This list brings together 100 verbs that start with the letter B, running from “Back” to “Buzz.” Most of these words describe everyday physical actions, like breaking, building, or bending, while others capture emotional states, business terms, or figurative expressions used in casual conversation. You’ll find them useful for writing, speaking, and building a stronger, more precise vocabulary.

Verbs are the words that show action, occurrence, or a state of being in a sentence. English verbs starting with B range from simple, ancient words like “bake” and “bring” to more specialized ones like “boycott,” which grew out of a 19th-century Irish land dispute involving a man named Charles Boycott. Many of them, like “break” and “bear,” carry multiple meanings depending on context.

Below you’ll find the table with each word’s tense forms, definition, example usage, and description.

Word: the verb itself, listed alphabetically, so you can quickly scan the list or jump straight to the one you’re looking for.

Tense Forms (Base, Past, Past Participle): the three main forms you need to conjugate the verb correctly in past and perfect tenses, like “break, broke, broken.”

Definition: a short, clear explanation of what the verb means, helping you understand exactly how and when to use it.

Example Usage: a full sentence showing the verb in a natural, everyday context, so you can see how it fits into real speech or writing.

Description: extra background on the verb’s origin, common expressions, or additional meanings, giving you a fuller picture beyond the basic definition.

Verbs

WordTense Forms (Base, Past, Past Participle)DefinitionExample Usage
Backback, backed, backedTo support or move something backwardShe backed her sister’s decision to quit.
Backfirebackfire, backfired, backfiredTo produce an unintended, unwanted resultHis plan to surprise her backfired badly.
Backtrackbacktrack, backtracked, backtrackedTo retrace one’s steps or reverse a stated positionThe senator backtracked on his earlier promise.
Bailbail, bailed, bailedTo leave suddenly or pay for someone’s release from custodyHe bailed on the meeting at the last minute.
Bakebake, baked, bakedTo cook food using dry heat, usually in an ovenShe baked a loaf of sourdough bread.
Balancebalance, balanced, balancedTo keep something steady or make amounts equalHe balanced the ladder against the wall.
Banban, banned, bannedTo officially forbid somethingThe city banned single-use plastic bags.
Bandband, banded, bandedTo join together into a groupThe neighbors banded together to clean the park.
Bangbang, banged, bangedTo strike or close something with a loud noiseHe banged his fist on the table in frustration.
Banishbanish, banished, banishedTo send someone away as punishment or exclusionThe king banished the traitor from the kingdom.
Barbar, barred, barredTo block or forbid somethingSecurity barred him from entering the building.
Barbecuebarbecue, barbecued, barbecuedTo cook food over an open flame or hot coalsThey barbecued burgers in the backyard all afternoon.
Bargainbargain, bargained, bargainedTo negotiate the terms of a dealThe buyer bargained the price down significantly.
Barkbark, barked, barkedTo make the sharp sound a dog makes, or to speak sharplyThe dog barked at the mail carrier.
Basebase, based, basedTo use something as a foundation or starting pointShe based her argument on solid research.
Bashbash, bashed, bashedTo strike something hard, or to criticize harshlyHe bashed the nail with a hammer.
Batbat, batted, battedTo hit with a bat, or to flutter the eyelashesShe batted the ball into left field.
Bathebathe, bathed, bathedTo wash oneself or something in waterShe bathed the baby in warm water.
Batterbatter, battered, batteredTo hit repeatedly and forcefullyWaves battered the small fishing boat.
Battlebattle, battled, battledTo fight or struggle against somethingDoctors battled to save the patient’s life.
Beambeam, beamed, beamedTo smile radiantly, or to send out light or a signalShe beamed with pride at her son’s graduation.
Bearbear, bore, borne/bornTo carry, endure, or give birth toShe bore the weight of the responsibility alone.
Beatbeat, beat, beatenTo strike repeatedly or defeat someoneOur team beat the reigning champions last night.
Becomebecome, became, becomeTo begin to be somethingShe became a doctor after years of study.
