lifetime: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “lifetime” mean?
The period of time during which a person or thing is alive, exists, or functions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The period of time during which a person or thing is alive, exists, or functions; the duration of one's life.
A long period, an exceptionally long time; used hyperbolically. Also used attributively to denote something that lasts for the duration of a person's life, or is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or grammatical usage. The hyphenated form 'life-time' is archaic and rarely used in either variety.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English in attributive use (e.g., 'lifetime achievement award', 'lifetime warranty'), but commonly used in both.
Grammar
How to Use “lifetime” in a Sentence
preposition + possessive + lifetime (e.g., in his lifetime)preposition + indefinite article + lifetime (e.g., of a lifetime)possessive + lifetime (e.g., her lifetime ambition)adjective + lifetime (e.g., average lifetime)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lifetime” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- A lifetime subscription to the magazine seemed a wise investment.
- He received a lifetime ban from the football grounds.
American English
- The car comes with a lifetime warranty on the powertrain.
- She was honoured with a lifetime achievement award.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing for guarantees ('lifetime warranty') and in HR for achievements ('lifetime contribution').
Academic
Used in demography, sociology, and physics (e.g., 'half-life').
Everyday
Common in hyperbolic expressions ('I haven't seen you in a lifetime!') and discussing major opportunities.
Technical
In physics/engineering: 'mean lifetime' of a particle or component.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lifetime”
- Using 'lifelong' interchangeably in all contexts ('lifelong' is an adjective, e.g., 'lifelong friend'; 'lifetime' is a noun).
- Misspelling as 'life time'.
- Using with incorrect prepositions (e.g., 'during my lifetime' is correct; 'on my lifetime' is wrong).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single, compound word: 'lifetime'. The two-word form 'life time' is archaic and incorrect in modern English.
'Lifetime' is primarily a noun (e.g., 'during his lifetime'). 'Lifelong' is an adjective meaning 'lasting for a lifetime' (e.g., 'a lifelong friend'). You can say 'a lifetime friend' but 'a lifelong friend' is more idiomatic.
Yes, though less common. It is used when comparing different periods of existence, often in philosophical or metaphorical contexts (e.g., 'He believed he had lived many lifetimes').
No. 'Once in a lifetime' is a phrase, not a compound adjective. However, when it precedes a noun as a modifier, it is hyphenated: 'a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity'.
The period of time during which a person or thing is alive, exists, or functions.
Lifetime is usually neutral to formal in register.
Lifetime: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪf.taɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪf.taɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Once in a lifetime”
- “The chance of a lifetime”
- “A lifetime ago”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of LIFE + TIME combined into one word: the total TIME of your LIFE.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY (a lifetime is the duration of the journey); TIME IS A CONTAINER (experiences are stored within a lifetime).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'lifetime' used correctly as an attributive adjective?