life-changing

American  

[lahyf-chaynj-ing] / ˈlaɪfˌtʃeɪndʒ ɪŋ /

adjective

1. resulting in a major and usually positive change or reorientation of one's life (typically used of an experience that is eye-opening, awesome, etc.). Compare life-altering.

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Other Word Forms

• life-changingly
  adverb

Example Sentences

"I wish I had been seen and heard before my emergency became life-changing."

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026

So the good and bad news are the same for you: You don’t have one of those qualifying life-changing events.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

I saw these and many other otherworldly species while on a life-changing backpacking trip to the island five years ago, which I chronicled for this newspaper.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

His mother planned every detail of those very first, life-changing flights with her son in mind, and that gift is one formative enough to last an eternity.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

Pictured with me here were my friends, my sisters and brothers, who traveled with me through the historic life-changing event of attending Central High School.

From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals

Related Words

• transformative