What does "survive" mean?

1. (to stay alive) to continue to live after a dangerous accident, illness, or disaster. 2. (to live longer than someone) to live longer than another person, especially a family member. 3. (to continue to exist) to continue to exist or be used after a long time. 4. (to avoid relegation) to stay in a top sports league and not be moved to a lower one.

How do you use "survive"?

Often used with 'on' to describe the food or resources used to stay alive. In formal writing, the passive form 'is survived by' is standard for listing living relatives. Intransitive use; does not require a direct object.

survive

US //sɝˈvaɪv// UK //səvˈaɪv// sur·vive

1 to stay alive (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to continue to live after a dangerous accident, illness, or disaster.

to remain alive after a life-threatening event or period of hardship.

Example

The small plants managed to survive the cold winter without any extra protection.

Example

Few species are equipped to survive the extreme temperatures and lack of oxygen found at such high altitudes.

Usage

Often used with 'on' to describe the food or resources used to stay alive.
- endure
- persist
- perish
- die
2 to live longer than someone (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

to live longer than another person, especially a family member.

to outlive another person, typically a relative; often used in formal contexts like obituaries.

Example

She was sad to survive her younger brother by ten years.

Example

The deceased is survived by his wife of fifty years and three adult children.

Usage

In formal writing, the passive form 'is survived by' is standard for listing living relatives.
- outlive
- outlast
- predecease

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3 to continue to exist (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to continue to exist or be used after a long time.

to persist in existence or remain functional despite the passage of time or changing circumstances.

Example

Many ancient traditions still survive in the small mountain villages.

Example

Only a handful of original manuscripts survive from the library's extensive medieval collection.

Usage

Intransitive use; does not require a direct object.
- remain
- last
- disappear
- vanish
4 to avoid relegation (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate British English Sport

to stay in a top sports league and not be moved to a lower one.

to avoid demotion or relegation to a lower division within a competitive league structure.

Example

The team needs to win their final game to survive in the Premier League.

Example

After a disastrous start to the season, the club's primary objective was simply to survive the drop into the second tier.

Teacher's tip

This is a very common metaphor in British football culture.
- stay up
- be relegated

Origin

From Anglo-Norman survivre, Old French survivre, from Late Latin supervivere (“to outlive”), from Latin super (“over”) + vivere (“to live”), akin to vita (“life”). See vivid. Compare devive, revive.