View synonyms for life

life

[lahyf]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural

lives

the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic objects and dead organisms, being manifested by growth through metabolism, reproduction, and the power of adaptation to environment through changes originating internally.
the sum of the distinguishing phenomena of organisms, especially metabolism, growth, reproduction, and adaptation to environment.
the animate existence or period of animate existence of an individual.
to risk one's life; a short life and a merry one.
a corresponding state, existence, or principle of existence conceived of as belonging to the soul.
eternal life.
the general or universal condition of human existence.
Too bad, but life is like that.
any specified period of animate existence.
a man in middle life.
the period of existence, activity, or effectiveness of something inanimate, as a machine, lease, or play.
The life of the car may be ten years.
a living being, especially a human being.
Several lives were lost.
living things collectively.
the hope of discovering life on other planets; insect life.
a particular aspect of existence.
He enjoys an active physical life.
the course of existence or sum of experiences and actions that constitute a person's existence.
His business has been his entire life.
a biography.
a newly published life of Willa Cather.
animation; liveliness; spirit.
a speech full of life.
Synonyms: energy, activity, verve, vigor, sprightliness, vivacity
Antonyms: inertia
resilience; elasticity.
the force that makes or keeps something alive; the vivifying or quickening principle.
The life of the treaty has been an increase of mutual understanding and respect.
a mode or manner of existence, as in the world of affairs or society.
So far her business life has not overlapped her social life.
the period or extent of authority, popularity, approval, etc..
the life of the committee; the life of a bestseller.
a prison sentence covering the remaining portion of the offender's animate existence.
The judge gave him life.
anything or anyone considered to be as precious as life.
She was his life.
a person or thing that enlivens, cheers, or brightens a gathering or group.
the life of the party.
effervescence or sparkle, as of wines.
pungency or strong, sharp flavor, as of substances when fresh or in good condition.
nature or any of the forms of nature as the model or subject of a work of art.
drawn from life.
Baseball., another opportunity given to a batter to bat because of a misplay by a fielder.
(in English pool) one of a limited number of shots allowed a player.
Each pool player has three lives at the beginning of the game.

adjective

for or lasting a lifetime; lifelong.
a life membership in a club; life imprisonment.
of or relating to animate existence.
the life force; life functions.
working from nature or using a living model.
a life drawing; a life class in oil painting.

life

/ laɪf /

noun

the state or quality that distinguishes living beings or organisms from dead ones and from inorganic matter, characterized chiefly by metabolism, growth, and the ability to reproduce and respond to stimuli
the period between birth and death
a living person or being
to save a life
the time between birth and the present time
1. the remainder or extent of one's life
2. ( as modifier )
  a life sentence
  life membership
  life subscription
  life work
short for life imprisonment
the amount of time that something is active or functioning
the life of a battery
a present condition, state, or mode of existence
my life is very dull here
1. a biography
2. ( as modifier )
  a life story
1. a characteristic state or mode of existence
  town life
2. ( as modifier )
  life style
the sum or course of human events and activities
liveliness or high spirits
full of life
a source of strength, animation, or vitality
he was the life of the show
all living things, taken as a whole
there is no life on Mars
plant life
sparkle, as of wines
strong or high flavour, as of fresh food
(modifier) arts drawn or taken from a living model
life drawing
a life mask
physics another name for lifetime
(in certain games) one of a number of opportunities of participation
informal, real and living
in an exaggerated form
1. to become animate or conscious
2. to be realistically portrayed or represented
urgently or with extreme vigour or desperation
though trying desperately
informal, an expression of encouragement
a matter of extreme urgency
informal, certainly not
informal, a person regarded as the main source of merriment and liveliness
the life and soul of the party
informal, an easy life
(of a copy or image) resembling the original exactly
informal, in spite of all considerations or attempts
he couldn't play football to save his life
a memorably enjoyable time
faithful to reality

life

The properties or qualities that distinguish living plants and organisms from dead or inanimate matter, including the capacity to grow, metabolize nutrients, respond to stimuli, reproduce, and adapt to the environment. The definitive beginning and end of human life are complex concepts informed by medical, legal, sociological, and religious considerations.
Living organisms considered as a group, such as the plants or animals of a given region.

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Other Word Forms

prelife adjective
underlife noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of life¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English lif(e), Old English līf; cognate with Dutch lijf, German Leib “body,” Old Norse līf “life, body”; akin to live ¹

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Word History and Origins

Origin of life¹

Old English līf; related to Old High German lib, Old Norse līf life, body

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

not on your life, absolutely not; under no circumstances; by no means.
Will I stand for such a thing? Not on your life!
as large as life, actually; indeed: Also as big as life
There he stood, as large as life.
for dear life, with desperate effort, energy, or speed: Also for one's life
We ran for dear life, with the dogs at our heels.
get a life, to improve the quality of one's social and professional life: often used in the imperative to express impatience with someone's behavior.
Stop wasting time with that nonsense; get a life!
come to life,
1. to recover consciousness.
2. to become animated and vigorous.
  The evening passed, but somehow the party never came to life.
3. to appear lifelike.
  The characters of the novel came to life on the screen.
for the life of one, as hard as one tries; even with the utmost effort.
He can't understand it for the life of him.
take one's life in one's hands, to risk death knowingly.
We were warned that we were taking our lives in our hands by going through that swampy area.
to the life, in perfect imitation; exactly.
The portrait characterized him to the life.

More idioms and phrases containing life

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

That’s such an insane thing to think because I was in that kid’s shoes at some point in my life.”

From Los Angeles Times

"We all need boundaries, and the problem with your life is there haven't been any," Judge Richardson said.

From BBC

But feeling alone and stuck in New York City, she turns toward this place of cultural familiarity, where the imam counsels her that she’ll be rewarded for her obedience in her next life.

From Los Angeles Times

That the audience is made privy to this deceit, including how Dennis forced his way into Roman’s life, casts a complex tension on their subsequent heart-to-hearts.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Linehan told the court his "life was made hell by activists, by journalists" because of his views about gender identity, and the trial is "just the latest attempt to punish me by process".

From BBC

Related Words

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When To Use

Plural word for life

The plural form of life is lives, pronounced [ lahyvz ]. The plurals of some other singular words that end -ife are also formed in this way, including wife/wives and knife/knives. A similar change is made when pluralizing scarf as scarves. Irregular plurals that are formed like lives derive directly from their original pluralization in Old English.When used with a modifier or as part of a compound noun, life is sometimes pluralized with the standard English plural ending -s, as in still life/still lifes (not still lives) and lowlife/lowlifes (not lowlives).

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Lifar life-and-death

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