Beginning early enough and continuing for the remainder of a person's life.
Reach for it when describing a relationship, interest, condition, or commitment that spans a lifetime
A childhood visit began her lifelong fascination with bridges.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
playful
from cradle to grave
Fits when a vivid informal phrase for the whole lifespan fits
Careful The phrase sounds flippant in sensitive personal contexts.
everyday
Fits when long duration matters without claiming an entire lifetime
Careful Lasting is safer when the beginning or endpoint is unknown.
professional
long-term
Fits when a multi-year commitment or effect is meant
Careful Long-term falls well short of lifelong.
formal
permanent
Fits when the state cannot or will not be reversed
Careful Permanent may extend beyond one lifetime and is an absolute claim.
literary
Fits when deep feeling remains reliably present
Careful Abiding suits emotions and values more than medical or practical conditions.
literary
Fits when survival through difficulty gives the duration emotional weight
Careful Enduring does not specifically cover a whole life.
lifelong friend
A lifelong friend recognized the old melody immediately.
lifelong learning
Her commitment to lifelong learning continued after retirement.
lifelong passion
Bird conservation became his lifelong passion.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated
Your browser isn't saving lists, so this one will be cleared when you leave the page.