Bucket list
/ˈbʌkɪt lɪst/informalUK · US
What does “Bucket list” mean?
Bucket list means a list of things you hope to do in your lifetime
Seeing the northern lights might be on your bucket list. So might learning to swim: the experience only needs to matter to you.
A shopping list or a list of this week’s chores is not normally a bucket list. The phrase suggests bigger personal wishes.
When do people say it?
Usually used for memorable experiences or personal ambitions. It can be playful; the person does not need to be near the end of their life.
“Seeing the northern lights has always been on my bucket list.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal. It is most at home in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
“Bucket” comes from “kick the bucket”, an informal expression for dying. The list contains things someone hopes to do before then.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “Bucket list” in other languages?
Related idioms
- Kick the bucket, Die, said jokingly or bluntly.
Last updated 2026-11-04