life list: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialist)Informal, technical (within hobbyist communities)
Quick answer
What does “life list” mean?
A personal, cumulative list of all the species (especially birds) one has observed and identified in the wild.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A personal, cumulative list of all the species (especially birds) one has observed and identified in the wild.
A list of achievements or experiences one aims to complete in a lifetime; commonly used in birdwatching (birding) and other wildlife observation hobbies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both varieties. The hobby is called 'birdwatching' more commonly in the UK and 'birding' in the US, but 'life list' is standard in both.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with the US birding community's competitive ethos, but the difference is minimal.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general language, but common within the specific hobbyist communities of both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “life list” in a Sentence
[Subject] keeps/has a life list.[Subject] added the [species] to their life list.The goal is to expand one's life list.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “life list” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was desperate to *tick* the nightjar on his life list.
- I finally *life-listed* a puffin after years of trying. (Note: 'life-list' as verb is informal & derived)
American English
- She finally *checked off* the bald eagle on her life list.
- He hopes to *add* a dozen new species this year.
adjective
British English
- His life-list total is now over 300.
- It was a life-list bird for many in the group.
American English
- She achieved a life-list goal today.
- The sighting was a life-list event for him.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, may appear in ecology or ornithology papers discussing citizen science data.
Everyday
Understood only if the topic of birdwatching arises.
Technical
Core term within ornithology and birding communities.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “life list”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I life-listed a robin'). The correct verb is 'to tick' (UK) or 'to check off' (US) a species.
- Confusing it with 'bucket list' (a list of general life goals).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common in birdwatching, the term can be used by butterfly watchers, herpetologists (reptile/amphibian watchers), and other naturalists for their respective species.
A 'bucket list' is a list of experiences or achievements one wants to accomplish before dying. A 'life list' is a cumulative record of specific species one has already observed, though completing it can become a bucket-list goal.
Absolutely. Most birders start their life list from their first consciously identified wild species. It's a personal record that grows with your experience.
It operates on an honour system for most hobbyists. The list is personal, though rare sightings might require detailed notes or photos to be accepted by certain birding societies or for official records.
A personal, cumulative list of all the species (especially birds) one has observed and identified in the wild.
Life list is usually informal, technical (within hobbyist communities) in register.
Life list: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪf ˌlɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪf ˌlɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A lifer (n.): a species seen for the first time and added to one's life list.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'bucket list' for birds: a LIFE LIST is for all the species you see in your LIFE.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVEMENT IS A LIST; A HOBBY IS A QUEST (to complete the list).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'life list' primarily associated with?