lifestyle

American  

[lahyf-stahyl] / ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl /

Or life style,

noun

1. the habits, attitudes, tastes, moral standards, economic level, etc., that together constitute the mode of living of an individual or group.

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adjective

1. pertaining to or catering to a certain lifestyle.

   unhealthy lifestyle choices; lifestyle advertising; a luxury lifestyle hotel.

2. (of a drug) used to treat a medical condition that is not life-threatening or painful.

   lifestyle drugs for baldness.

lifestyle British  

/ ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl /

noun

1. a set of attitudes, habits, or possessions associated with a particular person or group

2. such attitudes, etc, regarded as fashionable or desirable

3. 1. a luxurious semirural manner of living

   2. ( as modifier )

      a lifestyle property

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adjective

1. suggestive of a fashionable or desirable lifestyle

   a lifestyle café

2. (of a drug) designed to treat problems, such as impotence or excess weight, which affect a person's quality of life rather than his or her health

Etymology

Origin of lifestyle

First recorded in 1925–30; life + style

Explanation

Your lifestyle is how you live, and it reflects who you are. You might try to look cool by adopting a rock star lifestyle of partying every night and sleeping all day, but you'd probably get pretty tired. A lifestyle can also reflect your attitude or your personal values. For example, you might have a very conservative lifestyle, which means you don't spend money on anything trivial or unnecessary, and you don't engage in silly activities. A glamorous lifestyle means you indulge in upscale, high-profile pursuits and live luxuriously. If you've got some bad habits, your doctor might encourage you to adopt a healthier lifestyle, and get more exercise and eat more carefully.

Example Sentences

Having the flexibility to sustain your lifestyle in a down market is a nice cushion to rest your head on at night.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Rodríguez Castro has since settled into a more discrete lifestyle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

There are also suggestions that Australia is being considered as a market for Meghan's As Ever lifestyle brand – which has featured prominently in a Netflix series made by the couple's production company.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

It is trying to channel spending into lifestyle categories that are repeatable, emotionally resonant, and easier to scale through branding, intellectual property, and offline experiences.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

The new lifestyle appeared first on the north coast of Japan’s southwesternmost island of Kyushu, immediately across Tsushima Strait from South Korea.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• behavior