by-–the British Council Vocabulary (B Words) – Meanings & Synonyms

by-

LanguageC1

Meaning: indicating something secondary or less important

Part of speech: prefix

Example: The by-product was not the main focus.

Category: Language

by name

LanguageC1

Meaning: specifically identified

Part of speech: phrase

Example: He was known by name in the community.

Category: Language

by-catch

ScienceC2

Meaning: unintended catch of non-target species in fishing

Part of speech: noun

Example: By-catch can harm marine ecosystems.

Category: Science › Marine Biology

Synonyms:

incidental catch
bykill

bye

LanguageA1

Meaning: a casual way to say goodbye

Part of speech: interjection

Example: I said bye to my friends before leaving.

Category: Language

Synonyms:

goodbye
farewell

bye-byes

LanguageA2

Meaning: a casual term for goodbyes

Part of speech: noun

Example: We exchanged bye-byes before parting.

Category: Language

Synonyms:

farewells
goodbyes

bye-law

LawB2

Meaning: a rule made by a local authority

Part of speech: noun

Example: The council passed a new bye-law regarding noise.

Category: Law

Synonyms:

regulation
ordinance

by-election

PoliticsC1

Meaning: an election held to fill a vacancy

Part of speech: noun

Example: The by-election was held to choose a new representative.

Category: Politics

Synonyms:

special election
interim election

Byelorussian

CultureC1

Meaning: relating to Belarus

Part of speech: adjective

Example: The Byelorussian culture is rich and diverse.

Category: Culture

Synonyms: Belarusian

bygone

HistoryC1

Meaning: belonging to an earlier time

Part of speech: adjective

Example: The bygone era was filled with charm.

Category: History

Synonyms:

past
former

Antonyms:

present
current

bygones

HistoryC1

Meaning: things that happened in the past

Part of speech: noun

Example: Let's forget the bygones and move forward.

Category: History

Synonyms:

past events
history

by-law

LawB2

Meaning: a rule made by a local authority

Part of speech: noun

Example: The city has a by-law against littering.

Category: Law

Synonyms:

regulation
ordinance

by-line

ArtsC1

Meaning: a line that names the author of an article

Part of speech: noun

Example: The by-line appeared at the top of the article.

Category: Arts › Journalism

Synonyms:

author line
credit line

bypass

TransportationB2

Meaning: to go around or avoid something

Part of speech: verb

Example: We had to bypass the road construction.

Category: Transportation

Synonyms:

avoid
circumvent

Antonyms:

approach
confront

by-product

BusinessC1

Meaning: a secondary product made during the production of something

Part of speech: noun

Example: The by-product of the process was used for energy.

Category: Business

Synonyms:

secondary product
byproduct

byre

AgricultureC1

Meaning: a barn for cows

Part of speech: noun

Example: The cows were kept in the byre.

Category: Agriculture

Synonyms:

barn
shed

byroad

TransportationC1

Meaning: a road less traveled

Part of speech: noun

Example: We took a byroad to avoid traffic.

Category: Transportation

Synonyms:

back road
side road

bystander

SocialA2

Meaning: A person who is present at an event but not involved in it.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The bystander witnessed the accident and called for help.

Category: Social

Meaning 2: Someone who observes a situation without taking action.

Example:

As a bystander
she felt helpless during the argument.

Synonyms:

observer
onlooker

Antonyms:

participant
actor

byte

TechnologyB1

Meaning: A unit of digital information that consists of 8 bits.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The file size is 256 bytes.

Category: Technology › Computer Science

Meaning 2: A basic unit of data in computer storage.

Example: Each character in a text file typically takes up one byte.

Synonyms:

data unit
bit

byway

TravelB2

Meaning: A secondary or less traveled road.

Part of speech: noun

Example: They took a scenic byway through the countryside.

Category: Travel

Meaning 2: A path or route that is not commonly used.

Example: Exploring the byways can lead to hidden gems.

Synonyms:

side road
back road

Antonyms:

highway
main road

byword

LanguageC1

Meaning: A word or phrase that is strongly associated with something.

