Life vs. Lives — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Published on February 6, 2024
"Life" refers to the existence of an individual or the essence of living, while "Lives" is the plural form of life, indicating the existence of multiple individuals or beings.
Difference Between Life and Lives
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The word "Life" is used to denote the existence of a single entity or individual, encompassing the experiences and actions of that entity. It can also refer to the concept of being alive. In contrast, "Lives" is the plural form of life, used to refer to the existence or experiences of multiple entities or individuals.
"Life" often symbolizes the vitality and essence of a single organism or being, and it can also represent the collective experiences and journey of an individual. "Lives," however, emphasizes the collective existence and experiences of several beings, often used in contexts discussing groups, societies, or multiple individuals.
When discussing philosophical or existential concepts, "life" often serves as a singular representation of the human condition or the nature of existence for a single being. In contrast, "lives" is used to represent these concepts in a broader scope, considering the experiences and conditions of multiple beings.
In literature and narrative, "life" is frequently used to focus on the story or journey of one character, highlighting individual challenges, achievements, or experiences. "Lives," however, is used to discuss the stories or journeys of multiple characters, often interweaving these stories to present a larger narrative.
The usage of "life" and "lives" also differs grammatically. "Life" is singular and often accompanied by singular verbs and pronouns. "Lives," being plural, is used with plural verbs and pronouns, reflecting the multiplicity of the subjects it represents.
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Comparison Chart
Number
Singular
Plural
Usage
Refers to one entity or being
Refers to multiple entities or beings
Contextual Application
Individual existence or experience
Collective existence or experiences
Grammatical Accompaniment
Singular verbs and pronouns
Plural verbs and pronouns
Narrative Focus
Often focuses on a single character
Focuses on multiple characters
Compare with Definitions
Life
Life is the existence of an individual being.
The life of a butterfly is fascinatingly transformative.
Lives
Lives also signify the collective impact or influence on a group.
The new policy improved the lives of many in the community.
Life
In a philosophical context, life represents the essence of being alive.
Contemplating the meaning of life is a common existential pursuit.
Lives
Lives are the plural form of life, emphasizing multiple existences.
The documentary highlighted the diverse lives of city dwellers.
Life
Life is also used to describe a biography or story of an individual.
The biography detailed the life of the renowned artist.
Lives
Lives can indicate the daily activities and experiences of people.
Their lives were drastically changed by the invention.
Life
The property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment originating from within the organism.
Lives
Lives refers to the existence of multiple individuals.
The lives of those pioneers were incredibly challenging.
Life
The characteristic state or condition of a living organism.
Lives
In storytelling, lives represent the interwoven stories of various characters.
The novel explores the lives of five families over generations.
Life
Living organisms considered as a group
Plant life.
Marine life.
Lives
Plural of life.
Life
A living being, especially a person
An earthquake that claimed hundreds of lives.
Lives
Infl of live
Life
The physical, mental, and spiritual experiences that constitute existence
The artistic life of a writer.
Lives
Plural of life
Life
The interval of time between birth and death
She led a good, long life.
Lives
Alive; living; with life.
Life
The interval of time between one's birth and the present
Has had hay fever all his life.
Life
A particular segment of one's life
My adolescent life.
Life
The period from an occurrence until death
Elected for life.
Paralyzed for life.
Life
(Slang) A sentence of imprisonment lasting till death.
Life
The time for which something exists or functions
The useful life of a car.
Life
A spiritual state regarded as a transcending of corporeal death.
Life
An account of a person's life; a biography.
Life
Human existence, relationships, or activity in general
Real life.
Everyday life.
Life
A manner of living
Led a hard life.
Life
A specific, characteristic manner of existence. Used of inanimate objects
“Great institutions seem to have a life of their own, independent of those who run them” (New Republic).
Life
The activities and interests of a particular area or realm
Musical life in New York.
Life
A source of vitality; an animating force
She's the life of the show.
Life
Liveliness or vitality; animation
A face that is full of life.
Life
Something that actually exists regarded as a subject for an artist
Painted from life.
