lifelong
Lifelong (adj) means lasting for someone's entire life. Example: “They remained lifelong friends after meeting at university.”
How to use lifelong
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishContinuing for a whole life, from start to finish.
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They remained _____ friends after meeting at university.
Etymology
Formed from life + long, describing something that stretches across a whole lifetime.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for lifelong
See all rhymes for lifelong →Frequently asked questions
What does “lifelong” mean?
The word “lifelong” means lasting for someone's entire life. In plain terms, continuing for a whole life, from start to finish.
How do you pronounce “lifelong”?
“Lifelong” is pronounced LYF-lawng (/ˈlaɪf.lɔːŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lifelong” in a sentence?
Here is “lifelong” used in a sentence: “They remained lifelong friends after meeting at university.”
What part of speech is “lifelong”?
“Lifelong” is an adjective.
Is “lifelong” a common word?
“Lifelong” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "lifelong" and "life-long"?
"Lifelong" and "life-long" refer to the same meaning — lasting for someone's entire life — and differ only in spelling style. "Lifelong" (one word, no hyphen) is the standard modern spelling in most style guides.
What is the difference between "lifelong" and "permanent"?
"Lifelong" specifically means lasting for a person's whole life, such as a lifelong friendship or lifelong learning. "Permanent" is broader and doesn't require a connection to a person's lifespan — a permanent fixture, for example, isn't tied to anyone's life.
Is "lifelong" used only to describe people?
No, "lifelong" is commonly applied to relationships, habits, interests, or commitments that persist through someone's entire life, such as a "lifelong passion" or "lifelong resident." It describes duration relative to a person's life rather than the person directly.