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life skill

American  
[lahyf skil] / ˈlaɪf ˌskɪl /

noun

  • life skills
    plural
  1. 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.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

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.

See Examples For:

Parents should teach children online privacy as an essential life skill in the same way as stranger danger or road safety, the UK's data watchdog has said.

From BBC Apr. 6, 2026

“I think this is very important because it’s a life skill that’s not being taught to people anymore. I can teach others the skills I learn here. It has a ripple effect, ” she said.

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 Charles Darwin

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