ENGLISH
REFERENCE

way of life

compound.
B1 Intermediate Oxford

compound. the typical habits, customs, and beliefs of a person or a group of people.

compound. the typical manner in which a person or group lives, encompassing social customs, daily habits, and cultural values.


SIMPLE

Farming is a very hard way of life.

CONTEXTUAL

Moving to a small island changed their entire way of life and made them feel more relaxed.

COMPLEX

The rapid expansion of digital technology has fundamentally altered the traditional way of life for many rural communities across the globe.

Usage

often used with adjectives like 'traditional', 'modern', or 'simple' to describe a specific culture or routine.

Teaching tip

encourage students to use this when discussing culture or sociology; it is more holistic than just 'lifestyle' as it often implies deeper values or traditions.

Pitfall

the way of the lifethe way of lifethe phrase is a fixed compound and does not usually take an article before 'life' when speaking generally.

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