Verbs

Verbs That Start With B: Common, Academic, and Phrasal Verbs (with Exercises)

by
Published on by Emma Grace • Revised on
12 min read
A2 EnglishB1 English

Verbs that start with B are some of the most common and useful words in English. From basic verbs like be, break, and buy to more advanced ones like benefit and brainstorm, these words help you talk about actions, feelings, and ideas clearly and naturally.

Top Common Verbs that Start with B

Illustration of common English verbs that start with the letter BPin

Verbs that Start with B – Created by 7ESL

Essential “B” Verbs for Beginners

Here are some everyday verbs that begin with B. These are very useful for daily conversations.

Be

Definition: To exist or to describe someone or something (am, is, are, was, were).

Examples:

  • She is a teacher.
  • They were very tired after the trip.

Break

Definition: To separate something into pieces; to stop working.

Examples:

  • He broke the vase by accident.
  • My phone broke yesterday.

Buy

Definition: To get something by paying money.

Examples:

  • I need to buy some groceries for dinner.
  • She bought a new laptop last week.

Bring

Definition: To take something or someone with you to a place.

Examples:

  • Please bring your ID to the interview.
  • Can you bring me a glass of water?

Build

Definition: To make or construct something.

Examples:

  • They are going to build a new library.
  • We built a sandcastle on the beach.

Borrow

Definition: To take something that belongs to someone else and promise to give it back.

Examples:

  • Can I borrow your pen for a moment?
  • He borrowed some books from the library.

Believe

Definition: To think that something is true or real; to have confidence in someone or something.

Examples:

  • I believe you are telling the truth.
  • She believes in herself.

Begin

Definition: To start doing something.

Examples:

  • The class will begin at 9 a.m.
  • They began to laugh.

Behave

Definition: To act in a particular way, especially to be polite or well-mannered.

Examples:

  • You need to behave in public.
  • The children behaved well at the party.

Academic & Formal Verbs Starting with B

These verbs are common in academic writing, business English, and exams like IELTS or TOEFL.

Balance

Definition: To make things equal, fair, or stable.

Example: The government must balance economic growth with environmental protection.

Ban

Definition: To officially say that something is not allowed.

Example: Many countries ban smoking in public places.

Benefit

Definition: To gain an advantage from something; to help someone.

Example: Students can greatly benefit from extra reading practice.

Boost

Definition: To increase or improve something.

Example: The new marketing campaign helped boost sales.

Broaden

Definition: To make something wider or to increase the range of something (e.g. knowledge).

Example: Studying abroad can broaden your perspective.

Budget

Definition: To plan how to spend money carefully.

Example: The company has to budget for rising energy costs.

Brief

Definition: To give someone essential information or instructions.

Example: The manager will brief the team before the conference.

Bridge

Definition: To connect or reduce the difference between two things.

Example: The program aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Broadcast

Definition: To send out information, news, or programs on television, radio, or the internet.

Example: The speech was broadcast live around the world.

Bother

Definition: To make someone feel worried, upset, or annoyed; to take the trouble to do something.

Example: Noise from the construction site can bother local residents.

Bar

Definition: To officially prevent someone from doing something.

Example: He was barred from entering the competition.

Base

Definition: To use something as a foundation or starting point.

Example: The author bases her argument on recent research.

Bracket

Definition: To group things together or consider them as similar.

Example: These two policies are often bracketed together in public debate.

Benchmark

Definition: To measure something by comparing it with a standard.

Example: Schools are benchmarked against national performance levels.

Action Verbs that Start with B

Physical Action Verbs

These verbs describe physical actions that you can often see.

