lifer

[ lahy-fer ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a person sentenced to or serving a term of life imprisonment.
2. a person committed to a professional lifetime career in the military.
3. a person who has devoted a lifetime to a profession, occupation, or pursuit.
4. (in birding)
   1. Also called life bird. a species of bird not seen previously and that will therefore be added to the bird watcher's life list.
   2. the sighting of a bird of a previously unseen species:

      It seems like forever since I've had a lifer!

lifer

/ ˈlaɪfə /

noun

1. informal.
   a prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment

Word History and Origins

Origin of lifer¹

First recorded in 1820–30; life + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Some cowboy lifers insist on synthetic fill, since it will dry quicker and even insulate in the event of unexpected rain—you know, a primary reason you have a tent at all—while others prefer the compression and breathability of down.

From Outside Online

In a sense, Staley is the new VanDerveer, a coaching lifer who will influence generations.

From Washington Post

Maryland governors paroled between 25 and 92 lifers in their terms from 1969 to 1995.

From Washington Post

Ligon broke every unenviable record, becoming the nation’s oldest, longest-serving juvenile lifer.

From Washington Post

Among his advocates was John Pace, 52, a former juvenile lifer who knew Ligon for two decades in Graterford prison.

From Washington Post

Plus, Scarborough still has credibility on the right of the GOP as a pro-lifer and good friend of Erick Erickson.

From The Daily Beast

The report reveals some disturbing trends in the current lifer prison population, Nellis says.

From The Daily Beast

But that means a significant portion of the lifer population is behind bars for a non-homicide, Nellis points out.

From The Daily Beast

It was so important that journalists found it fitting to ask every pro-lifer in their path to discuss it.

From The Daily Beast

As the PA prison system awaits its newest lifer, here are eight fun facts.

From The Daily Beast

There is a lifer here in Folsom, Matthew Davies, of old pioneer stock, who is trusty of the scaffold and execution chamber.

From Project Gutenberg

When this old lifer was a child there was much talk in his family of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.

From Project Gutenberg

These cases are virtually hopeless, and are little less pitiable than that of the “lifer” in a prison.

From Project Gutenberg

Up the beach we chased, and dragged out the boat we called our ‘Lifer.’

From Project Gutenberg

The djinn was in for a lifer, and was immortal; so thought Challis to himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• captive
• convict
• detainee
• hostage