YouTube Channel Source: The Bucket List Family

Learn the words and expressions used in this Real-Life English video.

WORDS / EXPRESSIONS + [Timestamp]

1. Polar plunge [00:05]

2. Iceberg [00:17]

3. Disclaimer [00:29]

4. Viewer discretion is advised [00:32]

5. Continent [00:46]

6. Spring semester [01:45]

7. Wildlife [03:32]

8. Cloud gazing [03:45]

9. Glaciers [04:04]

10. Naturalists [04:21]

11. Sums up [04:34]

12. Expedition [08:34]

13. Cruise [08:36]

14. Racist [16:56]

15. Bundled up [21:29]

16. Cabbing [23:13]

17. Ginormous [25:56]

18. Lurking [26:28]

19. Gnarly [26:48]

20. Whipping it around [28:24]

21. Circle of life [28:42]

22. Raft [33:01]

23. Predominantly [34:39]

24. Diatoms [35:01]

25. On the slim chance [44:08]

DEFINITIONS & SENTENCES

1. Polar plunge

Definition: It is an event where participants enter a body of water despite the very low temperatures, typically in winter, often for charity or as a challenge.

Example Sentences:

• Every New Year’s Day, daring individuals take a polar plunge into the icy lake as a bracing start to the year.
• The polar plunge event raised significant funds for local wildlife charities, with hundreds of participants braving the freezing waters.
• Before taking a polar plunge, it’s important to make sure you’re in good health and understand the risks associated with cold-water immersion.

2. Iceberg

Definition: A large mass of ice that has broken off from a glacier or ice shelf and is floating in open water.

Example Sentences:

• The Titanic tragically hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage, leading to the historical disaster.
• As we sailed through the Arctic, we marveled at the size and shapes of the icebergs surrounding us.
• Climate change is causing icebergs to break off from the polar ice caps more frequently than before.

3. Disclaimer

Definition: A statement that denies responsibility intended to prevent civil liability arising for particular acts or omissions.

Example Sentences:

• At the start of the instruction manual, there was a disclaimer warning against improper use of the equipment.
• The documentary began with a disclaimer about the disturbing content, allowing viewers to make an informed decision about watching.
• The lawyer insisted on including a disclaimer to protect the company from potential legal issues.

4. Viewer discretion is advised

Definition: This phrase is a warning message that appears before television shows, movies, or other broadcasts, indicating that the content may be inappropriate or disturbing for some audiences and that viewer judgment is necessary.

Example Sentences:

• Before the gruesome crime scene was shown on the news report, the anchor stated, “Viewer discretion is advised.”
• The movie channel often displays the message “Viewer discretion is advised” before airing films with explicit content.
• As a parent, I appreciate when shows include a “viewer discretion is advised” notice to alert me about potentially unsuitable content for children.

5. Continent

Definition: One of the Earth’s main large landmasses, of which there are generally recognized to be seven.

Example Sentences:

• Africa is the second-largest continent in the world and has a wide diversity of cultures and ecosystems.
• She set a goal to visit all seven continents before turning forty.
• Antarctica is the least populated continent, primarily covered in ice.

6. Spring semester

Definition: The portion of the academic year that typically starts in January or February and ends in May or June, primarily in institutions that have their academic years divided into two semesters.

Example Sentences:

• Students are registering for courses for the upcoming spring semester, hoping to get into their preferred classes.
• The college is introducing new workshops on environmental sustainability for the spring semester.
• After a restful winter break, I am excited to start classes again in the spring semester.

7. Wildlife

Definition: It refers to undomesticated animals living in their natural habitats, which can include forests, deserts, grasslands, and aquatic environments.

Example Sentences:

• The national park is known for its rich wildlife, including bears, wolves, and eagles.
• Protecting wildlife habitats is crucial to preserving biodiversity.
• On our safari, we observed an array of wildlife in their natural surroundings, from lions to giraffes.

8. Cloud gazing

Definition: The act of looking at and enjoying the shapes and patterns of clouds in the sky, often finding images or significance in their formations.

Example Sentences:

• We spent the afternoon cloud gazing, imagining all sorts of creatures in the sky’s fluffy formations.
• Cloud gazing can be a relaxing activity to help clear one’s mind and ignite creativity.
• Children and adults alike can enjoy cloud gazing, as it requires nothing more than a clear day and a bit of imagination.

9. Glaciers

Definition: Are large masses of dense ice and accumulated snow that form over many years and move slowly over land or down mountains due to their own weight.

Example Sentences:

• Scientists study glaciers to understand climate change as they are critical indicators of global warming.
• Glaciers serve as fresh water reservoirs, gradually releasing water during warmer months.
• The hikers were awestruck by the majestic sight of the glaciers they encountered on their mountain trek.

10. Naturalists

Definition: Individuals who study or have a profound interest in nature and wildlife, often by observing living plants and animals in their natural habitats.

Example Sentences:

• Charles Darwin is one of the most well-known naturalists, famous for his work on the theory of evolution.
• As a naturalist, she conducts field studies to document the behavior of native bird species.
• Many naturalists keep detailed journals of their observations, noting the variety of species they encounter on their excursions.