Life
Actual environment or reality; nature.
Life
Of or relating to animate existence; involved in or necessary for living
Life processes.
Life
Continuing for a lifetime; lifelong
Life partner.
Life imprisonment.
Life
Using a living model as a subject for an artist
A life sculpture.
Life
(uncountable) The state of organisms preceding their death, characterized by biological processes such as metabolism and reproduction and distinguishing them from inanimate objects; the state of being alive and living.
Having experienced both, the vampire decided that he preferred (un)death to life.
He gave up on life.
Life
(biology) The status possessed by any of a number of entities, including animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, and sometimes viruses, which have the properties of replication and metabolism.
Life
The animating principle or force that keeps an inorganic thing or concept metaphorically alive (dynamic, relevant, etc) and makes it a "living document", "living constitution", etc.
Life
Lifeforms, generally or collectively.
It's life, but not as we know it.
She discovered plant life on the planet.
The rover discovered signs of life on the alien world.
Life
(countable) A living individual; the fact of a particular individual being alive. Chiefly when indicating individuals were lost (died) or saved.
Many lives were lost during the war.
Her quick thinking saved many dogs' lives.
Life
Existence.
Man's life on this planet has been marked by continual conflict.
The eternal life of the soul
Life
A worthwhile existence.
He gets up early in the morning, works all day long — even on weekends — and hardly sees his family. That's no life!
His life was ruined by drugs.
Life
A particular aspect of existence.
He struggled to balance his family life, social life and work life.
Sex life, political life
Life
(informal) Social life.
Get a life.
Life
Something which is inherently part of a person's existence, such as job, family, a loved one, etc.
She's my love, my life.
Running the bakery is her life.
Life
A period of time during which something has existence.
Life
The period during which one (a person, an animal, a plant; a civilization, species; a star; etc) is alive.
Life
The span of time during which an object operates.
This light bulb is designed to have a life of 2,000 hours.
Life
The period of time during which an object is recognizable.
The life of this milk carton may be thousands of years in this landfill.
Life
A particular phase or period of existence.
Life
A period extending from a when a (positive or negative) office, punishment, etc is conferred on someone until that person dies (or, sometimes, reaches retirement age).
Life
Animation; spirit; vivacity.
Life
The most lively component or participant.
Life
A biography.
His life of the founder is finished, except for the title.
Life
Nature, reality, and the forms that exist in it.
Life
An opportunity for existence.
Life
(video games) One of the player's chances to play, lost when the player's character dies or when certain mistakes are made.
Scoring 1000 points is rewarded with an extra life.
Life
A chance for the batter (or batting team) to bat again, given as a result of an misplay by a member of the fielding team.
Life
One of a player's chances to play in various children's playground games, lost when a mistake is made, for example being struck by the ball in dodgeball.
Life
The life insurance industry.
I work in life.
Life
(countable) A life assured under a life assurance policy (equivalent to the policy itself for a single life contract).
Life
(aviation) To replace components whose operational lifetime has expired.
Life
(obsolete) God's life
Life
The state of being which begins with generation, birth, or germination, and ends with death; also, the time during which this state continues; that state of an animal or plant in which all or any of its organs are capable of performing all or any of their functions; - used of all animal and vegetable organisms.
Life
Of human beings: The union of the soul and body; also, the duration of their union; sometimes, the deathless quality or existence of the soul; as, man is a creature having an immortal life.
She shows a body rather than a life.
Life
The potential principle, or force, by which the organs of animals and plants are started and continued in the performance of their several and coöperative functions; the vital force, whether regarded as physical or spiritual.
Life
Figuratively: The potential or animating principle, also, the period of duration, of anything that is conceived of as resembling a natural organism in structure or functions; as, the life of a state, a machine, or a book; authority is the life of government.
Life
A certain way or manner of living with respect to conditions, circumstances, character, conduct, occupation, etc.; hence, human affairs; also, lives, considered collectively, as a distinct class or type; as, low life; a good or evil life; the life of Indians, or of miners.