Beckonbeckon, beckoned, beckonedTo signal someone to approachThe old man beckoned the children closer.
Begbeg, begged, beggedTo ask urgently or humbly for somethingHe begged the judge for leniency.
Beginbegin, began, begunTo start somethingThe concert began right on time.
Behavebehave, behaved, behavedTo act in a particular way, often properlyThe children behaved well at the wedding.
Beholdbehold, beheld, beheldTo see or observe something remarkableVisitors beheld the canyon’s breathtaking vastness.
Believebelieve, believed, believedTo accept something as trueScientists believe the theory needs more testing.
Belongbelong, belonged, belongedTo be rightly placed or a member of somethingThis book belongs on the top shelf.
Bendbend, bent, bentTo curve or force something out of a straight shapeShe bent the wire into a small loop.
Benefitbenefit, benefited, benefitedTo gain an advantage from somethingStudents benefited from the new tutoring program.
Betbet, bet, betTo risk money or make a confident claimHe bet fifty dollars on the underdog team.
Betraybetray, betrayed, betrayedTo be disloyal to someone’s trustHe betrayed his best friend’s confidence.
Bewilderbewilder, bewildered, bewilderedTo confuse someone completelyThe complicated instructions bewildered the new employees.
Bickerbicker, bickered, bickeredTo argue over small, unimportant mattersThe siblings bickered over the last slice of pizza.
Bidbid, bid, bidTo offer a price, or to formally say somethingInvestors bid aggressively for the rare painting.
Bindbind, bound, boundTo tie or fasten something securelyWorkers bound the hay into neat bundles.
Bitebite, bit, bittenTo use teeth to cut into somethingThe dog bit the mail carrier’s sleeve.
Blameblame, blamed, blamedTo hold someone responsible for a faultShe blamed the delay on bad weather.
Blastblast, blasted, blastedTo explode or produce a loud noiseWorkers blasted through the rock to build the tunnel.
Blazeblaze, blazed, blazedTo burn brightly or move quickly aheadThe campfire blazed cheerfully in the darkness.
Bleedbleed, bled, bledTo lose blood, or to spread as colors doThe cut on his hand bled for several minutes.
Blendblend, blended, blendedTo mix ingredients or elements smoothly togetherShe blended the fruit into a smooth smoothie.
Blessbless, blessed, blessedTo ask for divine favor or grant happinessThe priest blessed the newlywed couple.
Blindblind, blinded, blindedTo make someone unable to see, literally or figurativelyThe bright headlights blinded the driver momentarily.
Blinkblink, blinked, blinkedTo open and close the eyes quicklyShe blinked in surprise at the unexpected news.
Blockblock, blocked, blockedTo obstruct or prevent something from passingA fallen tree blocked the entire road.
Bloombloom, bloomed, bloomedTo produce flowers or flourishThe cherry trees bloomed early this spring.
Blossomblossom, blossomed, blossomedTo develop and flourish, like a flower openingTheir friendship blossomed into something deeper.
Blowblow, blew, blownTo move air forcefully, or to fail badlyThe wind blew leaves across the yard.
Blurblur, blurred, blurredTo make something unclear or indistinctTears blurred her vision as she read the letter.
Blushblush, blushed, blushedTo turn red in the face from embarrassmentHe blushed when she complimented his singing.
Boastboast, boasted, boastedTo speak with excessive pride about oneselfHe boasted about winning the tournament.
Boilboil, boiled, boiledTo heat a liquid until it bubbles vigorouslyShe boiled the pasta for eight minutes.
Boltbolt, bolted, boltedTo run away suddenly, or to fasten with a boltThe horse bolted at the sound of thunder.
Bombbomb, bombed, bombedTo attack with explosives, or to fail badlyEnemy planes bombed the coastal city.
Bondbond, bonded, bondedTo form a close connection or join firmlyThe two coworkers bonded over their shared hobby.
Bookbook, booked, bookedTo reserve something in advanceThey booked a table for four at the restaurant.
Boostboost, boosted, boostedTo increase or improve somethingThe sale boosted the store’s monthly sales.
Borderborder, bordered, borderedTo form a boundary next to somethingTheir property borders a quiet nature reserve.
Borebore, bored, boredTo make someone feel uninterested, or to drill a holeThe long lecture bored most of the students.
