life
life — noun
- lifesingular
- livesplural
1. the period of time when a person or other living thing is alive, including all t
the period of time when a person or other living thing is alive, including all the experiences, events, and activities that happen during that time
Anya spent most of her life in a small fishing village on the coast.
possessive + life: her life
The old photographs helped Sirin remember the important moments of her life.
Rodrigo wrote a book about his life as a fisherman in Portugal.
Paramedics worked for twenty minutes to save the elderly cyclist's life after a truck hit him at the crossroads.
In her long life, Nora saw horse-drawn carts replaced by cars and then by electric vehicles.
文法句型
life + of + noun
in + possessive + life
用法筆記
Often used with possessives (my life, her life, their lives) or with of to specify whose existence is being described. This is the broadest and most frequent sense of the word.
常見錯誤
2. the full span of a person's existence from birth to death, seen as a single unbr
the full span of a person's existence from birth to death, seen as a single unbroken period that one lives through, commits to for its entire length, or endures till the end — used in fixed expressions like for life or the rest of your life
When their parents died, Nora promised her younger brother to care for him for life.
for life: indicates the entire remaining duration
The judge sentenced the convicted murderer to spend the rest of his life in a maximum-security prison.
the rest of + possessive + life
Marco decided to dedicate all of his life to teaching mathematics to children in rural mountain villages.
A turtle can live over fifty years, so owning one is a commitment for life.
A spinal injury from the car crash affected the gymnast's ability to walk for the rest of his life.
- lifetime
interchangeable in many contexts, slightly more formal
文法句型
for life
all of + possessive + life
the rest of + possessive + life
用法筆記
Typically appears in fixed expressions like for life, for the rest of your life, or all my life. Distinguish from sense 1 (EXISTENCE): this sense emphasises the full duration rather than the experiences within it.
3. the act or state of sacrificing one's own existence or well-being so that anothe
the act or state of sacrificing one's own existence or well-being so that another person, a group, or a principle can survive or be protected.
The young soldier gave his life to save the other members of his team.
give + possessive + life: gave his life
Three student activists lost their lives during the protest for cleaner drinking water in their town.
lose + possessive + life (plural): lost their lives
The firefighters risked their lives running into the burning apartment building.
The documentary tells the story of four nurses who gave their lives caring for patients during the epidemic.
Rescue workers put their own lives at risk to help stranded hikers on the mountain.
- sacrifice
broader term that can include giving up things other than one's life
- self-sacrifice
emphasises the voluntary nature of the act
文法句型
give + possessive + life
lose + possessive + life
risk + possessive + life
用法筆記
Nearly always used with verbs like give, lose, risk, or sacrifice combined with a possessive. The subject is typically the person making the sacrifice. Common in news reports about accidents, wars, and heroic acts.
常見錯誤
4. the idea that people live on after dying as spirits or in another form of being
the idea that people live on after dying as spirits or in another form of being
After her mother passed away, Tamar found great comfort in her belief in life after death.
life after death: set phrase
The ancient Egyptians wrote detailed descriptions on tomb walls about what happens in the next life.
next life: another common phrase for this sense
The concept of eternal life appears in the sacred texts of Christianity, Islam, and several other faiths.
After watching a documentary on near-death experiences, Yan began to wonder whether consciousness continues beyond physical death.
Ancient Egyptian tombs held items people believed they would need in the next life.
- death
the end of physical life that this sense claims to follow
文法句型
life after death
the afterlife
next life
eternal life
用法筆記
Commonly found in fixed phrases: life after death, next life, eternal life, and the afterlife. This sense is uncountable and rarely used with an article unless modified (a life beyond death).
5. the daily routines and customs that make up how someone lives, covering all part
the daily routines and customs that make up how someone lives, covering all parts of their existence from work to relationships
Moving to the countryside gave Layla a quieter and simpler life.
adjective + life: a quieter and simpler life
Vikram enjoys Mumbai's busy social life — concerts, films, and late-night street food with friends.
