lifelong

adjective

life·​long ˈlīf-ˌlȯŋ How to pronounce lifelong (audio)
Synonyms of lifelongnext
1
: lasting or continuing through life
a lifelong friendship
2
: long-standing

Examples of lifelong in a Sentence

He had a lifelong love of nature.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hathaway, a New York City native and lifelong Knicks fan, was jokingly credited for their change in fortune by yours truly and a host of others. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026 Her story shows how early inspiration can grow into a lifelong commitment to connecting with and serving others. — The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026 In April 2022, Wynonna and Ashley’s mother, Naomi Judd, died by suicide at 76 after a lifelong battle with depression. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 McGuane extends care to the ignored and the abhorrent—Peggy, the matriarch, fails at protecting her daughter not once but twice, with lifelong consequences the family all but ignores. — Ryan Chapman, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lifelong

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lifelong was in 1613

Rhymes for lifelong

See All Rhymes for lifelong

Browse Nearby Words

life list
lifelong
lifeman
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lifelong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifelong. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

lifelong

adjective
life·​long ˈlī-ˌflȯŋ How to pronounce lifelong (audio)
: continuing or lasting through life
a lifelong love for trees
a lifelong friendship

More from Merriam-Webster on lifelong

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lifelong

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of inscrutable

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All