A1noun1K

Life

UK /["/laɪf/","/laɪvz/"]/US /["/laɪf/","/laɪvz/"]/

Definition

the ability to breathe, grow, produce young, etc. that people, animals and plants have before they die and that objects do not have

In simple words: The condition of being alive; experiences and activities of living.

Examples

  • Life can be very beautiful if you appreciate the small things.
  • He believes that life begins at birth.
  • She has always loved the life of a traveler.
  • Many people seek to find meaning in their life.
  • The book tells a story about life in ancient Rome.

Usage notes

Commonly used in all contexts, 'life' is appropriate in both casual conversations and formal writing. Avoid using it in highly technical contexts where specific terms might be better.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'life' as 'live' + 'e'; remember, it's all about living!

Collocations

  • eternal
  • everlasting
  • past
  • lose
  • bring somebody back to
  • restore somebody to
  • be lost
  • assurance
  • insurance
  • jacket
  • an attempt on somebody’s life
  • in fear for your life
  • in fear of your life
  • eternal
  • everlasting
  • past
  • lose
  • bring somebody back to
  • restore somebody to
  • be lost
  • assurance
  • insurance
  • jacket
  • an attempt on somebody’s life
  • in fear for your life
  • in fear of your life
  • intelligent
  • animal
  • bird
  • form
  • cycle
  • sciences
  • long
  • short
  • entire
  • go through
  • live
  • spend
  • history
  • story
  • membership
  • for life
  • in your life
  • throughout your life
  • all your life
  • at somebody’s time of life
  • the end of your life
  • long
  • short
  • entire
  • go through
  • live
  • spend
  • history
  • story
  • membership
  • for life
  • in your life
  • throughout your life
  • all your life
  • at somebody’s time of life
  • the end of your life
  • daily
  • day-to-day
  • everyday
  • build
  • rebuild
  • be complicated
  • be unfair
  • be precious
  • an attitude to life
  • an outlook on life
  • a philosophy of life
  • daily
  • day-to-day
  • everyday
  • build
  • rebuild
  • be complicated
  • be unfair
  • be precious
  • an attitude to life
  • an outlook on life
  • a philosophy of life
  • fulfilling
  • good
  • great
  • have
  • lead
  • live
  • build a new life
  • make a new life
  • start a new life
  • come to
  • breathe
  • bring something to
  • breathe new life into somebody/​something
  • full of life

Synonyms

  • vitality
  • flamboyant
  • sacrifice
  • background

Antonyms

  • death
  • extinction
  • nothingness

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'lifetime' when referring to a span of life.
  • Using 'life' as a verb instead of a noun.
  • Mixing up 'life' with 'lively' without understanding the difference.