survival
gb/sɚvˈaɪvəl/ us/sɚvˈaɪvəl/
B1
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
continuing to live despite danger
When a person, animal, or thing stays alive during danger or hard times.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s survival
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'survival' with 'survivor'. 'Survival' is the state of staying alive; 'survivor' is the person who stays alive.
Synonyms
endurance (Focuses more on lasting through difficulty, not necessarily life-or-death.)
Antonyms
death (The end of life, the opposite of staying alive.)
Collocations
fight for survival
|struggle for survival
|ensure survival
|chance of survival
|basic survival
Themes
life
|health
|danger
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The hikers' survival depended on finding fresh water.
- Survival in the desert requires special skills.
- Her survival after the accident was called a miracle.
- Survival rates for this disease have improved.
- They told an incredible story of survival at sea.
Learner examples
- His survival was lucky.
- Survival in the cold is hard.
- We need food for survival.
- She told a story of survival.
- The man fought for his survival.
Noun
B2
state
2
continuing existence over time
When something like a tradition or group continues to exist for a long time.
Usage pattern:
the survival of [something]
Synonyms
preservation (Emphasizes keeping something in its original state.)
Antonyms
extinction (Complete disappearance of something.)
Collocations
survival of traditions
|survival of the company
|survival of democracy
|survival into the modern era
Themes
culture
|history
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The survival of these customs is important to our culture.
- Funding is essential for the museum's survival.
- The treaty ensured the survival of peace between the nations.
- The survival of the language depends on young speakers.
Learner examples
- We hope for the survival of this tradition.
- The survival of the team is important.
- Money helps the survival of the school.
- The festival helps the survival of our culture.
Noun
technical
B2
event
3
natural selection process
In science, when animals or plants that fit their place best stay alive and have young.
Synonyms
natural selection (Scientific term for the process described.)
Collocations
survival of the fittest
Themes
science
|biology
Examples
- Survival of the fittest is a key concept in evolution.
- In nature, competition leads to the survival of stronger individuals.
- The book explains how survival depends on adaptation.
Learner examples
- Survival of the fittest means strong animals live.
- In nature, survival is not easy.
- Survival needs good adaptation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
survival
IPA
GB/sɚvˈaɪvəl/
US/sɚvˈaɪvəl/
Syllables & stress
sur - viv - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sur)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: survival
- Plural: survival, survivals
Word family
Expressions
basic survival skills
2/bˈeɪsɪk sɚvˈaɪvəl skˈɪlz/
fixed phrase
essential abilities to stay alive
Important things you must know to live in nature or danger.
Examples
- Campers should learn basic survival skills before going into the wild.
- The course teaches basic survival skills like making fire and finding water.
fight for survival
1/fˈaɪt fɚ sɚvˈaɪvəl/
fixed phrase
struggle to stay alive or exist
To try very hard to stay alive or keep existing.
Examples
- The refugees had to fight for survival in harsh conditions.
- Small businesses are fighting for survival in the current economy.
survival of the fittest
3/sɚvˈaɪvəl əv ðə fˈɪtɪst/
fixed phrase
technical
best adapted organisms survive
A science idea: animals and plants that fit their place best live and have young.
Examples
- Survival of the fittest explains why some species die out.
- He believes business is just survival of the fittest.