Her family life changed completely after the birth of her twin daughters.
The documentary shows the daily life of teachers in a small mountain village.
Lauren chose a life of travel and adventure instead of a regular office job.
文法句型
adjective + life
noun modifier + life
life + of + noun
用法筆記
Can be modified by almost any adjective (busy life, quiet life, happy life, stressful life) or noun modifier (family life, city life, school life, home life). This sense is very productive for describing different areas or styles of living.
常見錯誤
6. a complete change from one's existing situation to a different way or place of l
a complete change from one's existing situation to a different way or place of living, typically after a difficult period
After the divorce, Yasmin decided to start a new life in another city.
start a new life: most common verb collocation
The family sold everything they owned and began a new life in Canada.
Kemi moved to a small coastal town to make a fresh life away from stress.
The plant manager moved to New Zealand and started a new life as a sheep farmer after the factory closed.
The refugees built a new life for themselves in a country that welcomed them.
- fresh start
a synonymous phrase that can be used interchangeably in most contexts
- new beginning
slightly more formal, often used in emotional or spiritual contexts
- routine
a fixed, unchanging pattern of living that is the opposite of a fresh start
文法句型
start a new life
make a new life
begin a new life
用法筆記
Always appears with an adjective like new or fresh and a verb like start, begin, make, or build. The focus is on the act of changing rather than the resulting lifestyle. Distinguish from sense 5 (WAY OF LIVING): this sense describes the transition itself, not the ongoing pattern.
7. the length of time that a machine, device, system, or organization continues to
the length of time that a machine, device, system, or organization continues to work, be useful, or exist
The average life of a laptop battery is about three to four years.
the life of [object] — duration of usefulness
Charlotte hopes to extend the life of her washing machine by cleaning it every month.
The new bridge has a design life of sixty years before major work is needed.
The life of the local newspaper shortened sharply after people began reading news online.
Solar panels can have a working life of twenty-five years or more.
- lifespan
more specific; the maximum or expected duration
- durability
focus on how long something lasts without breaking, not its whole period of use
- service life
technical term for the period a product is expected to remain functional
文法句型
the life of [noun]
用法筆記
Commonly preceded by a possessive or 'of' phrase identifying the object: 'the life of a battery', 'the car's life'. Often modified by adjectives like 'useful', 'working', 'design', or 'shelf'.
常見錯誤
8. the condition or force that separates living creatures from non-living matter an
the condition or force that separates living creatures from non-living matter and from dead bodies — giving them the ability to grow, reproduce, breathe, and react to their surroundings
The scientists are searching for signs of life on other planets using powerful telescopes.
signs of life — evidence of living things
Yuki believes that every form of life, from insects to elephants, deserves respect.
forms of life — types of living organisms
After the long drought, life slowly returned to the dry riverbed when the rains came.
Dr. Okonkwo believes that protecting human life is a doctor's most important duty, even during armed conflicts.
The children watched in wonder as seeds pushed through the soil and showed signs of life.
- death
the end of life
- inanimate matter
objects and substances without life
文法句型
life as [noun phrase]
signs of life
forms of life
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (human existence) which focuses on personal experience and biography, this sense describes the biological state itself. 'Signs of life' and 'forms of life' are fixed patterns unique to this sense.
常見錯誤
9. the lively, energetic quality that a person, performance, event, or place natura
the lively, energetic quality that a person, performance, event, or place naturally possesses — the sense that something is vibrant, spirited, and full of activity rather than dull, empty, or quiet
The young singer brought life to the old folk song, and the audience stood up and cheered.
bring life to [something] — make it lively
Selim's travel stories are full of life and colour — you never get bored listening to him.
full of life — very energetic and interesting
The party had no life until someone put on dance music and the guests started moving.
Valentina's paintings are famous for their life and energy; the horses seem ready to gallop away.
The market square is full of life early in the morning when the farmers arrive with fresh vegetables.
