life

/laif/

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Definition

Noun:
- The condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death: The state of being alive.
- The existence of an individual human being or animal: The period from birth to death, or the experience of being alive.
- A particular type or aspect of human existence: A way or manner of living.
- Living things and their activity: The collective state or presence of living organisms.
- Vitality, energy, or animation: Liveliness or spirit.
- A biography: A written account of a person's life.
- A sentence of imprisonment for the duration of a prisoner's natural life: A life sentence.
- The period during which something functions or exists: The duration of operation or usefulness of an object or concept.

Usage and Examples

Referring to the state of being alive:
- The origin of life on Earth is a major scientific question.
- The doctor fought to save the patient's life.
Referring to the period of existence:
- She lived her entire life in the same small town.
- He devoted his life to helping others.
Referring to a way of living:
- They enjoy a quiet life in the countryside.
- City life can be fast-paced and exciting.
Referring to living organisms collectively:
- The forest is full of life.
- Is there life on other planets?
Referring to energy or spirit:
- The actor brought life to the character.
- The party was lacking in life until the music started.
Referring to a biography:
- He is reading a life of Winston Churchill.
Referring to a life sentence:
- The murderer was given life.
Referring to the functional period of something:
- The life of a smartphone battery is often too short.
- This policy has outlived its useful life.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

"For life": For the rest of one's life; permanently.
- He was blinded in the accident and disabled for life.
- They became friends for life.
"A matter of life and death": An extremely serious situation.
- Getting this medicine to the remote village is a matter of life and death.
"To come to life":
- To become animated or lively.
  - The dull presentation came to life when she started speaking.
- To regain consciousness.
  - The patient came to life after the surgery.
"To bring to life": To make something seem real or alive.
- The illustrator brought the ancient story to life.
"The time of one's life": A wonderfully enjoyable experience.
- We had the time of our lives on vacation.
"To take someone's life": To kill someone.
- The driver's recklessness took an innocent life.
"To take one's own life": To commit suicide. (A formal/idiomatic expression)
- He tragically took his own life.
"In the prime of life": At the peak of one's health, vitality, or success.
- She was struck by illness while still in the prime of life.

Variants and Related Words

Lives /laɪvz/: Plural form of 'life'.
- They saved countless lives during the disaster.
Lifeless (adj): Having no life; dead, or lacking energy.
- The lifeless body was found in the river.
- Her performance was flat and lifeless.
Lifelike (adj): Very similar to the real person or thing.
- The statue was incredibly lifelike.
Lifelong (adj): Lasting for the whole of a person's life.
- They were lifelong companions.
Lifetime (n): The duration of a person's life.
- A lifetime of experience.
Lifestyle (n): The way in which a person or group lives.
- A healthy lifestyle.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms and Fixed Expressions

"A new lease of life": A renewed opportunity for a happy or successful existence.
- The successful operation gave him a new lease of life.
"As large as life": Used to emphasize that someone is very obviously present.
- I turned the corner, and there he was, as large as life.
"To escape with life and limb": To escape without serious injury.
- Miraculously, everyone escaped the crash with life and limb.
"For dear life": With great effort or desperation, as if to save one's life.
- She held onto the rope for dear life.
"Not on your life!": Used to express strong refusal.
- "Would you ever try bungee jumping?" "Not on your life!"
"That's life": An expression of acceptance when something bad or disappointing happens.
- I didn't get the job I wanted, but that's life.
"To the life": Exactly like the original; very realistically.
- The portrait was drawn to the life.
"Way of life": The typical pattern of behavior of a person or group.
- Farming is not just a job; it's a way of life.

Noun

a prison term lasting as long as the prisoner lives
- he got life for killing the guard
a motive for living
- pottery was his life
an account of the series of events making up a person's life
the organic phenomenon that distinguishes living organisms from nonliving ones
- there is no life on the moon
living things collectively
- the oceans are teeming with life
animation and energy in action or expression
- it was a heavy play and the actors tried in vain to give life to it
a living person
- his heroism saved a life
the period from the present until death
- he appointed himself emperor for life
the period between birth and the present time
- I have known him all his life
the period during which something is functional (as between birth and death)
- the battery had a short life
- he lived a long and happy life
the condition of living or the state of being alive
- while there's life there's hope
- life depends on many chemical and physical processes
the course of existence of an individual; the actions and events that occur in living
- he hoped for a new life in Australia
- he wanted to live his own life without interference from others
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
- he could no longer cope with the complexities of life
a characteristic state or mode of living
- social life
- city life
- real life

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