# lived

/ˈɫaɪvd/ (US) · /lˈɪvd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lived
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. having a certain lifespan

adjective · CEFR B2

used in combined words to describe how long something lasts.

For teachers: used in hyphenated compounds to indicate the duration or nature of a life or existence.

- The joy of the victory was short-lived because they lost the next game.
- The peace treaty proved to be short-lived, as border disputes erupted again only months after the signing ceremony.

Usage: Almost exclusively used in compounds like 'short-lived' or 'long-lived'.

Teaching tip: Note the pronunciation change: in 'short-lived', the 'i' is often pronounced as a long /aɪ/ (like 'life'), though the short /ɪ/ (like 'live') is also common.

## Examples

- I have lived in this city for ten years.
- Many families have lived in this coastal village for generations, making their living from the sea.
- The philosopher lived a quiet life of contemplation, rarely venturing beyond the stone walls of his garden despite his growing international reputation.

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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.