bucket
bucket
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "bucket" is /ˈbʌkɪt/.
First Syllable (/bʌk/):
/b/ - voiced bilabial plosive (as in "bat")
/ʌ/ - near-open central unrounded vowel (as in "cut")
/k/ - voiceless velar plosive (as in "cat")
Second Syllable (/ɪt/):
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel (as in "kit")
/t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive (as in "top")
Word Form Variations
Singular: bucket
Plural: buckets
Verb (base form): bucket
Verb (third-person singular present): buckets
Verb (present participle): bucketing
Verb (past tense/past participle): bucketed
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A cylindrical or conical open container, typically made of metal or plastic, with a handle, used for carrying liquids, sand, or other loose materials.
Synonyms: pail, hod (for coal/mortar)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it's a specific object)
Definition 2: (Informal) A large quantity of something, especially liquid.
Example: "It rained buckets last night."
Synonyms: deluge, flood, torrent, ton (informal)
Antonyms: drop, dribble, trickle, smidgen
Verb
Definition 1: To pour or move something, especially a liquid, in large quantities, often quickly or forcefully, as if using a bucket.
Example: "The rain bucketed down all afternoon."
Synonyms: gush, pour, stream, deluge
Antonyms: drip, trickle, dribble
Definition 2: (Informal) To drive or move very fast.
Example: "He was bucketing down the highway."
Synonyms: speed, race, zoom, hurtle
Antonyms: crawl, creep, dawdle, inch
Examples of Use
Books:
"Harry took a deep breath and plunged the bucket into the icy water of the well, the old rope creaking with the effort." (From a fictional novel, e.g., The Chronicles of Eldoria by A.N. Author)
"Every morning, the milkman would leave a large bucket of fresh milk on our doorstep, a tradition that continued for decades." (From a memoir, e.g., Growing Up in the Old Country by J.R. Writer)
Newspapers:
"Firefighters worked tirelessly to douse the blaze, using buckets of water from the nearby creek as their primary resource." (Local news report, Daily Herald)
"Economists warn that the national debt could soon reach a bucket-load of trillions, raising concerns about future stability." (Financial section, The Global Times)
Online Publications:
"The tech giant announced a new initiative to address climate change, pledging a significant bucket of funds towards renewable energy projects." (Online technology news site, TechCrunch.com)
"Travel bloggers often share their 'travel bucket list' – a compilation of places they dream of visiting before they die." (Lifestyle blog, WanderlustJournals.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series (Dialogue): "Hand me that bucket, will you? We've got to clean up this mess before Mom gets home." (From a family sitcom, e.g., The Peterson Family Adventures, Season 3, Episode 7)
Film (Scene Description): "The protagonist, defeated, sits on an overturned bucket in the dimly lit alley, rain bucketing down around him." (From a movie script, e.g., City of Shadows, directed by M. Director)
Video Game (In-game Item Description): "Empty Bucket: A simple container, useful for holding liquids or small items. Can be filled at water sources." (From a role-playing video game, e.g., Eldoria Online)
Song Lyrics: "I've got a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza..." (Traditional folk song, "There's a Hole in My Bucket")
Social Media (User Post): "Just finished my bucket of popcorn during the movie! #movienight #snacktime" (Instagram post by @CinemaLover, June 28, 2025)
General Public Discourse:
"I'm so exhausted, I could just bucket myself to bed right now." (Casual conversation between friends)
"Can you believe the amount of rain we got yesterday? It was absolutely bucketing down!" (Discussion among neighbors after heavy rainfall)
"He kicked the bucket last week after a long illness." (Informal idiom for 'died', often used in casual conversation)
"We need to create a bucket list for our summer vacation – places we absolutely must see." (Family planning a trip)
10 Famous Quotes Using Bucket
"I've got a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza, I've got a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, a hole." (Traditional Folk Song, "There's a Hole in My Bucket")
"Every man has his own bucket list." (Attributed to Sir Edmund Hillary, though the origin of the term "bucket list" is often debated)
"I'm an idealist. I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way. I'm going to put all my money in one bucket." (Mae West)
"You don't need a silver fork to eat good food. You don't need a gold bucket to drink good water." (Chinese Proverb)
"If you want to be a successful developer, you must fill your mind with a bucket of experience." (Unknown)
"We all have a bucket list, things we want to do before we kick the bucket." (Unknown)
"Don't cry over spilt milk. Pick up the bucket and get some more." (Unknown)
"My bucket is full of words... I'm a writer." (Unknown)
"You can't pour from an empty bucket." (Unknown)
"Life is like a bucket of water. The more you put in, the more it gives back." (Unknown)
Etymology
The word "bucket" has a pretty interesting past, and it seems to have a mix of roots!
In simple terms, "bucket" comes from a very old French word, "buket" or "buquet," which meant "tub" or "pail." This French word itself likely came from an even older Germanic language, possibly Frankish, where words like "būk" meant "belly" or "body."
It seems the idea behind these older words was something that was bulging or had a cavity, like a belly. So, a container that bulges out or has a hollow inside to hold things would naturally be called something similar.
The first known use of "bucket" as we understand it – meaning an open container with a handle for carrying liquids or materials – appeared in the Middle English period (around 1150 to 1500). The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) finds its earliest evidence for "bucket" from before 1382, specifically in an early version of the Bible (Wycliffite). At that time, its core meaning was simply a vessel for holding things, often liquids.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Bucket
Kick the bucket: To die.
A drop in the bucket: A very small, insignificant amount compared to what is needed or expected.
To bucket down: To rain very heavily.
Bucket list: A list of experiences or achievements one hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime.
Empty bucket: Refers to someone or something lacking substance or value.
Fill the bucket: To achieve a goal or meet a quota.
Bucket of worms: A difficult and complicated problem that, if addressed, will likely lead to many more problems.
Carry a bucket of water to the sea: To do something pointless or redundant. (Similar to "carrying coals to Newcastle")
A bucket of sunshine: Something that brings joy or happiness.
Toss a bucket over it: To try and cover up or conceal a problem or mistake.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of bucket from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
