YouTube Channel Source: Never Too Small

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

WORDS / EXPRESSIONS + [Timestamp]

1. Pinnacle [00:09]

2. Coziness [00:12]

3. Inventor [00:32]

4. Product designer [00:32]

5. Renovated [01:46]

6. Parameters [01:58]

7. Bigatures [03:29]

8. Snaking it up [04:28]

9. Medieval [04:38]

10. Loft [05:05]

11. Muralist [05:36]

12. Ambitious [05:58]

13. Courtyard [06:17]

14. Edge case [07:55]

15. Exception [07:57]

16. Sagging [09:40]

17. Crates [09:53]

18. Custodian [10:39]

19. Askew [11:10]

20. Crammed [12:27]

21. Casters [12:37]

22. Inlaid [13:16]

23. Petitioning [13:37]

24. Prototype [13:49]

25. Streak [14:16]

DEFINITIONS & SENTENCES

1. Pinnacle

Definition: The highest or most successful point; the peak.

Example Sentences:

• She reached the pinnacle of her career when she became the CEO.
• The mountaineer’s dream was to stand at the pinnacle of Mount Everest.
• The novel was considered the pinnacle of 20th-century literature.

2. Coziness

Definition: The quality of being comfortable, warm, and relaxing.

Example Sentences:

• The coziness of the cabin made the snowy day much more enjoyable.
• She wrapped herself in a blanket to enjoy the coziness of the fireplace.
• The small café offered a feeling of coziness with its soft music and dim lighting.

3. Inventor

Definition: A person who creates something for the first time through the use of imagination or ingenious thinking and experiment.

Example Sentences:

• Thomas Edison was an inventor known for developing the light bulb.
• The young inventor showcased her new device at the science fair.
• He fancied himself an inventor, always tinkering in the garage on weekends.

4. Product Designer

Definition: A professional who designs items to be manufactured, focusing on the functionality, appearance, and usability of the product.

Example Sentences:

• The product designer spent months refining the chair’s design for maximum comfort.
• She worked as a product designer, often brainstorming ideas for new tech gadgets.
• Feedback from users was crucial to the product designer when revamping the software interface.

5. Renovated

Definition: Improved by renewing and restoring, often related to structures, buildings, or interiors.

Example Sentences:

• The renovated apartment featured modern appliances and sleek design.
• They renovated the old hotel, preserving its historical charm while adding contemporary amenities.
• After being renovated, the library reopened with a new children’s section.

6. Parameters

Definition: Limits or boundaries that define the scope of a particular process or activity.

Example Sentences:

• The research was conducted within the parameters set by the funding body.
• He set strict parameters for the project to ensure it remained focused.
• The parameters of the debate were agreed upon by both parties beforehand.

7. Bigatures

Definition: Originated from the special effects industry, particularly used in film making to describe large-scale miniature models.

Example Sentences:

• The film featured impressive bigatures of skyscrapers for its dramatic cityscape scenes.
• They constructed bigatures to realistically portray the ancient city in the historical epic.
• Bigatures were extensively used in making of the battle sequences appear life-sized on screen.

8. Snaking it up

Definition: It means moving in a sneaky, winding, or indirect manner, or intensifying efforts subtly or strategically.

Example Sentences:

• He was snaking it up through the crowd, trying not to be noticed.
• The team decided to snake it up by gradually implementing changes without drawing attention.
• Despite the direct path available, she enjoyed snaking it up through the garden paths.

9. Medieval

Definition: Relating to the Middle Ages, a period in European history from the 5th to the late 15th century.

Example Sentences:

• The castle is a great example of medieval architecture.
• They attended a medieval fair complete with jousting and minstrels.
• His thesis explored the influence of medieval literature on modern fantasy genres.

10. Loft

Definition: A room or space directly under the roof of a house or other building, which can be used for accommodation or storage. Also, in modern usage, a loft is a large, adaptable open space, often converted for residential use from a commercial building or warehouse.

Example Sentences:

• They converted the loft into a spacious bedroom with great views.
• The artist rented a loft downtown to use as a studio.
• Lofts are popular because of their high ceilings and industrial feel.

11. Muralist

Definition: An artist who paints murals, which are large artworks painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling, or other permanent surfaces.

Example Sentences:

• The muralist spent weeks on the scaffold, creating a vibrant scene that spanned the entire side of the building.
• A famous muralist was commissioned to bring life to the old downtown district with her colorful art.
• The city’s new public art program aims to employ local muralists to decorate the underpasses.

12. Ambitious

Definition: Having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed.

