lifetime

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'lifetime' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the span of time a person is alive, or to refer to a very long period of time, usually a long time from the present. For example, "I've been attending this school for my lifetime".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Sport

Books

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reading it will feel like a lifetime for you.

The Guardian - Books

With a 59% drop from the previous frame, Age of Ultron fell harder than any other film in the top 10, and does not look set for a similarly powerful run, probably falling shy of £50m lifetime.

The Guardian - Film

It is intended to recall the grim statement by Sir Edward Grey, then foreign secretary, in August 1914: "The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime".

The Guardian

Morricone has written hundreds of scores for cinema and television, and is one of the only film composers to have received an honorary Oscar for his lifetime achievement.

The Guardian - Music

"In the past few years, Mr Rafsanjani has always talked about a letter he wrote in 1988 to Imam [Ruhollah] Khomeini [supreme leader until his death in 1989] in which he beseeched the founder of the Islamic Revolution to solve the problem of Iran's relations with the US during his lifetime, arguing that no one else would be able to do so after his death.

The Guardian

Watching Andrew Flintoff bat this summer has been like watching someone get used to a knife and fork after a lifetime eating with his fingers.

The Guardian - Sport

The prime minister, who warned of a "generational struggle" against a "poisonous and extremist ideology" that will last for the rest of his political lifetime, wrote: "I agree that we should avoid sending armies to fight or occupy.

The Guardian

Using twilight's unique qualities, you'll capture some of the best pictures you've ever taken on your DSLR camera – and learn skills of perception that will last a lifetime.

The Guardian

"In our lifetime we have seen education stop being available to everyone on equal terms.

The Guardian - Books

The workforce has been transformed more in half a lifetime than in any previous period in capitalism.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I am encouraged to see that development aid remains at a historic high at a time when donor countries are still emerging from the toughest economic crisis of our lifetime," said the OECD secretary general, José Ángel Gurría.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing achievements or impacts, use "lifetime" to emphasize the entirety of someone's work or influence. For example, 'He dedicated his lifetime to environmental conservation.'

Common error

Avoid using "lifetime" when referring to shorter, defined periods. For instance, instead of saying 'The warranty covers the product's lifetime', specify 'The warranty covers the product for 5 years'.

Linguistic Context

The term "lifetime" primarily functions as a noun, denoting the duration of a life or existence. It can also act as an adjective, modifying other nouns, for example, 'lifetime achievement'. As stated in Ludwig, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Sport

13%

Books

12%

Less common in

Film

11%

Money

4%

Travel

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lifetime" is a versatile noun and adjective that refers to the duration of a life or a significant period. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct and usable in written English. It is grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, sport and books. While commonly used, it's important to use it accurately to avoid vagueness or misrepresentation of time frames. Understanding its usage helps to create clear and impactful statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

duration of life

Focuses on the period that something exists.

span of existence

Emphasizes the extent of something's being.

period of being

Highlights the time during which something exists or occurs.

length of life

Indicates how long something lives.

entire existence

Refers to the whole period that someone or something is alive or real.

course of life

Stresses the path that life takes.

life's duration

It is a more formal way to talk about how long life continues.

whole career

Refers to the entire span of a professional life.

one's days

A poetic or literary way to describe someone's lifetime.

a long period

Focuses on extended time.

FAQs

How can I use "lifetime" in a sentence?

You can use "lifetime" to refer to the duration of someone's life, as in, "She dedicated her "lifetime" to helping others", or to describe a very long time, such as, "It felt like a "lifetime" waiting for the bus".

What are some synonyms for "lifetime"?

Alternatives to "lifetime" include "duration of life", "span of existence", or "length of life", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "lifetime" to describe a company's existence?

Yes, you can use "lifetime" to describe a company's existence, as in, "The company has contributed significantly to the community throughout its "lifetime"".

What's the difference between "lifetime" and "lifespan"?

"Lifetime" generally refers to the period someone is alive or something exists, while "lifespan" specifically denotes the typical or maximum length of time an organism can live or an object can function. While they can be used interchangeably sometimes, lifespan is more biologically specific.