Part of speech: noun

Example: His name became a byword for excellence in the field.

Category: Language

Meaning 2: A term that represents a particular quality or characteristic.

Example: Injustice is often a byword for the legal system.

Synonyms:

synonym
catchphrase

Byzantine

HistoryC2

Meaning: Relating to the Byzantine Empire or its culture.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: The Byzantine architecture is known for its intricate designs.

Category: History

Meaning 2:

Complex and intricate
often in a confusing way.

Example: The rules of the game were so Byzantine that no one understood them.

Synonyms:

complex
intricate

Antonyms:

simple
straightforward

the Balkans

GeographyB2

Meaning: A geographical region in Southeast Europe, known for its diverse cultures and history.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The Balkans have a rich cultural heritage.

Category: Geography › Regions

Synonyms: Balkan Peninsula

the BBC World Service

MediaB2

Meaning: an international radio service of the BBC

Part of speech: noun

Example: The BBC World Service broadcasts news worldwide.

Category: Media

Synonyms: international service

the beat generation

ArtsC2

Meaning: A literary and cultural movement in the 1950s.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The beat generation influenced modern poetry.

Category: Arts › Literature

Synonyms:

Beatniks
counterculture

the Beau fort scale

ScienceC2

Meaning: A scale for measuring wind force.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The Beau fort scale is used by sailors.

Category: Science › Meteorology

Synonyms:

wind scale
force scale

the Beeb

MediaB2

Meaning: a colloquial term for the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)

Part of speech: noun

Example: I heard it on the Beeb.

Category: Media

Synonyms: BBC

the Bermuda Triangle

GeographyC2

Meaning: an area in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean where ships and aircraft are said to disappear.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Many myths surround the Bermuda Triangle.

Category: Geography

the Big apple

GeographyB2

Meaning: A nickname for New York City.

Part of speech: noun

Example: She dreams of visiting the Big Apple someday.

Category: Geography

the Big Bad Wolf

LiteratureB2

Meaning: A character from fairy tales, often depicted as a villain.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The Big Bad Wolf is known for trying to trick Little Red Riding Hood.

Category: Literature

the big screen

EntertainmentB2

Meaning: Referring to cinema or movies.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Many actors dream of appearing on the big screen.

Category: Entertainment

the big smoke

GeographyB2

Meaning: A colloquial term for a large city, especially London.

Part of speech: noun

Example: He moved to the big smoke for better job opportunities.

Category: Geography

the biz

BusinessB2

Meaning: Informal term for business or industry.

Part of speech: noun

Example: He's been in the biz for over a decade.

Category: Business › Industry

the black arts

ArtsC2

Meaning: Practices associated with magic or witchcraft.

Part of speech: noun

Example: He was rumored to dabble in the black arts.

Category: Arts › Magic

the Black Death

HistoryC2

Meaning: A devastating plague that struck Europe in the 14th century.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The Black Death killed millions of people.

Category: History › Epidemics

the black economy

EconomicsC2

Meaning: Economic activity that is not regulated by the government.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The black economy can lead to significant losses in tax revenue.

Category: Economics › Informal Economy

the blue channel

TechnologyC1

Meaning: A specific frequency or channel used for communication.

Part of speech: noun

Example: We tuned into the blue channel for the latest updates.

Category: Technology › Communication

the BNP

PoliticsC2

Meaning: British National Party, a political party in the UK.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The BNP has been controversial in its policies.

Category: Politics › Political Parties

the body politic

PoliticsC1

Meaning: The collective body of citizens in a state or nation.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The body politic must be engaged in the democratic process.

Category: Politics › Government

Synonyms:

citizenry
electorate

the brat pack

ArtsC2

Meaning: a group of young actors in the 1980s

Part of speech: noun

Example: The Brat Pack starred in several popular films.

Category: Arts › Film

Synonyms: young actors

the British Council

CultureB2

Meaning: an organization promoting British culture and education

Part of speech: noun

Example: The British Council offers scholarships.

Category: Culture › Organizations

Synonyms:

cultural organization
educational body

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