bare
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.not covered by clothes or anything else.
adj.lacking a natural, customary, or appropriate covering; naked or exposed.
Simple“He walked across the cold floor with bare feet.”
In context“The hikers were warned that leaving bare skin exposed to the mountain sun would result in severe burns within minutes.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.empty or without any decoration or furniture.
adj.devoid of furniture, equipment, or decoration; containing only the most basic requirements.
Simple“The walls of the new apartment were completely bare.”
In context“The minimalist design left the room feeling somewhat bare, with only a single wooden chair breaking the expanse of the white floor.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
adj.the smallest amount that is possible or necessary.
adj.amounting to no more than what is specified or absolutely necessary.
Simple“He survived on the bare minimum of food for three days.”
In context“The report provided only the bare facts of the incident, omitting the emotional context that the witnesses had described.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
adj.a lot of something.
adj.functioning as a quantifier meaning many or much; characteristic of Multicultural London English.
Simple“There were bare people at the party last night.”
In context“He claimed he had bare money in his account, though his friends were skeptical of his sudden wealth.”
Teacher's tipThis usage is specific to young speakers in urban UK areas; it sounds out of place when used by older learners or in formal writing.
- 05 C1 Advanced
v.to uncover something so that it can be seen.
v.to uncover or reveal something to view; often used of teeth or secrets.
Simple“The dog bared its teeth and started to growl.”
In context“In a moment of rare honesty, the politician bared his soul to the interviewer, admitting his past failures.”
- 06 C1 Advanced
- 07 C2 Proficiency
n.the part of a roof tile that you can see.
n.the portion of a roofing slate, shingle, or tile that is exposed to the weather.
Simple“The builder measured the bare of the slate to ensure it was waterproof.”
In context“Properly calculating the bare is essential for ensuring that the roof remains watertight during heavy rainstorms.”
Usage bare hands
“The study found that compared with healthy forests, dieback-infected areas had 46% less low shrub cover, 45% fewer habitable grasstrees and 40% more bare ground.”
“He’s on the verge of tumbling and collapsing into a messy pile, as is the skeletal figure behind him, all bared teeth and lumpen features.”