longevity
gb/lɔnd͡ʒˈɛvəti/ us/lɔnd͡ʒˈɛvəti/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
state
1
long life or lifespan
living for a long time
Usage pattern:
[someone's/something's] longevity; longevity of [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse longevity with length; longevity usually refers to how long a person, animal, or living thing lives.
Synonyms
long life (simpler and more everyday)
|
lifespan (refers more directly to the length of life, not necessarily a long one)
|
life expectancy (usually a statistical average for a group)
Antonyms
short life (the opposite condition of not living long)
|
early death (focuses on dying sooner than expected)
Collocations
human longevity
|increased longevity
|greater longevity
|exceptional longevity
|average longevity
|promote longevity
|improve longevity
|factors in longevity
|the secret to longevity
|longevity research
Themes
health
|aging
|biology
Examples
- Regular exercise and good medical care can contribute to greater longevity.
- The village is famous for the longevity of its residents.
- Researchers are studying the genes that may influence human longevity.
Learner examples
- A healthy diet may help with longevity.
- Her family is known for longevity.
Noun
C1
property
2
long-lasting existence or success
the ability of something to last for a long time
Usage pattern:
the longevity of [something]; [something's] longevity
Common mistake:
Longevity in this sense does not mean physical length; it means long duration or lasting success.
Synonyms
durability (often refers to physical strength or resistance to wear)
|
lasting power (emphasizes the ability to remain popular, effective, or successful)
|
endurance (suggests continuing despite difficulty or pressure)
Antonyms
short-livedness (the quality of lasting only a short time)
|
fragility (suggests being easily damaged or unable to last)
Collocations
product longevity
|brand longevity
|career longevity
|political longevity
|commercial longevity
|cultural longevity
|ensure longevity
|increase longevity
|the longevity of a company
|the longevity of a battery
Themes
business
|work
|technology
|culture
Examples
- The longevity of the brand depends on its ability to attract younger customers.
- Good design can improve the longevity of a product.
- Few pop songs have the cultural longevity of that classic hit.
Learner examples
- The company wants to increase the longevity of its products.
- His career has had impressive longevity.
Grammar
Dictionary form
longevity
IPA
GB/lɔnd͡ʒˈɛvəti/
US/lɔnd͡ʒˈɛvəti/
Syllables & stress
longev - ity (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ity)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: longevity
- Plural: longevities, longevity
Expressions
healthy longevity
1/hˈɛlθi lɔnd͡ʒˈɛvəti/
fixed phrase
long life in good health
living a long life while staying healthy
Examples
- The program focuses on healthy longevity through exercise, nutrition, and preventive care.
- Public health experts want to extend healthy longevity, not just overall lifespan.
- Sleep, social connection, and regular movement are often linked to healthy longevity.
longevity annuity
1/lɔnd͡ʒˈɛvəti ənˈuɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
late-life income insurance
an insurance-like retirement product that pays money later in life if you live a long time
Examples
- Some retirees buy a longevity annuity to protect against outliving their savings.
- A longevity annuity can provide income starting at age 80 or 85.
- Financial advisers may recommend a longevity annuity as part of a retirement plan.
longevity economy
1/lɔnd͡ʒˈɛvəti ɪkˈɑnəmi/
fixed phrase
business
market shaped by older adults
business and economic activity connected with people living longer and older adults buying goods and services
Examples
- Companies are creating new products for the growing longevity economy.
- Travel, housing, finance, and technology are all part of the longevity economy.
- Policymakers see the longevity economy as both a challenge and an opportunity.
longevity escape velocity
1/lɔnd͡ʒˈɛvəti ɪskˈeɪp vəlˈɑsəti/
fixed phrase
technical
lifespan extension outpacing aging
the idea that future medicine might extend life faster than people age
Examples
- Some futurists argue that advances in biotechnology could eventually lead to longevity escape velocity.
- Most scientists treat claims about longevity escape velocity with caution.
- The conference included a debate on whether longevity escape velocity is realistic.
longevity gene
1/lɔnd͡ʒˈɛvəti d͡ʒˈin/
fixed phrase
technical
gene linked to longer life
a gene that may help a person or animal live longer
Examples
- Scientists have identified several possible longevity genes in families with many centenarians.
- A so-called longevity gene may affect how the body responds to cellular stress.
- Lifestyle still matters, even if someone carries genetic variants linked to longevity.
longevity risk
1/lɔnd͡ʒˈɛvəti ɹˈɪsk/
fixed phrase
technical
risk of outliving assumptions
the risk that retirement money or pension funds must last longer because people live longer than expected
Examples
- Pension funds use complex models to estimate longevity risk.
- Annuities can help individuals manage longevity risk in retirement.
- As life expectancy rises, governments face greater longevity risk in public pension systems.