Word
lived
US/ˈɫaɪvd/
UK/lˈɪvd/
Definitions
01past tense of live
A1 · Beginner
v. used to say that you had your home in a certain place in the past.
v. the past tense of 'live', indicating a previous state of residence or existence.
“My grandparents lived in a small house near the sea for forty years.”
“Before relocating to the capital for work, the family lived in a remote village where they managed a small organic farm.”
Usage
The past tense form of 'live'.
02having a certain lifespan
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having a specific length of life; usually used with another word like 'long' or 'short'.
adj. having a life or existence of a specified duration; almost exclusively used as the second element in compound adjectives.
“Butterflies are often short-lived, surviving for only a few weeks.”
“The joy of the victory proved short-lived as the team faced a series of injuries in the following week.”
Usage
Typically appears in compound forms such as 'long-lived' or 'short-lived'.
Teaching tip
In the compound 'short-lived', some speakers pronounce the 'i' as a long vowel (like 'life'), while others use a short vowel (like 'give'). Both are acceptable.
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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
- アルファベット
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