# life

/ˈɫaɪf/ (US) · /lˈaɪf/ (UK) · CEFR A1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/life
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the quality that makes people, animals, and plants different from rocks or machines. It also means the time between when you are born and when you die.

For teachers: the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth and reproduction. Also refers to the period between birth and death or the experience of being alive.

## Examples

- She wants to live a long and happy life.
- Scientists are searching for signs of life on other planets to see if we are alone in the universe.
- The biographer spent years researching the subject's private life to understand how personal struggles influenced his public political decisions.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The life is hard sometimes." but "Life is hard sometimes." — When talking about life in general, do not use the definite article 'the'.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the general state of existence; countable when referring to individual experiences or specific spans of time.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.