life

[ lahyf ]

/ laɪf /

noun, plural lives [lahyvz] /laɪvz/.

the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic objects and dead organisms, being manifested by growth through metabolism, reproduction, and the power of adaptation to environment through changes originating internally.

the sum of the distinguishing phenomena of organisms, especially metabolism, growth, reproduction, and adaptation to environment.

the animate existence or period of animate existence of an individual: to risk one's life; a short life and a merry one.

a corresponding state, existence, or principle of existence conceived of as belonging to the soul: eternal life.

the general or universal condition of human existence: Too bad, but life is like that.

any specified period of animate existence: a man in middle life.

the period of existence, activity, or effectiveness of something inanimate, as a machine, lease, or play: The life of the car may be ten years.

a living being, especially a human being: Several lives were lost.

living things collectively: the hope of discovering life on other planets; insect life.

a particular aspect of existence: He enjoys an active physical life.

the course of existence or sum of experiences and actions that constitute a person's existence: His business has been his entire life.

a biography: a newly published life of Willa Cather.

animation; liveliness; spirit: a speech full of life.

resilience; elasticity.

the force that makes or keeps something alive; the vivifying or quickening principle: The life of the treaty has been an increase of mutual understanding and respect.

a mode or manner of existence, as in the world of affairs or society: So far her business life has not overlapped her social life.

the period or extent of authority, popularity, approval, etc.: the life of the committee; the life of a bestseller.

a prison sentence covering the remaining portion of the offender's animate existence: The judge gave him life.

anything or anyone considered to be as precious as life: She was his life.

a person or thing that enlivens, cheers, or brightens a gathering or group: the life of the party.

effervescence or sparkle, as of wines.

pungency or strong, sharp flavor, as of substances when fresh or in good condition.

nature or any of the forms of nature as the model or subject of a work of art: drawn from life.

Baseball. another opportunity given to a batter to bat because of a misplay by a fielder.

(in English pool) one of a limited number of shots allowed a player: Each pool player has three lives at the beginning of the game.

adjective

for or lasting a lifetime; lifelong: a life membership in a club; life imprisonment.

of or relating to animate existence: the life force; life functions.

working from nature or using a living model: a life drawing; a life class in oil painting.

QUIZZES

THIS WEEK’S WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ IS POSITIVELY FELICIFIC

Do you study our Words of the Day with great assiduity? See how many you remember from March 30 to April 5!

Question 1 of 7

transliterate

to remove or destroy all traces of.

to change (letters, words, etc.), into corresponding characters of another alphabet or language.

to explain in terms that can be more easily understood.

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Idioms for life

as large as life, actually; indeed: There he stood, as large as life.Also as big as life.

come to life,

to recover consciousness.
to become animated and vigorous: The evening passed, but somehow the party never came to life.
to appear lifelike: The characters of the novel came to life on the screen.

for dear life, with desperate effort, energy, or speed: We ran for dear life, with the dogs at our heels.Also for one's life.

for the life of one, as hard as one tries; even with the utmost effort: He can't understand it for the life of him.

get a life, to improve the quality of one's social and professional life: often used in the imperative to express impatience with someone's behavior: Stop wasting time with that nonsense; get a life!

not on your life, Informal. absolutely not; under no circumstances; by no means: Will I stand for such a thing? Not on your life!

take one's life in one's hands, to risk death knowingly: We were warned that we were taking our lives in our hands by going through that swampy area.

to the life, in perfect imitation; exactly: The portrait characterized him to the life.

Origin of life

before 900; Middle English lif(e); Old English līf; cognate with Dutch lijf, German Leib body, Old Norse līf life, body; akin to live¹

SYNONYMS FOR life

13 vivacity, sprightliness, vigor, verve, activity, energy.

ANTONYMS FOR life

13 inertia.

OTHER WORDS FROM life

pre·life, adjectiveun·der·life, noun

Words nearby life

lieutenant governor, lieutenant junior grade, lieve, lif, lifar, life, life and death, life annuity, life arrow, life assurance, life belt

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for for the life of one

life

/ (laɪf) /

noun plural lives (laɪvz)

the state or quality that distinguishes living beings or organisms from dead ones and from inorganic matter, characterized chiefly by metabolism, growth, and the ability to reproduce and respond to stimuliRelated adjectives: animate, vital

the period between birth and death

a living person or beingto save a life

the time between birth and the present time

the remainder or extent of one's life
(as modifier)a life sentence; life membership; life subscription; life work

short for life imprisonment

the amount of time that something is active or functioningthe life of a battery

a present condition, state, or mode of existencemy life is very dull here

a biography
(as modifier)a life story

a characteristic state or mode of existencetown life
(as modifier)life style

the sum or course of human events and activities

liveliness or high spiritsfull of life

a source of strength, animation, or vitalityhe was the life of the show

all living things, taken as a wholethere is no life on Mars; plant life

sparkle, as of wines

strong or high flavour, as of fresh food

(modifier) arts drawn or taken from a living modellife drawing; a life mask

physics another name for lifetime

(in certain games) one of a number of opportunities of participation

as large as life informal real and living

larger than life in an exaggerated form

come to life

to become animate or conscious
to be realistically portrayed or represented

for dear life urgently or with extreme vigour or desperation

for the life of one though trying desperately

go for your life Australian and NZ informal an expression of encouragement

a matter of life and death a matter of extreme urgency

not on your life informal certainly not

the life and soul informal a person regarded as the main source of merriment and livelinessthe life and soul of the party

the life of Riley informal an easy life

to the life (of a copy or image) resembling the original exactly

to save one's life informal in spite of all considerations or attemptshe couldn't play football to save his life

the time of one's life a memorably enjoyable time

true to life faithful to reality

Word Origin for life

Old English līf; related to Old High German lib, Old Norse līf life, body

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for for the life of one

life

[ līf ]

n. pl. lives (līvz)

The property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment originating from within the organism.

The characteristic state or condition of a living organism.

Living organisms considered as a group.

A living being, especially a person.

Scientific definitions for for the life of one

life

[ līf ]

The properties or qualities that distinguish living plants and organisms from dead or inanimate matter, including the capacity to grow, metabolize nutrients, respond to stimuli, reproduce, and adapt to the environment. The definitive beginning and end of human life are complex concepts informed by medical, legal, sociological, and religious considerations.

Living organisms considered as a group, such as the plants or animals of a given region.

Idioms and Phrases with for the life of one (1 of 2)

for the life of one

Although trying hard, as in I can't for the life of me remember his name. This expression is always used hyperbolically, that is, one's life is not at all endangered. [Late 1700s]

Idioms and Phrases with for the life of one (2 of 2)

life

In addition to the idioms beginning with life

life and death
life is too short
life of Riley
life of the party

also see:

bet one's ass (life)
big as life
breathe new life into
bring to life
change of life
charmed life
come alive (to life)
dog's life
facts of life
for dear life
for the life of
get a life
good life
late in life
lay down (one's life)
lead a double life
matter of life and death
new lease on life
not on your life
of one's life
once in a lifetime
prime of life
risk life and limb
run for it (one's life)
staff of life
story of my life
take someone's life
to save one's life
to the life
true to (life)
variety is the spice of life
walk of life
while there's life there's hope
you bet (your life)