noun
lifer
LEYE-fuh
Lifer (noun) means a prisoner serving a life sentence. Example: “The lifers in the prison yard had little to lose.”
noun
1
A prisoner serving a life sentence.
"The lifers in the prison yard had little to lose."
2
Someone who has spent their whole career, or a very long time, in one job, organization, or way of life.
"She's a company lifer, having worked there for thirty years."
"He's a military lifer — he joined at eighteen and never left."
How to use lifer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone locked into something for life — either a prisoner or, more casually, a career veteran.
When to use it
The "career veteran" sense is informal.
Common pairings
a lifer in prison
company lifer
army lifer
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Word forms
- Plural
- lifers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ in the prison yard had little to lose.
Etymology
Formed from life + the agent suffix -er, originally referring to someone serving a life prison term.
Rhymes for lifer
See all rhymes for lifer →Frequently asked questions
What does “lifer” mean?
The word “lifer” means a prisoner serving a life sentence. In plain terms, someone locked into something for life — either a prisoner or, more casually, a career veteran.
How do you pronounce “lifer”?
“Lifer” is pronounced LEYE-fuh (/ˈlaɪfə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “lifer” in a sentence?
Here is “lifer” used in a sentence: “The lifers in the prison yard had little to lose.”
What part of speech is “lifer”?
“Lifer” is a noun.
How many meanings does “lifer” have?
“Lifer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a prisoner serving a life sentence.
