Survive
/sərˈvaɪv/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo continue to live or exist, especially after facing a difficult or dangerous situation.
/sərˈvaɪv/
To continue to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship.
Despite the harsh winter, the plants managed to survive.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're stranded on a desert island. 'Survive' means to keep living, even when things are tough like finding food and shelter. It’s about making it through a hard time.
👶 For kids: To stay alive, even when things are scary or hard.
More Examples
Only a few of the original crew members survived the storm.
She survived a serious illness and made a full recovery.
How It's Used
"The shipwreck survivors struggled to survive on the deserted island."
"Many species have struggled to survive climate change."
To continue to function or exist, especially in challenging conditions or after a disruptive event.
/sərˈvaɪv/
To remain functional or in use.
The building survived the earthquake, although it sustained some damage.
💡 Simply: Like a toy that keeps working even when it gets a little beat up. 'Survive' means to stay okay and keep doing what it's supposed to do, even when things aren't easy, like a broken computer trying to keep working.
👶 For kids: To keep working or keep being used, even when something bad happens.
More Examples
The company is struggling to survive the changing market conditions.
My old car barely survived the long road trip.
How It's Used
"The old computer barely survived the software update."
"The small business struggled to survive during the economic downturn."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
survival of the fittest
The concept that the organisms best adapted to their environment are the ones most likely to survive and reproduce.
"In the harsh economic climate, only the survival of the fittest businesses thrived."
From Middle English *surviven*, from Old French *survivre* ('to outlive'), from Latin *supervivere* ('to live beyond, outlive'), from *super* ('above, beyond') + *vivere* ('to live').
The word 'survive' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to living longer than someone else.
Memory tip
Think of the 'survival' show: they continue to live, outlasting the challenges.