Example Sentences:

• She was ambitious, always dreaming of climbing the corporate ladder to reach the top of her field.
• The ambitious project aimed to provide renewable energy to the entire region within a decade.
• His ambitious nature led him to take on challenges others would shy away from.

13. Courtyard

Definition: An unroofed area that is completely or mostly enclosed by the walls of a large building.

Example Sentences:

• The courtyard in the middle of the museum provided a tranquil spot for visitors to rest.
• They decorated the courtyard with fairy lights and tables for the outdoor wedding.
• Old castles often have a central courtyard that was once used for gatherings and events.

14. Edge Case

Definition: A problem or situation that occurs only at an extreme (maximum or minimum) operating parameter.

Example Sentences:

• The software testing team spent extra time trying to identify edge cases that could cause the program to crash.
• During the product design meeting, she reminded the team to consider edge cases in their calculations.
• Finding a solution for that edge case ensured that the app could handle unusual user behavior.

15. Exception

Definition: A thing that does not follow a rule, pattern, or expectation.

Example Sentences:

• There are exceptions to every rule, and in this instance, we need to make an allowance for unforeseen circumstances.
• She was the exception in her family, pursuing a career in the arts while everyone else worked in medicine.
• The software was designed to flag any data entries that were exceptions to the expected ranges.

16. Sagging

Definition: Bending or hanging down heavily; drooping.

Example Sentences:

• The old shelves were sagging under the weight of too many books.
• Over time, the once-taut rope began sagging in the middle.
• He noticed the sagging roofline, a clear sign that the house needed urgent repairs.

17. Crates

Definition: Large shipping container, often made of wood, used to transport or store large, heavy items.

Example Sentences:

• The warehouse was filled with crates ready to be shipped overseas.
• They used old wooden crates to create rustic-looking furniture for the café.
• The equipment was packed in sturdy crates to protect it during transit.

18. Custodian

Definition: A person who has responsibility for taking care of or protecting something.

Example Sentences:

• The custodian of the museum took great pride in preserving the artifacts for future generations.
• As the custodian of the company’s confidential records, she ensured everything was securely locked each night.
• The school custodian was known for his dedication to keeping the grounds immaculate.

19. Askew

Definition: Not in a straight or level position; awry.

Example Sentences:

• After the earthquake, many pictures on the walls were left askew.
• He noticed the tie was askew and adjusted it in the mirror.
• The plan went askew when unexpected challenges arose, requiring quick thinking to correct.

20. Crammed

Definition: Stuffed or packed tightly together in a confined space.

Example Sentences:

• The bookshelves were crammed with volumes of all sizes, leaving no room for even a single sheet of paper.
• They crammed into the small car, knees pressed against the seat in front, for the short drive to the concert.
• Her suitcase was so crammed with clothes, she had to sit on it to close the lid.

21. Casters

Definition: Small wheels or rollers fitted to furniture or large objects to make them easier to move.

Example Sentences:

• We attached casters to the bottom of the bookshelf, making it much easier to move across the room when we need to rearrange.
• The hospital beds are equipped with lockable casters to ensure they can be easily transported and then securely positioned.
• She preferred office chairs with smooth-rolling casters that wouldn’t snag on the carpet.

22. Inlaid

Definition: Decorated by embedding pieces of a different material in the surface, especially to form a design that is flush with the matrix.

Example Sentences:

• The exquisite wooden table featured an inlaid design of ivory, showcasing intricate patterns and craftsmanship.
• The guitar’s fretboard boasted an inlaid mother-of-pearl motif, making it a visually captivating instrument.
• In the palace’s main hall, visitors admired the floors, which were beautifully inlaid with various types of marble.

23. Petitioning

Definition: Making a formal request or appeal to an authority with respect to a particular cause.

Example Sentences:

• Local residents are petitioning the city council to introduce safer crossing points on the busy road near the school.
• The organization is actively petitioning for changes in the law to protect endangered species.
• Students have begun petitioning the university administration to extend library hours during the examination period.

24. Prototype

Definition: An original model on which something is patterned or an early sample or release of a product built to test a concept or process.

Example Sentences:

• The engineering team finally completed the prototype, and it was ready for testing.
• They exhibited the car’s prototype at the trade show to gauge potential customer interest.
• Developing a functional prototype is a crucial step in the design process to identify any practical issues.

25. Streak

Definition: A long, thin line or mark of a different substance or color from its surroundings.

Example Sentences:

• The comet left a brilliant streak across the night sky, captivating all who saw it.
• After cleaning the windows, she noticed a streak left by an errant spray of cleaner.
• The athlete’s winning streak was the talk of the season, as he remained unbeaten in ten consecutive matches.