- dullness
lack of excitement
- lifelessness
absence of energy or spirit
文法句型
full of life
bring life to [noun]
用法筆記
Used where a thing or event has 'life' as a quality. Not used for living organisms themselves — a person who 'has life' means they are biologically alive (sense 8), not that they are energetic. 'Full of life' avoids this ambiguity.
常見錯誤
10. the deliberate act or process of making something more interesting, vivid, or ex
the deliberate act or process of making something more interesting, vivid, or exciting — used in the phrases bring to life and breathe life into, where a person or thing actively transforms a dull subject, object, or situation into an engaging one
The old black-and-white photos were brought to life when Grandma told us the stories behind each one.
bring [noun] to life — make vivid and interesting
The new history teacher breathed life into the class by dressing up as famous figures from the past.
breathe life into [noun] — revitalise with energy
The sculptor's skill brought the marble figure to life so that it seemed ready to step off its stand.
A good film adaptation can bring a novel to life for people who find long books difficult.
The festival organisers hope to breathe new life into the town's tired old shopping street.
- animate
more formal; give motion or spirit to
- revitalise
suggests restoring energy to something that has lost it
- enliven
make more lively or interesting
文法句型
bring [noun] to life
breathe life into [noun]
用法筆記
Always part of a verb phrase — 'life' here is the object of 'bring to' or 'breathe into'. The phrase can be used with any subject that adds energy or interest. 'Breathe new life into' adds the idea of refreshing something old or tired.
常見錯誤
11. used in the phrase 'come to life' to describe a machine, device, system, or plac
used in the phrase 'come to life' to describe a machine, device, system, or place starting to move, work, or operate as if it had become alive
The old radio crackled and came to life with jazz music when Elena plugged it in.
come to life — start functioning (electronic device)
The robot's eyes glowed blue and its arms began to move — it had finally come to life.
As the sun rose over the hills, the sleeping city came to life with the sound of traffic and voices.
The engine coughed twice and then came to life with a low, steady hum.
The garden comes to life each spring when the first green shoots push through the soil.
文法句型
come to life
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 12: this sense focuses on the start of actual movement, sound, or functional operation (a clock ticking, an engine running, a city waking). Sense 12 focuses on a change in mood or atmosphere becoming more exciting.
常見錯誤
12. used in the phrase 'come to life' to describe a situation, event, discussion, or
used in the phrase 'come to life' to describe a situation, event, discussion, or place becoming more exciting, interesting, or full of lively activity
The party only came to life after midnight when the band started playing salsa music.
The quiet museum came to life when a group of schoolchildren arrived for an interactive tour.
The classroom discussion came to life when Mateo challenged the textbook's version of historical events.
The town comes to life during the summer festival with music, food stalls, and street performers.
The weekly product meeting came to life when Priya proposed cutting three outdated features from the software.
- die down
become less exciting or active
- fizzle out
lose energy and stop being interesting
文法句型
come to life
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 11: this sense describes a change in atmosphere or level of excitement, not the start of mechanical or physical functioning. If a device starts making noise, use sense 11. If a room full of people suddenly becomes animated, use this sense.
13. the state of returning to a condition of operation, liveliness, or interest afte
the state of returning to a condition of operation, liveliness, or interest after a period of inactivity, stillness, or decline — the key element that distinguishes this sense from other 'life' phrasal senses is the idea of restoration or recovery, often expressed with back in come back to life or bring back to life
After weeks of heavy rain, the flooded garden came back to life when the sun finally dried out the soil.
collocation: come back to life (nature)
An old clock, silent for years, was brought back to life at a local shop.
collocation: bring back to life (object)
The historic theatre was restored and brought back to life as a concert hall.
A good teacher can bring a boring textbook to life with interesting stories.
In Soraya's latest novel, the fictional village seems to come to life on the page.