Borrowborrow, borrowed, borrowedTo take something temporarily with the intention of returning itHe borrowed his neighbor’s ladder for the weekend.
Bouncebounce, bounced, bouncedTo spring back after hitting a surfaceThe ball bounced high off the pavement.
Bowbow, bowed, bowedTo bend the body forward as a sign of respectThe performers bowed as the audience applauded.
Boxbox, boxed, boxedTo fight with fists, or to pack into a boxHe boxed professionally for nearly a decade.
Boycottboycott, boycotted, boycottedTo refuse to buy from or participate in something as protestConsumers boycotted the company over unfair labor practices.
Bracebrace, braced, bracedTo prepare for something difficult, or to support physicallyShe braced herself for the bad news.
Bragbrag, bragged, braggedTo boast proudly about one’s achievementsHe bragged about his new sports car.
Braidbraid, braided, braidedTo weave strands togetherShe braided her daughter’s hair before school.
Brainstormbrainstorm, brainstormed, brainstormedTo generate ideas freely in a groupThe team brainstormed names for the new product.
Branchbranch, branched, branchedTo divide into separate parts or directionsThe road branched into two smaller paths.
Brandbrand, branded, brandedTo mark permanently, or to give a product an identityRanchers branded the cattle with a hot iron.
Bravebrave, braved, bravedTo face something dangerous or difficult with courageFirefighters braved the flames to rescue the family.
Breakbreak, broke, brokenTo separate into pieces or fail to workThe vase broke when it fell off the shelf.
Breathebreathe, breathed, breathedTo inhale and exhale airTake a moment to breathe deeply and relax.
Breedbreed, bred, bredTo produce offspring, or to cause something to developFarmers breed cattle for better milk production.
Brewbrew, brewed, brewedTo make a drink by steeping or fermentingShe brewed a fresh pot of coffee.
Bribebribe, bribed, bribedTo offer money or favors to influence someone dishonestlyThe businessman bribed an official to speed up permits.
Bridgebridge, bridged, bridgedTo connect two separate thingsThe new policy bridged the gap between the two departments.
Brightenbrighten, brightened, brightenedTo make or become lighter or more cheerfulThe lamp brightened the whole room instantly.
Bringbring, brought, broughtTo carry something to a place or personPlease bring your ID to the appointment.
Broadcastbroadcast, broadcast, broadcastTo transmit information widely, especially by radio or TVThe station broadcast the game live nationwide.
Browsebrowse, browsed, browsedTo look through something casuallyShe browsed the bookstore shelves for an hour.
Bruisebruise, bruised, bruisedTo cause a discolored mark from an impactHe bruised his shin on the coffee table.
Brushbrush, brushed, brushedTo sweep or clean with a brush, or to touch lightlyShe brushed her teeth before bed.
Bucklebuckle, buckled, buckledTo fasten with a buckle, or to bend under pressureHe buckled his seatbelt before starting the car.
Budgetbudget, budgeted, budgetedTo plan how money will be spentThe family budgeted carefully for their vacation.
Buildbuild, built, builtTo construct something by putting parts togetherWorkers built the new bridge in under a year.
Bullybully, bullied, bulliedTo intimidate or mistreat someone weakerOlder kids bullied him on the playground.
Bumpbump, bumped, bumpedTo knock against something accidentallyShe bumped into an old friend at the market.
Bundlebundle, bundled, bundledTo gather items together into a compact groupShe bundled the newspapers with twine.
Burnburn, burned, burnedTo be consumed or damaged by fire or intense heatThe candle burned steadily through the night.
Burstburst, burst, burstTo break open suddenly and forcefullyThe balloon burst with a loud pop.
Burybury, buried, buriedTo place something in the ground and cover itThey buried the time capsule beneath the oak tree.
Bustbust, busted, bustedTo break something, or to catch someone doing wrongPolice busted the counterfeit ring last week.
Buttonbutton, buttoned, buttonedTo fasten with buttonsHe buttoned his coat against the cold wind.
Buybuy, bought, boughtTo obtain something in exchange for moneyShe bought a new laptop for work.
Buzzbuzz, buzzed, buzzedTo make a low humming soundThe bees buzzed busily around the flower bed.