11. Sums up

Definition: It means to summarize or give a brief statement of the main points of something.

Example Sentences:

• After the lecture, the teacher sums up the key points on the whiteboard.
• He sums up his argument with a few concise sentences.
• The meeting ended as the director sums up the day’s discussions.

12. Expedition

Definition: A journey undertaken for a specific purpose, often involving exploration or research.

Example Sentences:

• The team went on an expedition to the Antarctic to study climate change.
• Her dream was to lead an expedition into the Amazon jungle.
• The museum sponsored an archaeological expedition to unearth ancient ruins.

13. Cruise

Definition: A journey by sea, visiting different places, especially for pleasure, or the act of sailing about leisurely.

Example Sentences:

• They went on a Caribbean cruise for their honeymoon.
• During summer, many families opt for a cruise to explore multiple destinations at ease.
• He loves to relax by going on a river cruise.

14. Racist

Definition: Someone who believes that some races are inherently superior to others and thus discriminates against certain races.

Example Sentences:

• The politician’s speech was condemned for its racist overtones.
• Educational programs aim to combat racist attitudes in society.
• He apologized for his racist comments after they were publicly criticized.

15. Bundled up

Definition: To dress warmly or to wrap something up tightly in warm clothes.

Example Sentences:

• We bundled up in our warmest coats to face the winter storm.
• She bundled up the baby before taking him out for a walk.
• Even bundled up, the cold wind made him shiver.

16. Cabbing

Definition: Typically refers to the act of taking a cab (taxi) as a mode of transportation.

Example Sentences:

• After the concert, we ended up cabbing it home because the subway was closed.
• She prefers cabbing to work instead of driving in rush hour traffic.
• They spent a lot of money on cabbing around the city during their vacation.

17. Ginormous

Definition: An informal term meaning extremely large or enormous.

Example Sentences:

• The kids’ eyes widened at the ginormous ice cream sundae placed before them.
• They moved into a ginormous house with more rooms than they knew what to do with.
• The movie screen was absolutely ginormous, filling their entire field of vision.

18. Lurking

Definition: To lie in wait in a place of concealment, especially for an evil purpose, or to move furtively or inconspicuously.

Example Sentences:

• I got the sense that danger was lurking around the corner.
• Though he didn’t participate, he spent the evening lurking in the chat room, reading everyone else’s messages.
• She had a feeling someone was lurking outside her window, so she called the police.

19. Gnarly

Definition: Originally used to describe something with many knots and bumpy areas on its surface, like a tree or wood. In surfing slang, it describes waves that are very challenging and rough. The term has evolved in colloquial speech to denote something awesome, intense, formidable, complex, or extreme.

Example Sentences:

• The skateboarder performed a gnarly trick on the half-pipe that wowed the entire park.
• We tried to hike to the summit, but the trail was too gnarly and we had to turn back.
• He showed me a gnarly scar from his surgery, which had healed but still looked pretty intense.

20. Whipping it around

Definition: This phrase can imply moving something quickly and sharply around.

Example Sentences:

• He was whipping his car around the track at incredible speeds.
• She was in the kitchen, whipping her cooking utensils around as she prepared dinner.
• The wind was whipping the tree branches around violently during the storm.

21. Circle of Life

Definition: It refers to the natural cycle of birth, growth, decay, and death that all living things undergo, emphasizing the natural progression and interconnectedness of life.

Example Sentences:

• The documentary highlighted the circle of life on the African savanna, from the smallest insect to the largest elephant.
• Watching the seedlings grow into plants and then wither in the winter reminded him of the circle of life.
• The circle of life means that sometimes we must experience loss for new things to take their place.

22. Raft

Definition: A flat structure made of buoyant materials or assembled planks, typically used as a boat or floating platform. It can also be used as a verb to mean traveling by raft.

Example Sentences:

• Survivors from the shipwreck clung to a small raft until rescuers arrived.
• They constructed a raft out of logs and used it to cross the river.
• Every summer, they would go rafting down the gentle rapids of the mountain stream.

23. Predominantly

Definition: It means for the most part; mainly or mostly.

Example Sentences:

• The company’s workforce is predominantly made up of local employees.
• The neighborhood was predominantly residential, with just a few small shops scattered around.
• In this region, the landscape is predominantly desert with sparse vegetation.

24. Diatoms

Definition: Are a major group of microalgae, and one of the most common types of phytoplankton found in the oceans, waterways, and soils of the world, having unique cell walls made of silica.

Example Sentences:

• Diatoms are an essential part of the marine food chain, providing sustenance for various aquatic organisms.
• Under a microscope, the intricate designs of diatom cell walls become beautifully apparent.
• Researchers study fossilized diatoms to reconstruct historical climate conditions.

25. On the slim chance

Definition: It refers to something having a very low probability or likelihood of happening.

Example Sentences:

• On the slim chance that we win the lottery, we have already planned our dream vacation.
• She carried an umbrella on the slim chance that it would rain, despite the sunny forecast.
• He knew it was a long shot, but on the slim chance of finding a rare first edition, he visited every vintage bookstore in town.