petit bourgeoisie are people in the lower middle class. pet|ty bour|geoi|sie see petit bourgeoisie

bourse / b'uː r s / (bourses) [N-COUNT] also in names A country's or region's bourse is its stock exchange.

bout / b'aʊt / (bouts) 1 [N-COUNT] usu N of n If you have a bout of an illness or of an unpleasant feeling, you have it for a short period. He was recovering from a severe bout of flu... I was suffering with a bout of nerves. 2 [N-COUNT] usu N of n A bout of something that is unpleasant is a short time during which it occurs a great deal. The latest bout of violence has claimed twenty four lives... A half-hour daily walk can be more beneficial than one hard bout of exercise a week. = spell 3 [N-COUNT] A bout is a boxing or wrestling match. This will be his eighth title bout in 19 months.

bou|tique / buːt'iːk / (boutiques) [N-COUNT] A boutique is a small shop that sells fashionable clothes, shoes, or jewellery.

bo|vine / b'oʊvaɪn / 1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n Bovine means relating to cattle. (TECHNICAL) 2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n If you describe someone's behaviour or appearance as bovine , you think that they are stupid or slow. I'm depressed by the bovine enthusiasm of the crowd's response.

bow down 1 [PHRASAL VERB] oft with brd-neg, V P to n If you refuse to bow down to another person, you refuse to show them respect or to behave in a way which you think would make you seem weaker or less important than them. We should not have to bow down to anyone. = kow-tow 2 see also bow 4 bow out [PHRASAL VERB] V P, also V P of n If you bow out of something, you stop taking part in it. (WRITTEN) He had bowed out gracefully when his successor had been appointed. = step down bow tie / b'oʊ t'aɪ / (bow ties) also bow-tie [N-COUNT] A bow tie is a tie in the form of a bow. Bow ties are worn by men, especially for formal occasions. bow 1 / b'aʊ / (bow bows bowing bowed) BENDING OR SUBMITTING 1 [VERB] V to n, V When you bow to someone, you briefly bend your body towards them as a formal way of greeting them or showing respect. They bowed low to Louis and hastened out of his way... He bowed slightly before taking her bag. [N-COUNT] us...