Descriptions

Back
A flexible verb meaning either to physically move in reverse (back the car up) or to give support to a person, plan, or idea in everyday speech.
Backfire
Originally describing a car engine misfiring, this verb now mostly means a scheme or action goes wrong and hurts the very person who started it.
Backtrack
Used literally for retracing a path (backtrack down the trail) and figuratively when someone reverses an opinion or statement they made earlier.
Bail
Has two common senses: posting bail money to free a defendant, and the informal sense of abandoning a plan or commitment abruptly.
Bake
One of the oldest cooking verbs, describing dry-heat cooking in an oven; also used loosely for anything left to harden or dry in heat, like clay.
Balance
Covers physical stability (balancing on one foot), financial equality (balancing a budget), and figurative equilibrium between competing demands or interests.
Ban
A formal verb for prohibiting an activity, substance, or person, typically by law, rule, or authority, rather than personal preference.
Band
Most often used with “together,” describing people or animals uniting for a shared purpose; also used literally for fastening a band around something.
Bang
A vivid, informal verb for any sudden loud impact, from slamming a door to banging out a rhythm on a drum.
Banish
Historically tied to formal exile from a country or court, now also used loosely for driving away feelings, like banishing doubt or fear.
Bar
Means physically blocking a passage with a bar or obstacle, and by extension, officially preventing someone from doing or accessing something.
Barbecue
A casual outdoor cooking verb tied to grilling meat and vegetables over direct heat, closely associated with social gatherings in warm weather.
Bargain
Describes back-and-forth negotiation over price or terms, whether haggling at a market stall or negotiating a business contract.
Bark
Literally the sound dogs make, but also used for a person snapping out an order or command in a short, harsh tone.
Base
Almost always used with “on,” meaning to ground a decision, story, or design in a particular source, fact, or location.
Bash
An informal word for a forceful physical blow, and equally common in speech for verbally attacking or criticizing someone or something.
Bat
Common in sports for hitting a ball, but also used idiomatically, as in “bat an eye” or “bat around an idea” during a discussion.
Bathe
Describes washing the body or an object in water, and is also used poetically for light or warmth, as in a room bathed in sunlight.
Batter
Suggests repeated, damaging blows, whether from weather, physical assault, or difficult circumstances that wear something down over time.
Battle
Used for literal armed conflict and, more commonly today, for any determined struggle against illness, adversity, or a difficult opponent.
Beam
Captures a bright, wide smile full of joy, and also describes light radiating outward or a signal being transmitted, like beaming a message.
Bear
A versatile verb for carrying a load, enduring hardship, or producing offspring or fruit; “born” is used specifically for birth.
Beat
Covers physical striking, a regular rhythm like a heartbeat, and competitive victory, making it one of the most widely used B-verbs in English.
Become
Marks a transformation or change of state over time, whether a career shift, emotional change, or gradual physical development.
Beckon
A quiet, inviting gesture verb, usually with a hand or nod, though it’s also used figuratively when opportunity or adventure “beckons.”
Beg
Implies a strong, often desperate request, whether asking for money, forgiveness, or a favor, with more urgency than a simple ask.
Begin
One of the most fundamental verbs in English, marking the starting point of any action, process, or period of time.
Behave
Describes conduct or manners, frequently used as a gentle instruction to act appropriately, especially with children or pets.
Behold
A formal, almost literary verb for seeing something impressive, often used in older or ceremonial writing rather than casual conversation.
Believe
One of the most common verbs in English, expressing trust in a fact, a person’s honesty, or a religious or personal conviction.
Belong
Describes ownership, proper placement, or membership in a group, and carries emotional weight when used for feeling accepted somewhere.
Bend
Applies to physical objects like metal or a body joint, and figuratively to rules or plans that flex under pressure.
Benefit
A neutral, common verb for receiving a positive outcome, gain, or advantage, often used in academic and business contexts.
Bet
Rooted in gambling, where money is staked on an outcome, but also used casually to express strong personal confidence, as in “I bet it rains.”
