Learning English vocabulary becomes much easier when words are organised into patterns. One of the most effective methods used in phonics-based instruction is grouping words by their initial consonant blend. ‘BL’ words, words that begin with the consonant blend ‘BL’, are among the first blends introduced to young learners. From everyday words like ‘black’, ‘blue’, and ‘blanket’ to more advanced vocabulary like ‘bludgeon’, ‘blasphemy’, and ‘bloodstream’, the ‘BL’ blend appears in a vast and important set of English words. In this guide, you will learn a ‘BL’ words list, ‘BL’ blend words with meanings and sentences, a phonics and pronunciation guide, and exercises.
Table of Contents
What Are BL Words?
‘BL’ words are English words that begin with the consonant blend ‘bl’. A consonant blend is a combination of two or more consonants pronounced together, where each sound is heard. In the ‘bl’ blend, both the /b/ sound and the /l/ sound are produced.
Key Facts About BL Words
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The ‘bl’ is an initial consonant blend, meaning it appears at the beginning of a word.
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Both consonant sounds, /b/ and /l/, are clearly heard when pronounced correctly.
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‘BL’ words belong to the broader category of 'L' blends, which also includes ‘cl’, ‘fl’, ‘gl’, ‘pl’, and ‘sl’.
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‘BL’ words appear frequently in everyday English speech, reading, and writing.
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Understanding ‘bl’ words builds your ability to decode unfamiliar words, improve spelling accuracy, and develop reading fluency.
BL Words List
A 'BL' words list includes English words that begin with the consonant blend ‘bl’, where both the /b/ and /l/ sounds are heard together. Learning 'BL' words helps improve phonics skills, vocabulary, spelling, pronunciation, and reading fluency for learners of all ages.
BL Words List by Word Length
Here is a list of ‘BL’ words grouped by word length.
3 and 4-Letter BL Words
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Word
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Meaning
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blab
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To talk too much or reveal secrets
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blip
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A short sound or a minor problem
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blob
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A drop or shapeless lump
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blow
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To move air or wind
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blue
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A colour like the sky
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blur
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Something unclear or out of focus
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blot
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A stain or spot
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blah
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Expressing boredom or dullness
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5-Letter BL Words
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Word
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Meaning
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black
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The darkest colour
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blade
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The flat cutting edge of a knife or tool
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blank
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Empty, with nothing written
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blaze
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A large, bright fire
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blink
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To close and open eyes quickly
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block
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A solid object, or to obstruct
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blush
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To turn pink in the face
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blend
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To mix together smoothly
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blunt
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Not sharp; or speaking directly
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blurb
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A short promotional description
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6 Letters and Above
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Word
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Meaning
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blazer
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A type of jacket
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blanket
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A warm covering used on beds
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blossom
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To produce flowers or to grow and develop in a healthy, positive way
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blender
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A kitchen machine for mixing food
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blister
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A painful fluid-filled bubble on skin
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blunder
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A careless or embarrassing mistake
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blatant
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Done openly and obviously
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blackout
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A loss of electrical power or consciousness
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blockade
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A barrier to prevent movement
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blizzard
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A severe snowstorm
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blueprint
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A detailed plan or technical drawing
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blindfold
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A piece of cloth tied over the eyes
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blackmail
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Demanding money using threats
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bloodstream
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The flow of blood through the body
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blockbuster
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A very popular film or book
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blabbermouth
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A person who talks too much and shares secrets
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Common BL Blend Words
‘BL’ blend words are widely used in everyday English. The list below is categorised to make learning easier and more meaningful.
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Words
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Meaning
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Colours and Appearance
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Blue
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The colour of the sky
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Black
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The darkest colour
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Blonde
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A light yellow hair colour
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Bleach
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To make something white or lighter by removing colour
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Nature and Weather
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Blossom
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Flowers on trees
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Blizzard
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A heavy snowstorm
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Blaze
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A large fire
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Actions and Movements
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Blink
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To close and open eyes
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Blend
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To mix smoothly
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Blow
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To push air
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Bleed
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To lose blood
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Bloat
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To swell up
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Blurt
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To say something suddenly
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Objects and Things
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Blanket
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A warm bed covering
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Block
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A solid object
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Blender
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A kitchen appliance
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Blueprint
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A plan or design
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Emotions and Body Language
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Blush
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To turn pink with embarrassment
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Bliss
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Perfect happiness
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Bleary
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Tired-looking eyes
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Blithe
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Carefree and cheerful
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Learn more: "Consonant Words in English: Definition, Examples, Lists & Consonant Blends"
BL Words with Meanings and Sentences
Understanding ‘bl’ words in context helps you use them correctly in speech and writing. Below are ‘BL’ words with meanings and sentences arranged from beginner to advanced levels.
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Word
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Meaning
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Example Sentence
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blue
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The colour of the sky
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The sky is a beautiful blue today.
