REAL-LIFE ENGLISH | WEEK 08


YouTube Channel Source: MrWhoseTheBoss

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

WORDS / EXPRESSIONS + [Timestamp]

  1. Occurrence [01:14]

  2. Wraparound [03:43]

  3. Extravagant [05:27]

  4. Aperture [05:36]

  5. Toying [06:41]

  6. Consoles [07:12]

  7. Bottlenecks [08:46]

  8. Swallow the bill [08:54]

  9. Poetic [09:10]

  10. Translucent [10:49]

  11. Rickety [13:06]

  12. Illusion [15:15]

  13. Emitted [15:30]

  14. Flicker [16:17]

  15. Programmable [16:40]

  16. Contraption [17:41]

  17. Runtime [17:49]

  18. Essence [19:01]

  19. Ambience [19:30]

  20. Miniaturized [20:31]

  21. Typical [20:46]

  22. Ensue [20:56]

  23. Binaural [24:01]

  24. Dangling [25:07]

  25. Bonkers [25:25]

 


DEFINITIONS & SENTENCES

1. Occurrence

Definition: An event or incident that happens.

  • The sighting of a rare bird in the park was an exciting occurrence for the local birdwatchers.
  • Power outages are a common occurrence during the summer storms in our area.
  • The occurrence of a lunar eclipse is always an occasion for astronomers and enthusiasts to come together.

2. Wraparound

Definition: Something that wraps around or covers, often referring to clothing or accessories that encircle the body, or a design feature that extends around a thing.

  • She wore a wraparound skirt that fluttered in the ocean breeze.
  • The house featured a wraparound porch, offering panoramic views of the countryside.
  • The new sunglasses have a wraparound style, offering better protection from the sun.

3. Extravagant

Definition: Lacking restraint in spending money or using resources; costing too much money.

  • Sarah’s extravagant lifestyle left her with little savings at the end of the month.
  • The wedding was an extravagant affair, with over five hundred guests and a gourmet meal.
  • Buying a yacht seems like an extravagant purchase for someone who doesn’t like the ocean.

4. Aperture

Definition: An opening, hole, or gap, especially one allowing light to pass through, like in a camera.

  • The photographer adjusted the aperture to get the right amount of light for the shot.
  • A small aperture in the wall allowed a beam of sunlight to filter into the dark room.
  • Changing the aperture affects the depth of field in your photographs.

5. Toying

Definition: To consider or handle something in a careless or indecisive manner.

  • She was toying with her food, lost in thought and hardly eating.
  • He’s just toying with the idea of going back to school, but hasn’t made any real plans yet.
  • The cat spent the afternoon toying with the mouse it had caught.

6. Consoles

Definition: Comforts someone at a time of grief or disappointment; or, the control panels for video games or machines.

  • She consoles her friend with gentle words after the loss of his job.
  • The game consoles were all taken, so we had to wait our turn.
  • He stood alone, staring at the consoles, trying to figure out which button to press.

7. Bottlenecks

Definition: A point of congestion or blockage, in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

  • Traffic always bottlenecks at the narrow bridge during rush hour.
  • The production bottleneck was traced back to a single malfunctioning machine on the assembly line.
  • The bureaucratic process was full of bottlenecks that slowed down approval times.

8. Swallow the bill

Definition: To accept or deal with the expense or cost of something, albeit there is no standard usage.

  • Assuming the intended phrase was “swallow the bill“, here’s a creative take:
  • After seeing the damages, he knew he had to swallow the bill and pay for the repairs.
  • The company decided to swallow the bill for the recall, knowing it would maintain customer trust.

9. Poetic

Definition: Relating to or used in poetry, or having an artistic or expressive form akin to poetry.

  • The sunset painted a poetic scene that inspired her to write a verse.
  • His speeches are known for their poetic language, captivating audiences.
  • The garden’s beauty was almost poetic, with flowers and trees arranged in perfect harmony.

10. Translucent

Definition: Allowing light, but not detailed images, to pass through; semi-transparent or semi-opaque.

  • The translucent curtains let in light while providing privacy.
  • She admired the translucent wings of the butterfly, delicate and shimmering in the sunlight.
  • The morning fog gave the city a translucent quality, softening the edges of buildings.

