Word
lifeless
Phoneticslife·less, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫaɪfɫəs/
UK/lˈaɪfləs/
Definitions
01dead
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having died or no longer showing signs of life.
adj. having lost biological life; deceased or clinically dead.
“The rescuers found a lifeless body near the edge of the river.”
“The paramedics worked frantically for twenty minutes, but the patient remained lifeless despite their repeated attempts at resuscitation.”
02lacking energy or excitement
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. dull and boring, without any feeling or energy.
adj. lacking vitality, spirit, or animation; often used to describe performances or artistic works.
“The party was lifeless until the music finally started playing.”
“Critics dismissed the sequel as a lifeless imitation of the original, citing the lead actor's wooden performance and a predictable script.”
03unable to support life
C1 · Advanced Science Academic
adj. describing a place where no plants or animals can live.
adj. barren or uninhabited; incapable of sustaining biological organisms.
“The moon is a lifeless world with no air or water.”
“Probes sent to the distant planet confirmed it was a lifeless wasteland, scorched by radiation and devoid of any liquid water.”
04inanimate
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. describing an object that has never been alive, like a rock.
adj. naturally lacking the qualities of living organisms; inanimate.
Español:exánime
“The artist spent hours painting the lifeless objects on the table.”
“The philosopher argued that we should respect the environment, even the lifeless components like mountains and rivers.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“If your coffee is sour, dull, and lifeless but you know it isn’t due to the coffee or your brewing, try changing the water.” “Their cloudy-looking eyes can appear almost lifeless, and parasites are often found attached directly to the eyeballs.” “But despite the film-makers throwing everything at it, it’s all a bit lifeless.” Etymology
From Middle English lyfles, lifles, from Old English līflēas (“lifeless”), equivalent to life + -less. Cognate with West Frisian libbensleas (“lifeless”), Dutch levenloos (“lifeless”), German leblos (“lifeless”), Danish livløs (“lifeless”), Swedish livlös (“lifeless”), Icelandic líflaus (“lifeless”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/lifeless
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0