Have you ever learned a new word, only to forget it the next day? You’re not alone! The truth is, we remember words better when they’re connected to real-life experiences. So today, I’m going to take you on a short journey through a true travel mishap that happened to me in London—and along the way, you’ll learn 10 useful English vocabulary words and expressions that you’ll never forget.
Let’s begin…
A few years ago, I arrived at Heathrow Airport in London, excited for a week of exploring the city. I had my passport, my phone, and my sense of adventure. Everything was going smoothly until I went to collect my luggage at the baggage carousel…
It wasn’t there.
Just like that, my suitcase had disappeared into thin air. And suddenly, I found myself needing to communicate clearly and confidently in English with the airport staff.
Here’s what I said, and here are the words that helped me survive!
Meaning: Bags and suitcases that you take when you travel.
Example from the story: “Excuse me, my luggage hasn’t arrived.”
✅ Try This: “Can I help you carry your luggage?”
👉 This is a common word, especially at airports, train stations, and hotels. Americans also say “baggage,” but “luggage” is more common in British English.
Meaning: Something that is lost or not in the expected place.
Example: “My suitcase is missing.”
✅ Try This: “There’s a missing page in this book!”
👉 This word is useful not just for lost things, but even for people (“The child has been missing for hours.”)
Meaning: To give information about something that has happened, especially to an authority.
Example: “I need to report a lost suitcase.”
✅ Try This: “The student reported the issue to the teacher.”
👉 You’ll also hear it as a noun: “The report will be ready tomorrow.”
Meaning: To ask for something that you believe belongs to you.
Example: “Where do I claim my luggage?”
✅ Try This: “You can claim your refund at the desk.”
👉 Another example: “The man tried to claim the prize, but he didn’t have a ticket.”
Meaning: The group of people who work at a place (hotel, airport, company).
Example: “I asked the airport staff for help.”
✅ Try This: “The staff were very friendly at the restaurant.”
👉 Don’t say “staffs”—the word is uncountable. Use “members of staff” if you want to be specific.
Meaning: A document you fill out with information.
Example: “They gave me a form to fill out.”
✅ Try This: “Please complete the form before your appointment.”
👉 Common in many real-life situations: visa forms, medical forms, job application forms.
Meaning: A place where you stay when you’re traveling (hotel, Airbnb, etc.)
Example: “I gave them the address of my accommodation.”
✅ Try This: “Have you booked your accommodation yet?”
👉 Note: This is a very common word in British English. Americans are more likely to say “hotel” or “place to stay.”
Meaning: The length of time something lasts.
Example: “What is the duration of your stay in the UK?”
✅ Try This: “The course runs for the duration of 6 weeks.”
👉 A formal-sounding word, but very useful for travel, events, and official documents.
Meaning: After some time, finally.
Example: “Eventually, my suitcase was found.”
✅ Try This: “We eventually arrived at the hotel after getting lost.”
👉 This is great for storytelling! Use it to build suspense or describe delays.
Meaning: Feeling happy because something bad did not happen or is over.
Example: “I was so relieved when they found my suitcase.”
✅ Try This: “He was relieved to pass the exam.”
👉 Don’t confuse it with “relax” or “release.” This is an emotion—you feel it after stress disappears.
Let’s be honest: memorizing word lists doesn’t work for most people. But learning words in context, especially through stories or real-life situations, helps you remember them longer and use them naturally.
Here’s why:
You associate the word with a feeling (like panic, relief, or excitement).
You see how the word behaves in a real sentence.
You can copy the structure and use it in your own conversations.
Try This Exercise:
Think of a travel story or another life event where you had to use English. Write down 5–10 words or expressions that were important in that situation. Then, create your own short story using them. 📖
Match the word with its definition:
Accommodation
Report
Duration
Relieved
Claim
A. A place where you stay when traveling
B. To say something is missing or lost
C. A feeling when stress disappears
D. To ask for something you believe is yours
E. How long something lasts
Answers:
1 – A
2 – B
3 – E
4 – C
5 – D
Learning vocabulary doesn’t have to be boring or difficult. When you connect it to a personal experience—or someone else’s story—it becomes part of you. So the next time you pack your suitcase, I hope you’ll remember these 10 travel words. And maybe, just maybe, double-check your luggage before you leave the airport!
Have you ever had a travel mishap? Share it in the comments—and let’s build our English vocabulary together through real stories. 💬
Until next time,
Janet 🌍✈️
English with Janet
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