11. Rickety

Definition: Poorly made and likely to collapse.

  • They climbed the rickety staircase, careful not to make any sudden moves.
  • The rickety table wobbled under the weight of the books.
  • Everyone avoided sitting in the rickety old chair that looked like it could fall apart at any moment.

12. Illusion

Definition: Something that deceives by producing a false or misleading impression of reality.

  • The magician’s greatest skill was creating an illusion that left the audience speechless.
  • From a distance, the oasis was nothing but a mirage, an illusion created by the heatwave.
  • The room’s mirrors were arranged to create the illusion of infinite space.

13. Emitted

Definition: To send out (light, heat, sound, etc.) from a source.

  • The machine emitted a low hum that could be heard throughout the office.
  • The fire emitted a warm, comforting glow.
  • The fragrance diffuser emitted a gentle scent of lavender into the room.

14. Flicker

Definition: (of light or a source of light) To shine unsteadily; vary rapidly in brightness.

  • The candles flickered in the wind, casting moving shadows along the walls.
  • The monitor would occasionally flicker, indicating it was time for a replacement.
  • The faint flicker of the lighthouse guided sailors safely to shore.

15. Programmable

Definition: Capable of being programmed for automatic operation.

  • The new coffee maker is programmable, so you can have coffee ready when you wake up.
  • They installed a programmable thermostat to better control heating and cooling costs.
  • Many children’s toys are now programmable, introducing them to basic coding concepts.

16. Contraption

Definition: A machine or device that appears strange or unnecessarily complicated, and often badly made or unsafe.

  • The inventor unveiled his latest contraption, a bicycle that could fold into a suitcase.
  • The garage was filled with contraptions made from spare parts and recycled materials.
  • He put together a contraption to water his plants automatically while he was away.

17. Runtime

Definition: The duration for which a program or movie runs.

  • The software’s runtime varies depending on the complexity of the task it’s performing.
  • They checked the movie’s runtime to ensure they would be out in time for dinner.
  • The battery’s runtime was significantly shorter than advertised, leading to customer complaints.

18. Essence

Definition: The intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, that determines its character.

  • Patience is the essence of being a good teacher.
  • The essence of her argument was that both sides were somewhat at fault.
  • In essence, the new law restricts freedom more than it protects it.

19. Ambience

Definition: The character and atmosphere of a place.

  • The restaurant’s warm ambience made it a popular choice for romantic dinners.
  • Soft lighting and classical music created a relaxing ambience in the spa.
  • They chose the location for its lively ambience and street music.

20. Miniaturized

Definition: To design or construct on a scale much smaller than the original or usual.

  • Scientists have miniaturized the device so that it can be easily worn on the wrist.
  • The exhibition featured miniaturized replicas of famous landmarks.
  • Advances in technology have allowed many gadgets to be miniaturized, making them more portable and convenient.

21. Typical

Definition: Representing the characteristic qualities of a particular type of person or thing.

  • It’s typical for him to call us at the last minute with changes to plans.
  • The weather today is typical for this time of year, sunny and warm.
  • She faced the typical challenges of starting a new business, from budgeting to finding clients.

22. Ensue

Definition: Happen or occur afterward or as a result.

  • Chaos ensued after the unexpected announcement.
  • After the lights went out, a loud argument ensued among the residents.
  • If protocols are not followed, serious consequences could ensue.

23. Binaural

Definition: Involving or relating to the use of both ears.

  • Binaural recordings are used in tests to simulate a 3D audio environment.
  • He put on his headphones to experience the full effect of the binaural audio.
  • The binaural beats in the meditation app helped her focus better.

24. Dangling

Definition: Hanging or swinging loosely.

  • The child enjoyed dangling her feet in the water from the dock.
  • A pair of shoes were dangling from the telephone wire above the street.
  • Keys were dangling from his belt loop as he ran.

25. Bonkers

Definition: Crazy or mad.

  • Everyone thought his plan was completely bonkers, but it turned out to be a success.
  • The movie plot was so bonkers that I couldn’t stop watching, just to see what happened next.
  • She had this bonkers idea of backpacking across the continent with no prior experience.

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