Betray
A heavy, emotionally charged verb for breaking trust or loyalty, whether through a personal betrayal or revealing a secret.
Bewilder
Describes a deep, often overwhelming sense of confusion, stronger than simply being puzzled or unsure.
Bicker
Suggests petty, repeated squabbling rather than a serious conflict, often between people who are otherwise close.
Bid
Common in auctions and business contracts for offering a price, and in a more old-fashioned sense for saying farewell or extending a greeting.
Bind
Applies to physically tying things together, legally obligating someone through a contract, and forming close personal connections between people.
Bite
A basic physical verb for using teeth, also used figuratively for cold weather, sarcasm, or a plan that “bites back” unexpectedly.
Blame
Assigns responsibility for a mistake or problem, frequently used defensively when people try to shift fault away from themselves.
Blast
Describes explosive force in construction or demolition, and casually refers to loud music or strong criticism, as in “blasting” someone’s decision.
Blaze
Evokes vivid, intense fire or light, and is also used for someone “blazing a trail,” meaning to pioneer a new path.
Bleed
Primarily describes blood loss from an injury, but also applies to ink or dye spreading beyond its edges, or funds steadily draining away.
Blend
Common in cooking for combining ingredients, and equally useful for describing colors, sounds, or cultures merging seamlessly together.
Bless
Rooted in religious ceremony, asking for protection or favor, though it’s also used casually to express gratitude, as in feeling “blessed” with good fortune.
Blind
Describes losing sight due to injury or intense light, and figuratively when strong emotion, like anger or love, clouds someone’s judgment.
Blink
A quick, involuntary eye movement, also used figuratively for hesitating or backing down first in a tense standoff.
Block
Broadly useful for physically obstructing a path, digitally blocking a contact online, or procedurally blocking a bill or plan.
Bloom
Literally describes flowers opening, and figuratively a person, talent, or relationship developing and thriving over time.
Blossom
Very close to “bloom,” but leans more heavily toward the figurative sense of gradual, positive growth in people or situations.
Blow
Covers moving air (wind or breath), operating instruments like a whistle, and informally, badly ruining an opportunity, as in “blowing” a chance.
Blur
Describes visual fuzziness, whether from motion, moisture, or poor focus, and figuratively when lines between categories become hard to distinguish.
Blush
A specific, involuntary physical reaction tied closely to embarrassment, shyness, or flattery, almost always describing the face reddening.
Boast
Often carries a mildly negative tone, implying someone is bragging more than the situation warrants, though it can be neutral for impressive features, as in a hotel that “boasts” a rooftop pool.
Boil
A precise cooking term for water or liquid reaching its boiling point, and figuratively for anger or tension “boiling” over.
Bolt
Combines the idea of sudden, fast flight with the mechanical sense of securing something in place with a metal bolt.
Bomb
Has a serious military meaning involving explosive attack, alongside a casual, unrelated slang sense of a performance or attempt failing spectacularly.
Bond
Describes emotional closeness between people, or a physical or chemical connection between materials, both implying a strong, lasting link.
Book
A practical everyday verb for reserving travel, dining, or appointments ahead of time, also used informally in law enforcement for formally charging someone.
Boost
A positive, energetic verb for raising levels, morale, or performance, widely used in business, sports, and everyday encouragement.
Border
Describes physical adjacency between places, and figuratively when a feeling or behavior comes close to another, as in “bordering on obsession.”
Bore
Two distinct meanings: causing dullness or fatigue in a listener, and mechanically drilling a hole through a hard material.
Borrow
Applies to physical items, money, and even ideas or words taken from another language or source, always implying eventual return or repayment.
Bounce
Describes rebounding motion, and informally, a check that fails due to insufficient funds, or a person quickly moving between places or moods.
Bow
A gesture of respect, submission, or gratitude, common in theater, formal greetings, and traditional customs around the world.
Box
Refers to the combat sport of boxing, and separately, the everyday task of packing items into a container for storage or shipping.