Verb Meaning Sentence Example
Babble To talk quickly in a silly or unclear way The baby babbled happily.
Back To move backwards or support something She backed away from the spider.
Bake To cook food in an oven I am going to bake a cake for the party.
Balance To keep something steady so it does not fall He balanced the books on his head.
Ban To officially say something is not allowed The school banned cell phones in the classroom.
Bang To hit something loudly or to make a loud noise The door banged shut behind her.
Bark To make a loud sound like a dog The dog barked at the mailman.
Bathe To wash in a bath or water I’m going to bathe the baby.
Battle To fight against someone or something The two armies battled fiercely.
Beam To shine or send out light The sun beamed down on the beach.
Beg To ask strongly or desperately She begged him to forgive her.
Bend To move your body or an object into a curved position He bent down to pick up the pencil.
Bite To use your teeth to cut into something The dog bit the mailman on the ankle.
Blink To quickly open and close your eyes She blinked back tears.
Block To stop something from passing or happening The police blocked the road.
Blush To become red in the face, often from embarrassment She blushed when he complimented her.
Boast To talk proudly about yourself or what you have done He boasted about his accomplishments.
Boil To heat a liquid until it bubbles The water began to boil.
Bomb To attack with bombs The city was bombed during the war.
Book To reserve or arrange (a ticket, room, etc.) I’m going to book a flight to Paris.
Boost To increase or improve something The new product boosted sales.
Bounce To move up and down after hitting a surface The ball bounced back and forth.
Box To put things into a box He boxed up his belongings and moved out.
Brace To prepare yourself for something difficult or unpleasant She braced herself for impact.
Brake To make a vehicle slow down or stop I had to brake suddenly to avoid hitting the car in front of me.
Branch To separate into different parts or directions The road branches off to the left just ahead.
Brand To mark something with a name or symbol The company branded its products with a new logo.
Breathe To take air in and out of your lungs I breathe deeply to calm my nerves.
Brush To clean or arrange something using a brush I need to brush my teeth before bed.
Bubble To form bubbles; to move with a bubbling sound The water bubbled and boiled on the stove.
Build To construct something They are going to build a new library.
Bump To hit or knock into something by accident She bumped into an old friend at the grocery store.
Burn To be on fire or to damage with fire or heat The fire burned brightly in the fireplace.
Burst To break open suddenly The balloon burst with a loud noise.
Bus To travel by bus (informal) I usually bus to work instead of driving.
Buy To get something by paying money I need to buy some groceries for dinner.
Buzz To make a low, continuous humming sound The bees buzzed around the flowers.

Mental & Communication Action Verbs

These verbs describe thinking, feeling, and speaking actions.

Verb Meaning Sentence Example
Believe To think that something is true I believe you are telling the truth.
Blame To say or think that someone is responsible for something bad They blamed the storm for the delay.
Boast To talk proudly about yourself or what you have done He often boasts about his achievements.
Brainstorm To discuss and suggest many ideas Let’s brainstorm ideas for the project.
Brief To give someone important information quickly The coach briefed the players before the game.
Blurt To say something suddenly without thinking She blurted out the secret.
Beg To ask seriously and emotionally He begged her to stay.
Beware To be careful about something dangerous Beware of dogs in this area.
Bet To risk money or say confidently that something will happen I bet he’ll be here any minute now.
Blush To feel shy or embarrassed and turn red She blushed when they praised her work.

Positive Verbs that Start with B

Verbs for Success and Achievement

Use these verbs to talk about progress, growth, and positive results.

Verb Meaning Sentence Example
Believe To have confidence or trust in something I believe in myself.
Boost To increase or improve something The advertisement will boost sales.
Build To create or develop something over time We are building a new house.
Benefit To gain a good result or advantage Exercise benefits your health.
Brighten To make something lighter, happier, or more hopeful A smile can brighten someone’s day.
Brainstorm To generate creative ideas Let’s brainstorm ideas for the project.
Bloom To grow or develop successfully The flowers are starting to bloom.
Beautify To make something more beautiful The flowers will beautify the garden.
Better To improve something We are working to better our services.
Breakthrough To make a sudden important advance The team finally broke through and solved the problem.

Verbs for Feelings and Relationships

These verbs help you talk about emotions, care, and connection.

Verb Meaning Sentence Example
Bless To wish good things or show kind approval May God bless you.
Bond To develop a close relationship Traveling together helped them bond as a team.
Befriend To become a friend to someone He tried to befriend the new student.
Baby To care for someone gently and kindly She loves to baby her little brother.
Back To support someone or something My parents always back my decisions.
Brighten To make someone feel happier His kind words brightened her mood.
Belong To feel accepted and part of a group Everyone wants to belong somewhere.

