life skill

American

[lahyf skil] / ˈlaɪf ˌskɪl /

noun

Usually life skills a skill that helps a person to function well in adult life, especially in social or emotional situations.

Schools can teach life skills such as persistence and resilience.

Etymology

Origin of life skill

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The campaign says online privacy should be taught as an essential life skill "as natural as teaching a child to cross the road".

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Whether you’re hoping to make your own garments or alter the ones you already have, sewing is an incredibly useful life skill to have.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2024

“Cooking is an essential life skill that children need to learn to be self-sufficient adults,” Loftlin said.

From Salon • Feb. 4, 2024

Call it a reality check or an introduction to a critical life skill, this exercise occurred in a course called Advanced Algebra with Financial Applications.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 10, 2023

Even in the lowest walks of life, skill and ability must be of some advantage, though in many occupations, owing to the great division of labour, a very small one.

From The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, Vol. I by Darwin, Charles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023