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survive
/sɜːrˈvaɪv/
to continue living despite difficulties
She managed to survive the car accident with minor injuries.
She lived through the car accident and only had minor injuries.
general
to continue to live or exist, especially in spite of hardship or danger
Many animals struggle to survive in harsh climates.
Many animals have difficulty living in extreme weather conditions.
The company survived the economic crisis by cutting costs.
The company continued to exist during the economic crisis by reducing expenses.
Often used to describe enduring difficult situations or life-threatening events.
figurative
to remain in existence or continue to function despite challenges
The old traditions survived despite modernization.
The old traditions continued to exist even as society changed.
His sense of humor helped him survive the tough times.
His ability to laugh and joke helped him cope with difficult periods.
Can be used metaphorically to describe enduring emotional or social challenges.
Collocations
survive onto live or exist with very little of somethingsurvive throughto endure a difficult period or event
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Prepositions
Remember that 'survive' is often followed by 'on' (survive on little food) or 'through' (survive through hardship).
Gold Rule
Literal vs. Figurative
Use 'survive' for both physical and metaphorical endurance, but ensure the context makes the meaning clear.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'surviven', from Old French 'survivre', from Latin 'supervivere' (to live beyond), from 'super-' (beyond) + 'vivere' (to live).
Usage Notes
Can be used both literally (physical survival) and figuratively (emotional or social endurance). Often followed by prepositions like 'on', 'through', or 'after'.
Word Breakdown
sur-
beyond, over
prefix-vive
to live
rootEnglish Dictionary