Important Phrasal Verbs Starting with B

Common Phrasal Verbs with “Break”, “Bring”, and “Back”

Break down

Meaning: To stop working (for machines); to become very upset (for people); to analyze something in detail.

Examples:

  • My car broke down on the way to work.
  • She broke down in tears when she heard the news.

Break up

Meaning: To end a relationship; to separate into smaller pieces.

Examples:

  • They decided to break up after five years together.
  • The teacher broke up the fight quickly.

Bring up

Meaning: To mention a topic; to raise a child.

Examples:

  • She brought up an interesting question in the meeting.
  • He was brought up by his grandparents.

Bring about

Meaning: To cause something to happen.

Examples:

  • The new policy brought about many changes.
  • Technology has brought about faster communication.

Back up

Meaning: To support someone; to make a copy of data.

Examples:

  • Thank you for backing me up during the discussion.
  • Remember to back up your files regularly.

Back out (of)

Meaning: To decide not to do something you had agreed to do.

Examples:

  • He backed out of the deal at the last minute.
  • They promised to help but then backed out.

Comprehensive List of Verbs that Start with B

Here is a more complete list of useful verbs beginning with B. The pronunciation uses simple IPA-style symbols.

Verb Pronunciation Simple Definition
Babble /ˈbæb.əl/ To talk quickly in a silly or unclear way
Back /bæk/ To move backward; to support
Backfire /ˈbæk.faɪər/ To have the opposite result from what was intended
Bail /beɪl/ To remove water; to release someone on bail
Bait /beɪt/ To put food to attract animals; to annoy someone on purpose
Bake /beɪk/ To cook in an oven
Balance /ˈbæl.əns/ To keep something steady or equal
Ban /bæn/ To officially forbid
Bang /bæŋ/ To hit something hard and loudly
Bark /bɑːrk/ To make a dog’s loud sound
Bathe /beɪð/ To wash in a bath or water
Battle /ˈbæt.əl/ To fight against
Be /biː/ To exist; to describe what or how something is
Beach /biːtʃ/ To bring a boat or sea animal onto the shore
Beam /biːm/ To shine or send out light; to smile widely
Bear /ber/ To carry; to accept or endure; to give birth
Beat /biːt/ To hit repeatedly; to defeat
Become /bɪˈkʌm/ To start to be something
Beg /beɡ/ To ask strongly for help or money
Begin /bɪˈɡɪn/ To start
Behave /bɪˈheɪv/ To act in a particular way
Believe /bɪˈliːv/ To accept something as true
Bend /bend/ To curve or move into a curve
Benefit /ˈben.ɪ.fɪt/ To get a good result or advantage
Bet /bet/ To risk money or predict something
Bite /baɪt/ To use your teeth on something
Blame /bleɪm/ To say someone is responsible for a mistake
Blame /bleɪm/ To say someone is responsible for something bad
Blend /blend/ To mix things together
Bless /bles/ To ask for or give special help and protection
Block /blɑːk/ To stop movement or progress
Bloom /bluːm/ To produce flowers; to grow well
Blow /bloʊ/ To move air; to be moved by the wind
Boast /boʊst/ To talk too proudly about yourself
Boil /bɔɪl/ To heat liquid until it bubbles
Borrow /ˈbɔːr.oʊ/ To take and use something that belongs to someone else
Bounce /baʊns/ To move up and down after hitting something
Bow /baʊ/ To bend your body forward to show respect
Bowl /boʊl/ To roll a ball in a game like bowling
Box /bɑːks/ To fight with your fists; to put something in a box
Brace /breɪs/ To prepare for something difficult
Brake /breɪk/ To slow or stop a vehicle
Brand /brænd/ To mark products with a name or symbol
Break /breɪk/ To separate into pieces; to stop working
Breathe /briːð/ To take air in and out of your lungs
Breed /briːd/ To produce young; to cause something to develop
Brief /briːf/ To explain something quickly and clearly
Brighten /ˈbraɪ.tən/ To make something lighter or happier
Bring /brɪŋ/ To take something or someone with you
Broadcast /ˈbrɔːd.kæst/ To send out programs or information
Brush /brʌʃ/ To clean or arrange with a brush
Build /bɪld/ To construct
Bump /bʌmp/ To hit something by accident
Burn /bɜːrn/ To be on fire; to damage by fire
Burst /bɜːrst/ To break open suddenly
Bury /ˈber.i/ To put something in the ground and cover it
Bus /bʌs/ To travel by bus
Bust /bʌst/ To break or damage; informally, to arrest
Buy /baɪ/ To get something by paying money
Buzz /bʌz/ To make a low humming sound
Bypass /ˈbaɪ.pæs/ To go around or avoid something

Confusing B Verbs & Common Mistakes

Borrow vs. Lend

  • Borrow = take something from someone (you will give it back).
    Can I borrow your phone?
  • Lend = give something to someone (they will give it back).
    Can you lend me your phone?

