life Meaning in Cambridge English Dictionary
English (UK)
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Meaning of “life” in English Dictionary

"life" in British English

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lifenoun

uk   us   /laɪf/ (plural lives)
A1 [C or U] the period between birth and death, or the experience or state of being alive: Life's too short to worry about money! I'm not sure I want to spend the rest of my life with him. Unfortunately, accidents are part of life. He went mad towards the end of his life. Cats are supposed to have nine lives. He doesn't know what he really wants in/out of life. The accident changed my whole outlook on life. He lost his life (= died suddenly because of a violent event or accident) in the Great War. A simple mixture of glucose and water can save lives in many parts of the world. He ran off with her life savings (= all the money she had saved).
See also
afterlife
pro-life
B1 [C or U] a way of living or a particular part of someone's life: her family/private/sex life my working life We interviewed senior politicians, famous writers, and others in public life. Drugs and violence are deeply rooted in American life. I left home at 16 to see life (= have different experiences with a lot of people in lots of places). Teaching has been her life (= the most important and enjoyable thing in her life).C2 [C usually singular] the period for which a machine or organization lasts: The newer batteries have a much longer life. Careful use will prolong the life of your machine. The legislation won't be passed during the life of the present parliament.› [U] the quality that makes people, animals, and plants different from objects, substances, and things that are dead: The doctor could find no sign of life in the old man's body.figurative I looked through the window but I couldn't see any signs of life (= people moving).B2 [U] energy or enthusiasm: She's so full of life.B1 [U] everything that is alive: human/marine/plant life› [U] specialized art In art, if you work from life, you paint, draw, etc. real people or objects, usually while they are in front of you rather than from memory: life drawing classes› [C] informal especially in children's games, one of the limited number of times that you can lose, but still continue playing: Every time the little man gets hit, you lose a life.bring sth to life › to make something more real or exciting: It's always been an interesting period in history and this film really brought it to life.come to life › to become more real or exciting: The game really came to life in the second half.for life C1 for the whole of a person's life: I believe marriage is for life.give your life (also lay down your life) › to be willing to die in order to defend or support someone or something: They were ready to give their lives for their country.life after death › If you believe in life after death, you believe that people continue to exist in some form after they die.start a new life (also make a new life for yourself) › to completely change how or where you live: She decided to start a new life in Australia.
More examples
Idioms
be (all) part of life's rich tapestry/pageant
be one/another of life's great mysteries
for the life of you
get a life!
give your life to sth
how's life (treating you)?
lead/live the life of Riley
the life and soul of the party
the man/woman in sb's life
not on your life!
scare/frighten the life out of sb
take your (own) life
take sb's life
take your life in your hands
that's life!
this is the life!
to the life
(Definition of life from the Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

"life" in American English

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lifenoun

 us   /lɑɪf/

life noun (TIME BEING ALIVE)

› [C/U] (plural lives  /lɑɪvz/ ) the period between birth and death, or the state of being alive: [U] Life is too short to worry about money! [C] Cats are supposed to have nine lives.› [C/U] (plural lives  /lɑɪvz/ ) Life is also anything that is alive: [U] animal/plant lifelife after death › If you believe in life after death, you believe that a person continues to exist in some way after dying.

life noun (EXPERIENCE)

› [C/U] a particular type or part of someone’s experience: [U] She appreciates life in the United States. [U] A vacation is a pleasant change from everyday life. [C] He rarely talks about his private life.

life noun (TIME SOMETHING WORKS)

› [U] the period during which a machine or object that produces power works: The newer batteries have a much longer life – up to 100 hours.

life noun (ENERGY)

› [U] energy or enthusiasm: The show was full of life.
(Definition of life from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

"life" in Business English

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lifenoun

uk   us   /laɪf/ (plural lives /laɪvz/ )
› [C ] the amount of time that something exists or works: the life of a mortgage/loan/investment He would reach retirement during the life of the mortgage.begin/start life The firm began life as a direct marketing company.
› [C] the amount of time that something can be used: Increasing the battery life of the phone is important. If the maintenance continues at its current level, the useful life of the facility will be significantly shortened.
› [C or U] the time that someone is alive, the things that happen to them, and the way they spend their time: The hit TV series was inspired by the life of the comedian Chris Rock. She says she was inspired to a life of public service by her father. Matt is someone who enjoys life to the full.
› [C] the time that someone spends doing particular things: personal/private life This job doesn't leave much time for a personal life. I've met a lot of interesting people in my working life.
› [ U] a way of living that is typical of a particular place or situation: city/country/town life I'm not somebody who longs for city life. corporate/civilian/military life daily/day-to-day/everyday life
See also
depreciable life
economic life
expectation of life
job for life
non-life
shelf life
(Definition of life from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
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