Lifelong

/ˈlaɪflɒŋ/

adjectiveBeginnerCommonAcademic

Definitions

1

Lasting for the duration of a person's life.

/ˈlaɪflɒŋ/

adjectiveneutralBeginner
Academic

Lasting or continuing throughout the course of a person's life.

She has been a lifelong resident of the town.

💡 Simply: Imagine something you'll do or have for your whole life, like a hobby or a best friend! Lifelong means it lasts all your life!

👶 For kids: Something that lasts all your life, like your favorite toy!

More Examples

2

He pursued a lifelong career in music.

3

They promised to be lifelong companions.

4

Her lifelong dream was to become a doctor.

How It's Used

General

"A lifelong ambition to travel the world."

Relationships

"They shared a lifelong friendship."

Idioms & expressions

Lifelong learning

The ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons.

"Embracing lifelong learning is essential in today's rapidly changing world."

From Old English *līflang*, from *līf* (life) + *lang* (long). The word has existed in the English language since the Old English period, indicating duration as long as life.

The word 'lifelong' has been used in English since the late Middle English period, initially describing the duration of a life.

Memory tip

Think of something that will last your whole life, like your passions or relationships.

life longlife-long

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written