That which before us lies in daily life.
By experience of life abroad in the world.
Lives of great men all remind usWe can make our lives sublime.
'T is from high life high characters are drawn.
Life
Animation; spirit; vivacity; vigor; energy.
No notion of life and fire in fancy and in words.
That gives thy gestures grace and life.
Life
That which imparts or excites spirit or vigor; that upon which enjoyment or success depends; as, he was the life of the company, or of the enterprise.
Life
The living or actual form, person, thing, or state; as, a picture or a description from, the life.
Life
A person; a living being, usually a human being; as, many lives were sacrificed.
Life
The system of animal nature; animals in general, or considered collectively.
Full nature swarms with life.
Life
An essential constituent of life, esp: the blood.
The words that I speak unto you . . . they are life.
The warm life came issuing through the wound.
Life
A history of the acts and events of a life; a biography; as, Johnson wrote the life of Milton.
Life
Enjoyment in the right use of the powers; especially, a spiritual existence; happiness in the favor of God; heavenly felicity.
Life
Something dear to one as one's existence; a darling; - used as a term of endearment.
Life
A characteristic state or mode of living;
Social life
City life
Real life
Life
The course of existence of an individual; the actions and events that occur in living;
He hoped for a new life in Australia
He wanted to live his own life without interference from others
Life
The experience of living; the course of human events and activities;
He could no longer cope with the complexities of life
Life
The condition of living or the state of being alive;
While there's life there's hope
Life depends on many chemical and physical processes
Life
The period during which something is functional (as between birth and death);
The battery had a short life
He lived a long and happy life
Life
The period between birth and the present time;
I have known him all his life
Life
Animation and energy in action or expression;
It was a heavy play and the actors tried in vain to give life to it
Life
An account of the series of events making up a person's life
Life
The period from the present until death;
He appointed himself emperor for life
Life
A living person;
His heroism saved a life
Life
Living things collectively;
The oceans are teeming with life
Life
A motive for living;
Pottery was his life
Life
The organic phenomenon that distinguishes living organisms from nonliving ones;
There is no life on the moon
Life
A prison term lasting as long as the prisoner lives;
He got life for killing the guard
Life
Life can refer to the period during which something is functional or active.
The life of this appliance has exceeded my expectations.
Life
Life denotes the experiences and actions of a person.
Her life was filled with adventures and learning.
Common Curiosities
Are 'lives' used in individual contexts?
No, 'lives' is used for multiple entities or beings, not individuals.
How is 'lives' different from 'life'?
'Lives' is the plural form of 'life,' referring to the experiences or existences of multiple individuals.
Can 'life' refer to inanimate objects?
Yes, 'life' can refer to the functional period of inanimate objects.
Is 'life' always a singular term?
Yes, 'life' is grammatically singular, referring to one entity.
Can 'life' be used metaphorically?
Yes, 'life' can be used metaphorically to represent vitality or essence.
What does 'life' signify?
'Life' signifies the existence or experience of an individual being or entity.
What does 'lives' imply in narratives?
In narratives, 'lives' implies the stories or experiences of multiple characters.
Can 'life' refer to a way of living?
Yes, 'life' can refer to a particular way or style of living.
What does 'lives' convey in historical contexts?
In historical contexts, 'lives' conveys the experiences of people during a specific period.
Are 'lives' impacted by social changes?
Yes, 'lives' can be significantly impacted by social and environmental changes.
Does 'life' have different meanings in different disciplines?
Yes, 'life' can have varied meanings in disciplines like biology, philosophy, and sociology.
Do 'lives' and 'life' have different grammatical rules?
Yes, 'lives' follows plural grammatical rules, while 'life' follows singular rules.
Is 'life' used in biographies?
Yes, 'life' is often used in biographies to describe a person's journey.
Is 'life' used in existential discussions?
Yes, 'life' is frequently used in existential discussions about the nature of existence.
How does 'lives' relate to community or society?
'Lives' often relates to the collective experiences and conditions of a community or society.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