Break vs. Brake

  • Break = to damage or separate into pieces.
    Be careful not to break the glass.
  • Brake = to slow down or stop a vehicle.
    You must brake early in the rain.

Bring vs. Take

  • Bring = move something towards the speaker or a place.
    Please bring your notes to class.
  • Take = move something away to another place.
    Don’t forget to take an umbrella with you.

Be vs. Become

  • Be = talk about a state or identity now or in general.
    She is a doctor.
  • Become = talk about a change.
    She became a doctor after many years of study.

Exercises: Test Your Knowledge on “B” Verbs

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct verb starting with B to complete each sentence: boost, borrow, break, bring, build, believe, buy, bounce, behave, bury.

  1. Please ______ your notebook to class tomorrow.
  2. Don’t run inside; you might ______ that glass.
  3. She wants to ______ a new computer this year.
  4. We need to ______ a stronger relationship with our customers.
  5. Can I ______ your dictionary for a minute?
  6. The ball hit the wall and started to ______.
  7. Children should ______ politely at the dinner table.
  8. Regular practice can ______ your confidence.
  9. It’s hard to ______ everything you hear online.
  10. They decided to ______ the treasure in the garden.

Exercise 2: Match the Definition

Match each verb with the correct meaning.

Verb Definition
A. Break 1. To increase or improve something
B. Boost 2. To take something and return it later
C. Borrow 3. To put something in the ground and cover it
D. Bury 4. To separate something into pieces or make it stop working

Answer Key (Exercise 2): A–4, B–1, C–2, D–3.

Verbs that Start with B | Images

Verbs that Start with B | Image 2

Chart of useful verbs that start with the letter B in EnglishPin

Verbs that Start with B in English – Created by 7ESL

Verbs that Start with B | Image 3

Visual vocabulary poster of English verbs beginning with BPin

English Verbs that Start with B – Created by 7ESL

Related:

Learn more A–Z Verbs

A2 Knowledge Check · 5 questions

Verbs That Start With B: Common, Academic, and Phrasal Verbs (with Exercises) — Practice Quiz

1 / 5
Q1

Question 1: Which of the following verbs means 'to take something that belongs to someone else and promise to give it back'?

Question 1 options
"Borrow" means to take something from someone else with the intention of returning it. "Buy" means to get something by paying money, "bring" means to take something with you to a place, and "build" means to make or construct something.
Q2

Question 2: The verb 'broadcast' means to send out information, news, or programs on television, radio, or the internet.

Question 2 options
This is true. "Broadcast" is defined as sending out information, news, or programs through media such as television, radio, or the internet.
Q3

Question 3: Studying abroad can ___ your perspective on life.

Question 3 options
"Broaden" means to make something wider or to increase the range of something, such as knowledge or perspective. "Budget" means to plan spending, "bar" means to prevent, and "benchmark" means to measure against a standard.
Q4

Question 4: Match each verb with its correct meaning.

Question 4 options
Bake
Ban
Bend
Beg
Cook food in an oven
Move into a curved position
Ask strongly or desperately
Officially say something is not allowed

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

"Bake" means to cook food in an oven. "Ban" means to officially say something is not allowed. "Bend" means to move into a curved position. "Beg" means to ask strongly or desperately.
Q5

Question 5: The new marketing campaign helped ___ sales significantly.

Question 5 options
"Boost" means to increase or improve something, which fits naturally with "sales." "Brief" means to give someone essential information, "bridge" means to connect or reduce a difference, and "bracket" means to group things together.

Quick Feedback

Is this article helpful?

Related posts

Other Students Also Like