B2noun2K

Survival

UK /["/səˈvaɪvl/"]/US /["/sərˈvaɪvl/"]/

Definition

the state of continuing to live or exist, often despite difficulty or danger

In simple words: The ability to stay alive in difficult situations.

Examples

  • The survival of the species depends on adapting to environmental changes.
  • He learned key survival skills like building shelter and finding water in the wilderness.
  • Economic survival is a major concern for small businesses during a recession.
  • The survival rate for patients with this disease has improved due to better treatments.
  • After the crash, their survival depended on rescue teams arriving promptly.
  • The film is a story about the survival of a shipwrecked sailor on a deserted island.

Usage notes

Use 'survival' when discussing staying alive in dangerous or challenging situations, like nature or emergencies. It's neutral but can be used in more formal contexts like survival training or studies.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'survive' as a key to staying alive, and 'survival' is the journey to keep the key working.

Collocations

  • long-term
  • short-term
  • continued
  • fight for
  • assure
  • ensure
  • chances
  • rate
  • skills
  • survival against
  • survival as
  • a battle for survival
  • a fight for survival
  • a struggle for survival

Synonyms

  • endurance
  • survivalism
  • continuation
  • perseverance
  • subsistence

Antonyms

  • death
  • failure
  • extinction

Common mistakes

  • Using 'survive' instead of 'survival' (wrong form)
  • Confused with 'survivor' (different meaning)
  • Mispronouncing it as 'sur-vival' instead of 'sur-vahyl'