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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | libban |
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live1 S1 W1
1 if you live in a place, you have your home there
in a place/home
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition] live in/at/near etc They lived in Holland for ten years. He lives just across the street from me. We live only a few miles from the coast.
They lived in Holland for ten years.He lives just across the street from me.We live only a few miles from the coast.2 a plant or animal that lives in a particular place grows there or has its home there
plant/animal
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition]3 if you live at a particular time, you are alive then
at a particular time
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition] live before/in/at He lived in the eighteenth century. She lived at a time when women were not expected to work. Gladstone lived during a period of great social change.
He lived in the eighteenth century.She lived at a time when women were not expected to work.Gladstone lived during a period of great social change. the best/greatest etc that/who ever lived (=the best, greatest etc who has been alive at any time) He's probably the best journalist who ever lived.
He's probably the best journalist who ever lived.4 to be alive or be able to stay alive : Without light, plants couldn't live. He is extremely ill and not expected to live. The baby only lived a few hours.
be/stay alive
[intransitive]Without light, plants couldn't live.He is extremely ill and not expected to live.The baby only lived a few hours. live to (be) 80/90 etc/live to the age of 80/90 etc My grandmother lived to 85. She lived to the age of 79.
My grandmother lived to 85.She lived to the age of 79.5 to have a particular type of life, or live in a particular way
way of life
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] live in peace/poverty etc The people in this country just want to live in peace. People should not live in fear of crime. We live in hope that a cure will be found.
The people in this country just want to live in peace.People should not live in fear of crime.We live in hope that a cure will be found. live peacefully/quietly/happily etc The two communities live peacefully alongside each other. Some people like to live dangerously. Most elderly people prefer to live independently if they can.
The two communities live peacefully alongside each other.Some people like to live dangerously.Most elderly people prefer to live independently if they can.6 the way that someone lives is the way that they earn money to buy food etc : Fishing is the way their families have lived for generations.
earn a living
[intransitive]Fishing is the way their families have lived for generations.7 to have an exciting life : She wanted to get out and live a little. We're beginning to live at last!
exciting life
[intransitive]She wanted to get out and live a little.We're beginning to live at last!8 to imagine that things are happening to you
imagine something
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition]9 the place where something lives is the place where it is kept : Where do these cups live? Those big dishes live in the cupboard next to the fridge.
be kept somewhere
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition] British English informalWhere do these cups live?Those big dishes live in the cupboard next to the fridge.10 if an idea lives, it continues to exist and influence people : Democracy still lives!
still exist/have influence
[intransitive]Democracy still lives!11 the part of a building where people live, especially a building that is used by many people or is used for several different purposes : the White House living quarters
living quarters
the White House living quarters12 the money you need to spend in order to live, for example on food or a house : His tuition is paid, but he'll work to cover his living expenses.
living expenses
His tuition is paid, but he'll work to cover his living expenses.13 the way someone organizes how and where they will live : Her mother disapproved of the living arrangements, saying that two girls living with four boys was bound to cause problems.
living arrangements
Her mother disapproved of the living arrangements, saying that two girls living with four boys was bound to cause problems.14 to do things that you enjoy and spend a lot of money : Sam was living it up in London.
live it up
informalSam was living it up in London.16 to pretend all the time that you feel or believe something when actually you do not feel that way : I knew that I could not continue to live a lie.
live a lie
I knew that I could not continue to live a lie.17 to be still alive after the time that you were expected to die : She's been living on borrowed time for the last year.
be living on borrowed time
She's been living on borrowed time for the last year.18 if people live in sin, they live together and have a sexual relationship without being married [↪ live together]
live in sin
old-fashioned19 to enjoy doing something so much that you spend most of your time on it : Politics is the stuff I live and breathe.
live and breathe something
Politics is the stuff I live and breathe.20 used to say that you have just learned something that you did not know before
you live and learn
spoken21 used to say that you should accept other people's behaviour, even if it seems strange
live and let live
22 used to say that someone's life will be boring if they do not do a particular exciting thing : You haven't lived until you've tasted champagne.
you haven't lived (if/until...)
spokenYou haven't lived until you've tasted champagne.23 used to say that someone will wish that they had not done something : If you marry him, you'll live to regret it.
somebody will live to regret it
If you marry him, you'll live to regret it.24 to continue to live or work after a failure or after you have dealt with a difficult situation : Hopefully, the company will live to fight another day.
live to see/fight another day
Hopefully, the company will live to fight another day.25 to enjoy doing a lot of different things : She believes in living life to the full.
live life to the full
She believes in living life to the full.26 used to say that someone has a nice life because they have a lot of money and buy expensive things - often used to show disapproval
live high on the hog
27 to have only just enough money to buy food : We lived from hand to mouth, never knowing where the next meal was coming from.
live from hand to mouth
We lived from hand to mouth, never knowing where the next meal was coming from.29 used to say that you hope something continues to exist for a long time : Long live free education!
long live democracy/freedom etc
Long live free education!live something ↔ down
phrasal verbShe'll never live that down!live for something
phrasal verbHe lived for his art.She had nothing left to live for.live in
phrasal verbSometimes it can be easier if you have a nanny who lives in.live off somebody/something
phrasal verbMom used to live off the interest from her savings.Dad lost his job and we had to live off welfare.live on
phrasal verb1 if something lives on, it continues to exist : Alice's memory will live on.
Alice's memory will live on.2 to have a particular amount of money to buy food and other necessary things : I don't know how they manage to live on £55 a week. the number of families who live on benefits
live on something
I don't know how they manage to live on £55 a week.the number of families who live on benefits3 to eat a lot of a particular type of food : They live on bread and potatoes. He practically lives on fish and chips!
live on something
They live on bread and potatoes.He practically lives on fish and chips!live out
phrasal verb1 British English if someone lives out, they do not live in the place where they work : Most home helps prefer to live out.
Most home helps prefer to live out.2 to experience or do something that you have planned or hoped for [= fulfil, realize]: The money enabled them to live out their dreams.
live out something
The money enabled them to live out their dreams.3 to continue to live in a particular way or place until you die : He lived out his life in solitude.
live out your life
He lived out his life in solitude.live through something
phrasal verbthe generation that lived through the Second World WarIt was hard to describe the nightmare she had lived through.live together
phrasal verbThey lived together for two years before they got married.live up to something
phrasal verbThe bank is insolvent and will be unable to live up to its obligations.live with somebody/something
phrasal verb1 to accept a difficult situation that is likely to continue for a long time [= put up with, tolerate]: You have to learn to live with stress. He has lived with his illness for most of his life.
You have to learn to live with stress.He has lived with his illness for most of his life.2 to live in the same house as someone and have a sexual relationship with them without being married [↪ live together]: She's living with her boyfriend now.
She's living with her boyfriend now.3 if something lives with you, it stays in your mind : That episode has lived with me all my life.
That episode has lived with me all my life.