lifetime
gb/lˈaɪftˌaɪm/ us/lˈaɪftˌaɪm/
A2
English
~ 4800
élet, élettartam, vissza nem térő lehetőség, életre szóló élmény
NOUN
A2
1
élet
A1
élettartam
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s lifetime
She achieved more in her lifetime than many do in several.
Többet ért el életében, mint mások több élet alatt.
He collected stamps throughout his lifetime.
Egész életében bélyegeket gyűjtött.
During her lifetime, she traveled to over 50 countries.
My grandfather saw many changes over his lifetime.
The invention changed the course of his lifetime.
Learner examples
He worked hard all his lifetime.
Egész életében keményen dolgozott.
She met many people in her lifetime.
Sok emberrel találkozott élete során.
In my lifetime, I have seen big changes.
They were friends for a lifetime.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'lifetime' with 'lifespan'. 'Lifetime' is often used for people and can be more personal or emotional, while 'lifespan' is more neutral or scientific.
Meaning
Entire span of a person's life
Collocations
in my lifetime
|during his lifetime
|over a lifetime
|average lifetime
Synonyms
lifespan (Often used for both people and animals; slightly more scientific in tone.)
Antonyms
moment (Refers to a very short period of time, the opposite of an entire life span.)
Themes
daily life
|time
|personal
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The whole time that someone is alive.
The total period of time during which a person is alive.
NOUN
B1
2
élettartam
B2
Usage pattern:
[something]'s lifetime
The battery has a lifetime of about five years.
Az akkumulátor élettartama körülbelül öt év.
Regular maintenance can extend the lifetime of your car.
A rendszeres karbantartás meghosszabbíthatja az autó élettartamát.
This paint offers a longer lifetime than standard brands.
The software's lifetime is expected to be at least a decade.
Learner examples
This phone has a short battery lifetime.
Ennek a telefonnak rövid az akkumulátorának az élettartama.
Good care will make the bike's lifetime longer.
A gondos karbantartás meghosszabbítja a bicikli élettartamát.
The light bulb has a long lifetime.
Meaning
Time something remains usable
Collocations
battery lifetime
|product lifetime
|system lifetime
|service lifetime
Synonyms
service life ('Service life' is more technical and often used in engineering contexts.)
Antonyms
failure ('Failure' marks the end of usefulness, the opposite of the usable period.)
Themes
technology
|products
|time
Definition
The time something can be used before it stops working well.
The length of time during which something continues to function or be useful.
NOUN
B1
3
Usage pattern:
[a/an] lifetime [opportunity/experience]
Winning that scholarship was the opportunity of a lifetime.
Az ösztöndíj elnyerése vissza nem térő lehetőség volt számára.
Climbing Mount Everest was truly the experience of a lifetime.
A Mount Everest megmászása valóban életre szóló élmény volt.
Meeting the president was a lifetime moment for her.
Learner examples
This trip is the chance of a lifetime.
Ez az utazás vissza nem térő lehetőség.
It was the best day of my lifetime.
Életem legjobb napja volt.
Meeting my hero was a lifetime experience.
Meaning
Once-in-a-life opportunity
Collocations
a lifetime opportunity
|a lifetime experience
|a trip of a lifetime
Synonyms
once-in-a-lifetime chance ('Once-in-a-lifetime' is a fixed phrase emphasizing rarity.)
Antonyms
everyday occurrence ('Everyday occurrence' refers to something ordinary and frequent, opposite of rare.)
Themes
experiences
|personal
|opportunity
|time
|daily_life
Definition
A very special chance that you will probably have only once in your life.
An event or chance so special that it is likely to happen only once in a person's life.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lifetime
IPA
GB/lˈaɪftˌaɪm/
US/lˈaɪftˌaɪm/
Syllables & stress
life - time (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (life)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: lifetime
- Plural: lifetimes
Word family
Expressions
(the) chance of a lifetime
1/ðə t͡ʃˈæns əv ə lˈaɪftˌaɪm/
fixed phrase
(Best) rare opportunity ever
(The) best and rarest chance you will have in your life.
Examples
- "Getting that internship was the chance of a lifetime for her career."
- "Winning the competition gave him the chance of a lifetime to perform on stage."
(the) experience of a lifetime
1/ðə ɪkspˈɪɹiəns əv ə lˈaɪftˌaɪm/
fixed phrase
(the) experience of a lifetime
(the) experience of a lifetime
once in a lifetime
1/wˈʌns ˈɪn ə lˈaɪftˌaɪm/
fixed phrase
Happens only once ever
Happening only one time in your whole life.
Examples
- "This concert is a once in a lifetime event," said the promoter.
- "Traveling to Antarctica was a once in a lifetime experience for me."