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Synonyms

lifework

American  
[lahyf-wurk] / ˈlaɪfˈwɜrk /

noun

  1. the complete or principal work, labor, or task of a lifetime.


Etymology

Origin of lifework

First recorded in 1870–75; life + work

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:

There followed a long period when silent films were virtually unmarketable, and the lifework of many actors and directors disappeared into warehouses or dissolved into silver.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 15, 2026

With his other great lifework, on behalf of the natural world, Grinnell accomplished much.

From New York Times Jul. 24, 2019

Wiener’s lifework and his failure to predict its consequences are intimately bound up in the idea of an impending technological singularity.

From Slate Feb. 28, 2019

Since this has become sort of my lifework over the last two and a half years I have to wake up every morning optimistic.

From Salon Jan. 29, 2019

Now tell me why we have no papers, no printed materials written by this great artist about his lifework?

From "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett

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