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

A prisoner serving a life sentence.

"The lifers in the prison yard had little to lose."

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 notes

In 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

Word forms

lifers plural

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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

heifer Lucifer Jennifer

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.