survival
suh-VEYE-vuhl
Survival (noun) means the act or fact of staying alive, especially through danger or difficulty. Example: “Survival in the desert depends on finding water fast.”
noun
1
The act or fact of staying alive, especially through danger or difficulty.
"Survival in the desert depends on finding water fast."
"Her survival after the crash amazed the doctors."
"The survival of the village depended on a good harvest."
2
An old custom, belief, or practice that has lingered on even though people have forgotten why it started.
"Throwing salt over your shoulder is a survival from an old superstition."
"Wearing a tie to work is a survival of a more formal age."
"That strange greeting is a survival of a custom nobody remembers."
How to use survival
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStaying alive, or something old that has stuck around long after its original reason faded.
Common pairings
survival instinct
fight for survival
survival of the fittest
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Word forms
- Plural
- survivals
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ in the desert depends on finding water fast.
Etymology
From survive plus the ending -al, turning the verb into a noun.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for survival
See all rhymes for survival →Frequently asked questions
What does “survival” mean?
The word “survival” means the act or fact of staying alive, especially through danger or difficulty. In plain terms, staying alive, or something old that has stuck around long after its original reason faded.
How do you pronounce “survival”?
“Survival” is pronounced suh-VEYE-vuhl (/sɚˈvaɪ.vəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “survival” in a sentence?
Here is “survival” used in a sentence: “Survival in the desert depends on finding water fast.”
What part of speech is “survival”?
“Survival” is a noun.
Is “survival” a common word?
“Survival” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “survival” have?
“Survival” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act or fact of staying alive, especially through danger or difficulty.
What is the difference between 'survival' and 'existence'?
Survival is the act or fact of staying alive, especially through danger or difficulty, and carries a sense of endurance against threat. Existence simply means the state of being or living, without any implication of struggle or hardship.
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