life
/laɪf/noun★Beginner
formal
A person's existence or experience.
She values her life and tries to make the most of it.
informal
The period of time that someone is alive.
He lived a long and happy life.
Collocations
life expectancythe average number of years a person is expected to livelife insuranceinsurance that provides financial protection for a person's family in the event of their death
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
life and deathidiom
extremely important or serious
life of the partyidiom
the most enjoyable or exciting person at a social gathering
💡Pro Tip
Usage
Use 'life' to refer to a person's existence or a living being. For example: 'She values her life and tries to make the most of it.' or 'The doctor saved the life of the patient.'
⚡Gold Rule
Countability
'Life' is an uncountable noun when referring to existence, but can be countable when referring to a person's life story or experiences.
📖Word Origin
From Old English 'lif', related to 'live'.
📝Usage Notes
Can refer to an individual's existence, a living being, or a particular period of time.
Word Breakdown
life
existence or being
root✎ Noted on May 31, 2026EN → EN