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

Lifestyle creep doesn’t always look reckless on the surface — sometimes it’s just a gym upgrade or a few extra dinners out.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

All APA funded athletes also receive access to private medical care, a Personal Development Award including financial support, access to Professional Lifestyle practitioners and access to coaching, sports science, medicine and other sporting expenses.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

Lifestyle planning—not financial preparation—was the strongest predictor of retirement satisfaction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 17, 2026

"Lifestyle factors appear to impact the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that lifestyle changes may slow the emergence of cognitive symptoms if we act early."

From Science Daily • Nov. 4, 2025

Lifestyle influencer Summer Wheaton has built a brand on Instagram around beauty product recommendations and faith-based positive affirmations.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2025

Related Words

• behavior