English in the wild
This polite phrase is what you use when you want someone to repeat something you didn’t catch.
Could you repeat that, please?
This comparative of “big” describes an elephant next to a dog.
bigger
This is the informal way to say “assistance.”
help
This optical phenomenon appears when sunlight is shining through water droplets in the air.
Rainbow
What does "btw" mean?
By the way
This phrase on a food package means you should eat it before a specific day.
Best before
This irregular comparative of “little” is used when comparing quantities.
less
This is the informal way to say “purchase.”
buy
This rotating column of air forms over land and is measured on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
Tornado
What does "atm" mean?
At the moment, right now
This airport announcement tells you it’s time to walk to the plane.
Now boarding
This comparative form of “far” is used when comparing two physical distances.
farther/further
This is the formal way to say “kids.”
children
This instrument measures atmospheric pressure and helps predict upcoming weather changes.
Barometer
What does "iykyk" mean?
if you know, you know
This phrase in an email means you’re adding a file.
Please find attached
This superlative form of “expensive” fits the priciest item in a luxury shop.
the most expensive
This is the formal equivalent of “get.”
obtain/acquire
This long period of unusually low rainfall can devastate agriculture and water supplies.
Draught
This Gen Z slang verb means “to ignore someone completely,” often in a dry, almost theatrical way.
to ghost someone
What does RSVP mean?
répondez s'il vous plaît, or "please answer as soon as possible"
This superlative form of “likely” is used in probability discussions.
the most likely
This is the formal way to say “pick up.”
retrieve
This scientific field studies long-term patterns in temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric behavior.
Meteorology
What does "icymi" mean?
in case you missed it