lifelong

American  

[lahyf-lawng, -long] / ˈlaɪfˌlɔŋ, -ˌlɒŋ /

adjective

1. lasting or continuing through all or much of one's life.

   lifelong regret.

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lifelong British  

/ ˈlaɪfˌlɒŋ /

adjective

1. lasting for or as if for a lifetime

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Etymology

Origin of lifelong

1750–60; life + long ¹ (adv.)

Explanation

Something lifelong lasts your entire life, or for most of it. A lifelong friendship might have begun in kindergarten, and it continues today. You can describe your grandfather as a lifelong Republican if he's voted for the Republican candidate in every election all through his life. You could also say you have a lifelong hatred of green vegetables if you've refused broccoli and spinach since you first ate solid food. The word lifelong, meaning "continuing for a lifetime," was coined in the nineteenth century.

Example Sentences

Adam Hayes is a lifelong golf-lover and for a decade has been the caddie for pro golfer Jon Rahm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

To better understand lifelong learning, the team examined cognitive enrichment at three stages of life.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

My lifelong commitment to social justice and my eternal skepticism of power and avarice comes from what I learned growing up at St. Boniface in Anaheim.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

It is a lifelong condition with no cure, and many people contract it in childhood through close contact with loved ones.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

At least from the outside, it seemed he was grasping for an option that avoided the risk of a longer sentence, and the lifelong stigma of conviction.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Related Words

• constant
• continuing
• deep-rooted
• enduring
• inveterate
• long-lasting
• permanent
• persistent