文法句型
come/spring + back + to life
bring + object + back + to life
come + to life
bring + object + to life
用法筆記
Often appears in fixed phrases: 'come back to life' (intransitive, focuses on the subject reviving on its own) and 'bring [something] back to life' (transitive, an agent does the reviving). The shorter forms 'come to life' and 'bring to life' are also common when describing renewed energy rather than literal restoration.
14. all the plants, animals, and other living organisms that inhabit a particular en
all the plants, animals, and other living organisms that inhabit a particular environment, region, or type of place — typically preceded by a modifier such as marine, plant, bird, or wildlife to specify which kinds of organisms
The scientist spent thirty years studying marine life in the Pacific Ocean.
collocation: marine life / plant life / wildlife
The forest floor is full of insect life — beetles, ants, and spiders of every size.
Niran's documentary explored the rich bird life found along the Amazon River.
Pollution in the river has destroyed nearly all aquatic life downstream.
The biology team discovered microbial life in a volcanic lake where no one expected organisms to survive.
- organisms
more scientific, often used in biology contexts
- living beings
broader, can include humans and animals
文法句型
[adjective] + life
life on + [place]
用法筆記
Uncountable — you cannot say 'a life' or 'lives' in this sense. Typically modified by a preceding noun (plant life, wildlife, marine life) or used in the phrase 'signs of life'.
常見錯誤
15. the practice of creating art by observing a real person, object, or scene direct
the practice of creating art by observing a real person, object, or scene directly, rather than using photographs or memory as a reference.
In art class, the students spent the afternoon drawing a vase of flowers from life.
phrase: draw/paint from life
Anya prefers to paint from life because the colours look more natural than in photos.
In drawing class, a live model lets students practise sketching the human form from life.
Soraya's portraits feel so real because she always works from life rather than from pictures.
The museum hired a sculptor to recreate the damaged ancient Greek statue by studying fragments and working from life.
- from a live model
specifically for drawing people, more explicit
- from observation
broader term used in art education
- from memory
drawing without a reference
- from a photograph
using a photo instead of a real subject
文法句型
[verb] + from life
用法筆記
Only used in the fixed phrase 'from life' after verbs like draw, paint, sketch, or work. Related terms: 'life model' (a person who poses), 'still life' (painting of objects).
常見錯誤
16. a legal penalty that keeps a person in prison for many years, often for the rest
a legal penalty that keeps a person in prison for many years, often for the rest of their natural life; a life sentence.
The judge sentenced the man to life in prison for the robbery.
phrase: life in prison
In some countries, a life sentence means the person will never be released.
collocation: life sentence
Tariq's brother received two consecutive life sentences for his crimes.
The federal court sentenced the convicted Russian spy to a life term without the possibility of parole.
After ten years of appeals, the prisoner's life sentence was reduced to twenty years.
- life imprisonment
formal legal term
- life sentence
the official judgment given by a court
- suspended sentence
a punishment that is not served unless another crime is committed
文法句型
[verb] + life
life + [noun]
用法筆記
In legal contexts, 'life imprisonment' is the formal term. The length of time actually served varies by country — it may mean the rest of the person's natural life or a fixed number of years (e.g. 25 years).
常見錯誤
17. one of several chances a player has in a game before being eliminated or having
one of several chances a player has in a game before being eliminated or having to restart from the beginning.
The game gives you three lives, and you start over when you lose them all.
phrase: lose a life / lose all lives
Aoi was on her last life when she finally defeated the final boss.
phrase: last life
If you collect a star, you earn an extra life in this level.
Tamás pressed the wrong button, and his character fell into lava, losing a life.
In the popular video game, each character starts with three lives and loses one every time a monster touches them.
文法句型
have/lose + [number] + lives
use up + all + [possessive] + lives
用法筆記
Countable — you can have one life, two lives, etc. Common in both video games and board games. Often used with the verbs 'lose', 'gain', 'earn', 'save', or 'use up'.
