Word
lifetime
Phoneticslife·time, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫaɪfˌtaɪm/
UK/lˈaɪftaɪm/
Definitions
01duration of life
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. the period of time during which someone is alive.
n. the duration of a person's life from birth to death.
日本語:生涯※
Español:vida
“He saw many incredible changes in technology during his lifetime.”
“The scientist dedicated her entire lifetime to researching rare tropical plants in the hope of finding new medicinal compounds.”
Usage
Often used with possessive adjectives like 'my lifetime' or 'her lifetime'.
02functional period
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the length of time that a machine or product stays useful.
n. the period during which a physical object or system remains functional or relevant.
日本語:寿命※
“The battery has a lifetime of about three years before it needs replacing.”
“Engineers are working to extend the operational lifetime of the satellite to ensure it can continue transmitting data for another decade.”
Usage
Commonly used in technical or consumer contexts regarding product durability.
Synonyms
03a very long time
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. a very long period of time, often used when you are waiting for something.
n. a hyperbolic reference to an exceptionally long duration of time.
“It felt like a lifetime before the doctor finally came out to speak to us.”
“In the fast-moving world of digital fashion, six months can feel like a lifetime for a brand trying to stay relevant.”
Usage
Usually appears in the singular with the indefinite article 'a'.
Teaching tip
Remind students that this is an exaggeration; it doesn't literally mean a person's whole life.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “lifetime” in context.
Verb
01. last a lifetime
“A high-quality leather jacket is expensive, but it will last a lifetime.”
verb + noun
02. spend a lifetime
“He spent a lifetime researching the migration patterns of rare birds.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. average lifetime
“The average lifetime of a domestic cat is about fifteen years.”
adj + noun
04. entire lifetime
“She lived in the same small village for her entire lifetime.”
adj + noun
Noun
05. achievement of a lifetime
“Winning the Olympic gold medal was the achievement of a lifetime for the young athlete.”
noun + of + noun
06. opportunity of a lifetime
“Winning the scholarship to study in Paris was the opportunity of a lifetime.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
07. in a lifetime
“Events of this magnitude only happen once in a lifetime.”
prep + noun
08. within a lifetime
“Technology has changed more within a single lifetime than in the previous century.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“In Sidmouth, families gathered to watch the event, with children describing it as a "once in a lifetime opportunity" and others comparing the shape of the Sun to a banana.” “While Fofana spent a lifetime waiting for the child she never held, Naju Ceesay, 58, spent hers remembering the children she lost.” Etymology
From Middle English lyftyme, equivalent to life + time. Cognate with Icelandic líftími (“lifetime”). Compare also Saterland Frisian Lieuwendstied, Dutch leeftijd and levenstijd, German Low German Levenstied, German Lebenszeit, Danish livstid, Swedish livstid.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- 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
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/lifetime
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0