survive
High (B2 CEFR)Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To continue to live or exist, especially after a dangerous or difficult situation.
To remain in existence or in use; to outlive or endure beyond someone or something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can be used both transitively and intransitively; often implies overcoming adversity or hardship.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Similarly neutral in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
intransitive: subject survivestransitive: subject survives objectwith preposition: survive on somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “survive against all odds”
- “survive by the skin of one's teeth”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Businesses must survive market fluctuations to remain competitive.
Academic
The hypothesis survived rigorous peer review and was published.
Everyday
We need to survive this heatwave by staying hydrated.
Technical
The microbial life survived extreme pressure in the deep sea.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The mountaineers survived the dreadful blizzard in the Alps.
- Can this plant survive the frost?
American English
- The hikers survived the terrible tornado in the Midwest.
- Will the business survive the recession?
adjective
British English
- The surviving passengers were rescued by the coastguard.
- Ancient surviving manuscripts are in the museum.
American English
- The surviving residents rebuilt after the hurricane.
- Few surviving records detail the event.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The kitten survived the cold night.
- Fish need water to survive.
- Many animals cannot survive in the desert.
- She survived the car accident with minor injuries.
- Despite the economic downturn, the company survived and thrived.
- The species has survived climate changes for centuries.
- The philosophical concepts have survived numerous critiques over millennia.
- Organisms that survive extreme environments often exhibit unique adaptations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SURVIVE: Stay Under Rough Vexing Incidents Victoriously Enduring.
Conceptual Metaphor
Life is a struggle where survival requires endurance.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'survive from' directly translated from Russian 'выжить из'; use transitive form or 'survive on'.
- Ensure correct preposition: 'survive on food' not 'survive of food'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'survive from' incorrectly, e.g., 'He survived from the crash' instead of 'He survived the crash'.
- Omitting necessary prepositions, e.g., 'He survives bread' instead of 'He survives on bread'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of 'survive'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can also be used for objects, ideas, or systems that continue to exist, e.g., 'The ancient ruins have survived.'
'Survive' often implies continuing to live or exist after a threat, while 'endure' can mean to suffer patiently or last over time without necessarily facing immediate danger.
Yes, but it is less common; e.g., 'The founder was survived by his children' means the children outlived him.
Use 'on' for means of survival, e.g., 'survive on little food'. Avoid 'from' with the transitive sense; use the object directly, e.g., 'survive the storm' not 'survive from the storm'.