- 1[intransitive] + adv./prep. to have your home in a particular place to live in a house Where do you live? She needs to find somewhere to live. We used to live in Chicago. Both her children still live at home. (informal) Where do these plates live (= where are they usually kept)?
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be alive - 2[intransitive] to remain alive The doctors said he only had six months to live. Spiders can live for several days without food. live to do something She lived to see her first grandchild.
- 3[intransitive] to be alive, especially at a particular time When did Handel live? He's the greatest player who ever lived. type of life
- 4[intransitive, transitive] to spend your life in a particular way He lived in poverty most of his life. live something She lived a very peaceful life. They lived their lives to the full. + noun She lived and died a single woman. be remembered
- 5[intransitive] to continue to exist or be remembered synonym remain This moment will live in our memory for many years to come. Her words have lived with me all my life. have excitement
- 6[intransitive] to have a full and exciting life I don't want to be stuck in an office all my life—I want to live! Idioms
- 1to still be alive after the time when you were expected to die He's been living on borrowed time ever since his last heart attack.
- 2to be doing something that other people are likely to stop you from doing soon According to the latest opinion polls, the government is living on borrowed time.
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NAmE//lɪv//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they live he / she / it lives
past simple lived
-ing form living
to have enough money to be able to live a very comfortable life
the way of life of a different social group, especially one much richer than you
awake or alive or no longer sick I'm glad to see you're back in the land of the living. We were worried about you. By lunchtime I'd returned to the land of the living.
to live an enjoyable and comfortable life with no problems or responsibilities The two crooks had been living the life of Riley. He planned to retire early and then lead the life of Riley.
to be very enthusiastic about something He just lives and breathes football.
used to express surprise at something new or unexpected you have been told
used to say that you should accept other people's opinions and behavior even though they are different from your own
to earn money by being able to think quickly or sometimes by dishonest means
to spend all the money you earn on basic needs such as food without being able to save any money
to behave as though society, etc. has not changed, when in fact it has
to live together and have a sexual relationship without being married
to enjoy yourself in an exciting way, usually spending a lot of money
to keep something important about yourself a secret from other people, so that they do not know what you really think, what you are really like, etc.
to have enough money to be able to afford expensive things, food, drink, etc.
to eat whatever food you can grow, kill, or find yourself
used to say that although you have failed or had a bad experience, you will continue
used to say that you hope someone or something will live or last for a long time
you should not criticize other people, because they will easily find ways of criticizing you
used to tell someone that if they have not had a particular experience their life is not complete You've never been to New York? You haven't lived! Phrasal Verbslive bylive by doinglive downlive forlive inlive offlive onlive outlive throughlive togetherlive up tolive with
Check pronunciation: live