Is 'lifework' a common word?

No, it is a low-frequency, formal word most often found in written biographies, academic texts, or solemn speeches.

Can 'lifework' be used for a living person?

Yes, but it often implies the work is largely complete or definitive. It's more commonly used retrospectively about someone's completed life output.

What's the difference between 'career' and 'lifework'?

'Career' is neutral, describing one's professional journey. 'Lifework' is evaluative and holistic, emphasizing the singular, defining output or purpose of that journey.

Should it be spelled as one word or two?

The standard modern spelling is as one closed compound: 'lifework'. The hyphenated 'life-work' is an older variant sometimes still seen.

Is “lifework” formal?

Lifework is usually formal, literary, academic in register.

How do you pronounce “lifework”?

Lifework: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪfˌwɜːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪfˌwɝːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

lifework: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low

UK/ˈlaɪfˌwɜːk/US/ˈlaɪfˌwɝːk/

Formal, Literary, Academic

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “lifework” mean?

The main or total work undertaken during a person's lifetime.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The main or total work undertaken during a person's lifetime; a person's life's work or principal career achievement.

Can also refer to a work considered as the lasting product or central preoccupation of a creative individual's life. Sometimes used more loosely to describe a significant, long-term project or commitment.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning. The spelling as one word ('lifework') is standard in both, though the hyphenated form 'life-work' is also occasionally seen.

Connotations

Slightly more literary or philosophical in tone in both varieties.

Frequency

Equally low-frequency in both dialects. More common in biographical or evaluative contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “lifework” in a Sentence

[possessive pronoun] lifeworkthe lifework of [person]to dedicate oneself to [one's] lifework

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

dedicate to one's lifeworkconsider one's lifeworksummation of his lifeworkculmination of her lifework

medium

complete his lifeworklifework of the artistdefine her lifeworkbody of lifework

weak

important lifeworkgreat lifeworkentire lifeworkpersonal lifework

Examples

Examples of “lifework” in a Sentence

verb

British English

American English

adverb

British English

American English

adjective

British English

American English

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare. Might be used in the context of a founder's vision or legacy.

Academic

Used in biographies, art history, and philosophy to discuss a scholar's or artist's total output.

Everyday

Very rare in casual conversation. Used for emphasis on a major personal achievement.

Technical

Not typically used in technical fields.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “lifework”

Strong

opus vitaelegacylifelong pursuit

Neutral

life's workmagnum opuscareer achievement

Weak

main workmajor projectprincipal output

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “lifework”

hobby sideline diversionminor work

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “lifework”

Using it to mean 'work-life balance'.
Using it as a synonym for 'career' in general (it's more specific).
Confusing it with 'life work' as in social work (though that is a related but distinct compound).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, it is a low-frequency, formal word most often found in written biographies, academic texts, or solemn speeches.
: Yes, but it often implies the work is largely complete or definitive. It's more commonly used retrospectively about someone's completed life output.
: 'Career' is neutral, describing one's professional journey. 'Lifework' is evaluative and holistic, emphasizing the singular, defining output or purpose of that journey.
: The standard modern spelling is as one closed compound: 'lifework'. The hyphenated 'life-work' is an older variant sometimes still seen.
: The main or total work undertaken during a person's lifetime.
: Lifework is usually formal, literary, academic in register.
: Lifework: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪfˌwɜːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪfˌwɝːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“The capstone of one's lifework.”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'LIFE' + 'WORK' = the work that *defines* a life.

Conceptual Metaphor

LIFE IS A WORK OF ART / A LIFE'S OUTPUT IS A MONUMENT.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The restoration of the historic manor house was the architect's , spanning four decades.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the term 'lifework'?