常見錯誤
18. a written work that describes the real events of a person's life and is created
a written work that describes the real events of a person's life and is created by someone else, not by the person who lived it
Aoi is writing a life of the composer that covers his early years in Vienna.
life + of + person — biography noun construction
Aaron borrowed a life of the astronaut from the school library for his book report.
The new life of the scientist includes never-before-published letters from her childhood.
For her history class, Kemi chose to read a detailed life of Nelson Mandela instead of watching a documentary.
Walid's critically acclaimed life of the poet won a national book award last spring.
- biography
the standard modern term; more common in everyday use than life
- life story
less formal, often used for oral or informal accounts rather than a published book
- memoir
usually focuses on a specific period or theme, not the full life, and is often written by the subject
文法句型
life + of + person
用法筆記
In this sense, life is a countable noun, used to mean a biography. It can be followed by of and the name of the person (e.g., a life of Churchill). This usage is more common in formal or literary contexts than the everyday word biography.
常見錯誤
life — adjective
- lifepositive
- lifercomparative
- lifestsuperlative
1. relating to the biological characteristics and processes shared by living organi
relating to the biological characteristics and processes shared by living organisms — used before a noun to form compound terms such as life cycle, life form, life expectancy, and life science
The biology class studied the life cycle of a frog from egg to adult.
collocation: life cycle
Astronomers use powerful radio telescopes to search for signs of life forms on distant planets.
Life expectancy has increased in many countries over the past fifty years.
The museum added a new wing for life sciences like botany and genetics.
Photosynthesis is a life process that happens inside every green plant when sunlight reaches its leaves.
- biological
more general adjective for anything related to living organisms
- organic
relating to or derived from living matter
文法句型
life + noun (life form, life cycle)
用法筆記
Always used before a noun. This sense typically appears as the first part of a compound noun.
常見錯誤
2. continuing or valid for the entire duration of a person's existence, from a part
continuing or valid for the entire duration of a person's existence, from a particular point until death.
The judge gave the convicted bank robber a life sentence for the armed robbery that injured three bystanders.
collocation: life sentence
Antonia has been a life member of the tennis club since 2005.
collocation: life member
Owen received a life ban from the sport after the doping scandal.
Oxford University awarded the elderly professor a life fellowship for his research on tropical diseases.
As a baroness, Noa's life peerage allowed her to participate in parliamentary votes on education reform.
- temporary
lasting only for a limited period
文法句型
life + noun (life sentence, life member)
用法筆記
Always used before a noun. Distinguish from sense 1 (LIVING THINGS): this sense describes duration, not subject matter.
常見錯誤
3. created by observing and drawing a real person or object that is physically pres
created by observing and drawing a real person or object that is physically present in front of the artist, rather than using photographs or imagination.
Priya signed up for a life drawing class at the community art centre.
collocation: life drawing
The artist hired a life model to pose for the portrait session.
collocation: life model
The Tuesday afternoon life class at the art institute helps students understand human anatomy and body proportions.
Wren prefers working from a life model rather than copying photographs.
The gallery exhibition includes both life drawings and abstract paintings.
- imaginary
created from the mind rather than from observation
文法句型
life + noun (life drawing, life class)
用法筆記
Always used before a noun in art-related compound terms. This sense does not appear outside of art or illustration contexts.
4. involving or connected with a financial contract that guarantees a payment to na
involving or connected with a financial contract that guarantees a payment to named beneficiaries after the policyholder dies.
Hui bought a life insurance policy after his first child was born.
collocation: life insurance policy
The life insurance cover pays out fifty thousand dollars to your family if you die in a workplace accident.
collocation: life cover
Selim compared several life policies before choosing the cheapest one.
Lan's life assurance plan includes benefits for critical illness too.
A whole life policy from a reputable insurance company builds cash value steadily over the thirty years you pay premiums.
文法句型
life + noun (life insurance, life policy)
用法筆記
Always used before a noun. 'Life assurance' is more common in British English, while 'life insurance' is standard in American English.