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black
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The darkest colour
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The cat has a black coat.
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blink
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To shut and open eyes quickly
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She did not blink during the staring contest.
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block
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A solid object to stop something
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He placed a wooden block on the table.
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blank
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Empty, with nothing on it
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Fill in the blank space with your answer.
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blow
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To push air out
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Please blow out the candles on the cake.
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blur
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Unclear or out of focus
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The photo was a blur because she moved.
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blot
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A stain or spot
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There was an ink blot on the paper.
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blade
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The sharp edge of a tool
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The blade of the knife was very sharp.
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blame
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To hold someone responsible
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Do not blame others for your own mistakes.
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blaze
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A strong, bright fire
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Firefighters rushed to stop the blaze.
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blend
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To mix together
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Blend the fruits to make a fresh smoothie.
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bless
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To wish good things upon someone
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May God bless you with happiness and success.
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bliss
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Complete happiness
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Sitting by the beach was absolute bliss.
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bleak
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Cold, empty, or without hope
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The weather looked very bleak that morning.
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blunt
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Not sharp; very direct
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He gave a blunt reply without being rude.
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blush
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To turn pink from embarrassment
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She started to blush when everyone clapped for her.
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bloat
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To swell up with gas or liquid
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Eating too fast can cause your stomach to bloat.
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blatant
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Done in an obvious and shameless way
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It was a blatant act of dishonesty.
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blunder
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A careless and embarrassing mistake
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The minister made a serious blunder during his speech.
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blizzard
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A severe snowstorm with strong winds
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The city was shut down due to a blizzard.
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bludgeon
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To hit repeatedly with a heavy object
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The heavy tool was used to bludgeon the wooden gate.
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blasphemy
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Speaking disrespectfully about religion
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The statement was considered blasphemy by some people.
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blackmail
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Forcing someone to act using threats
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The villain tried to blackmail the businessman.
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blueprint
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A detailed plan or design
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The architect shared the blueprint of the new building.
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blindfold
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A covering tied over the eyes
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She wore a blindfold during the surprise game.
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bloodstream
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The circulation of blood in the body
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The medicine was absorbed into the bloodstream quickly.
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blockbuster
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A highly successful film or product
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The new superhero film was a blockbuster hit.
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Phonics and Pronunciation Guide for BL Words
How to Pronounce the BL Sound
The ‘bl’ sound is a consonant blend, which means it combines two distinct sounds, /b/ and /l/ pronounced together without a pause. Here is a simple pronunciation guide:
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Start with /b/: Press your lips together gently and release a small puff of air. This creates the ‘b’ sound.
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Slide immediately to /l/: Lift the tip of your tongue to the ridge just behind your upper front teeth and let air flow smoothly. This produces the ‘l’ sound.
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Join them together: Practice going from /b/ to /l/ without stopping: bl...bl...bl...
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Add a vowel: Now try ‘bla’ (as in black), ‘ble’ (as in blend), ‘bli’ (as in blink), ‘blo’ (as in block), and ‘blu’ (as in blue).
Common Pronunciation Mistakes to Avoid
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Do not insert a vowel sound between b and l. ‘Buh-lack’ is incorrect; it should be 'black'.
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Do not drop the /l/ sound and say just /b/. Both sounds must be present.
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Practice in front of a mirror to check that your lips and tongue move correctly.
BL Words Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank
Complete the sentences by filling in the correct ‘bl’ word.
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The sky is ________ on a clear day.
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She pulled a warm ________ over herself.
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He pressed the button, and the machine started to ________.
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The firefighters put out the ________ quickly.
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She started to ________ when everyone looked at her.
Answers:
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Blue
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Blanket
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Blend
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Blaze
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Blush
Exercise 2: Word Sort
Sort the following ‘bl’ words into the correct category:
Words: blade, bliss, blizzard, blackboard, bleat, blossom, blunder, blast, blind, blur
Answers:
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Nature
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Actions
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Feelings
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Objects
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Blizzard
Blur
Blunder
Blossom
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Blast
Bleat
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Bliss
Blind
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Blackboard
Blade
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Exercise 3: Match the Word to Its Meaning
Draw a line connecting each ‘bl’ word to its correct meaning.
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‘Bl’ Words
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Meaning
|
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blank
|
Out of focus or unclear
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Blunder
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A large, fierce fire
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Bliss
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Empty, nothing on it
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Blaze
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Complete happiness
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Blur
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A careless mistake
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Answer:
|
BL Word
|
Meaning
|
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Blank
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Empty; nothing on it
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Blunder
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A careless mistake
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Bliss
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Complete happiness
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Blaze
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A large, fierce fire
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Blur
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Out of focus or unclear
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Exercise 4: Alphabetical Order
Arrange the following ‘bl’ words in alphabetical order:
blush, black, blaze, blink, bland, bleed, blur, bless
Answer: black, bland, blaze, bleed, bless, blink, blur, blush