Boycott
A deliberate, organized refusal to support a business, event, or country, usually as a form of political or ethical protest.
Brace
Combines physically reinforcing a structure with mentally preparing for an unpleasant or challenging event about to happen.
Brag
Informal and often mildly irritating in tone, describing someone talking up their own accomplishments or possessions a little too much.
Braid
A precise, hands-on verb for interlacing three or more strands, most commonly used for hair, rope, or fabric.
Brainstorm
A collaborative, creative process of generating many ideas quickly without judgment, common in workplaces, classrooms, and creative projects.
Branch
Describes literal splitting, like a tree limb or road, and figuratively a business or career “branching out” into new areas.
Brand
Historically about burning a permanent mark into livestock, it now also means shaping the public identity and reputation of a company or product.
Brave
Emphasizes courage in the face of real danger or hardship, whether physical peril or a daunting personal challenge.
Break
One of English’s most flexible verbs, covering physical damage, failing machinery, ending a habit, and even setting a new record.
Breathe
A basic biological function verb, also used figuratively for giving new life or energy to something, as in “breathing” life into a project.
Breed
Applies to animals reproducing under human management, and figuratively to conditions that “breed” outcomes, like poverty breeding crime.
Brew
Describes making coffee, tea, or beer through steeping or fermentation, and figuratively when trouble or a storm is “brewing” nearby.
Bribe
Always carries a negative, corrupt connotation, describing an illegal or unethical payment made to gain unfair advantage or influence.
Bridge
Literally building a structure across a gap, and figuratively closing a divide between ideas, generations, or groups of people.
Brighten
Applies to increasing physical light and, just as commonly, to improving someone’s mood, as in a smile that brightens a room.
Bring
An essential everyday verb describing the transport of an object or person toward a specific destination, closely tied to “take” but opposite in direction.
Broadcast
Originally an agricultural term for scattering seed widely, it now mainly refers to transmitting audio, video, or information to a large audience.
Browse
Describes casual, unhurried looking, whether flipping through a store’s shelves or scrolling through websites on the internet.
Bruise
Describes the mark left on skin or fruit after a blow, and figuratively, a bruised ego after an embarrassing setback.
Brush
Covers grooming tasks like brushing hair or teeth, and the lighter sense of something briefly touching another, as in “brushing” past someone.
Buckle
Means securing a strap with a buckle, and separately, a structure or person “buckling” under weight, stress, or pressure.
Budget
A financial planning verb describing the careful allocation of limited money, time, or resources toward specific goals or expenses.
Build
A foundational verb for physical construction, and equally common for gradually developing something abstract, like building trust or a career.
Bully
Describes repeated, deliberate intimidation or mistreatment of someone perceived as more vulnerable, a term now widely used for both childhood and workplace settings.
Bump
A light collision verb, often accidental, used for physical contact and figuratively for unexpectedly encountering someone or something.
Bundle
Describes grouping loose items together, whether physical objects tied together or products and services packaged together for sale.
Burn
Covers combustion, sunburn, and calories burned during exercise, along with figurative uses like anger “burning” inside someone.
Burst
Describes a sudden, often explosive rupture, and figuratively an emotion, like laughter or anger, erupting all at once.
Bury
Most associated with burial of the dead, but also used for hiding objects underground and figuratively “burying” oneself in work or worry.
Bust
An informal verb meaning to break or damage something, and separately, to catch or arrest someone engaged in illegal activity.
Button
A simple, precise verb for closing clothing using buttons, also used idiomatically as “button up” meaning to finish or secure something.
Buy
One of the most fundamental commerce verbs in English, describing any purchase, and informally, believing or accepting an idea, as in “I don’t buy that excuse.”
Buzz
Describes the humming sound insects and electronics make, and figuratively, a place or crowd “buzzing” with excitement or activity.
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