What this suffix does
-lived describes how long something lasts: short-lived, long-lived. Often used with abstract things: "a short-lived hope".
ESEN
Suffix · forms adjectives
-lived
Describes how long something lasts: short-lived (lasting only a short time) versus long-lived (lasting a long time).
In Spanish: de vida / duradero / efímeroIntermediate
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
How it is formed
Duration adjective + lived.
- short + livedshort-lived (lasting only a short time)
- long + livedlong-lived (lasting a long time)
This is not a productive rule you can apply freely: it is a closed set of fixed expressions. Learn them one by one as set phrases.
How it is pronounced
-lived
Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
Examples
Base word
With -lived
In a phrase
- shortshort-livedTheir excitement was short-lived, the trip got cancelled the next day.
- longlong-livedTurtles are known for being long-lived animals.
- doubledouble-livedThe spy led a double-lived existence for years.
- stillstill-livedThe old traditions are still-lived in small towns like this one.
- hardhard-livedYou could tell from his face that he'd had a hard-lived life.
Common mistakes
short-lived is pronounced "short-livd"
short-lived is most often pronounced "short-LYVD" in American English
There is a long-running pronunciation debate about "short-lived." The historical pronunciation was "short-LYVD" (rhyming with "jived"), since the compound derives from "life" not "live" (the verb). In modern American English "short-livd" (rhyming with "givd") is also widely accepted. British English tends to preserve the original "LYVD" pronunciation. Both are now considered standard.
short-lived = of poor quality
short-lived = lasting only a short time, not necessarily of poor quality
"Short-lived" describes duration, not quality. A short-lived peace is not a failed peace — it is a peace that ended sooner than hoped. A short-lived career can be brilliant. The compound judges time, not merit. The sadness implied is about the ending, not about any flaw in the thing itself.
A trick to remember it
"Lived" comes from "live". Picture the thing as if it had its own life: short-LIVED = it lived a short life and then died out (something that didn't last).
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
"long-lived" describes something that...
Frequently asked questions
What does the suffix -lived mean in English?
The suffix -lived describes how long something lasts: short-lived (lasting only a short time) versus long-lived (lasting a long time). In Spanish it usually maps to de vida / duradero / efímero.
Can you give an example of a word with -lived?
"short" becomes "short-lived". It is a typical example of the -lived suffix.
Other useful suffixes
-long
Means "lasting the entire ___": lifelong (lasting a lifetime) and daylong (lasting all day).
-time
Forms compounds naming periods, moments, or eras with a distinct identity: lifetime, peacetime, wartime, pastime, overtime, daytime, nighttime, bedtime.
-worn
Describes something worn down by time or use: timeworn (worn by time) and careworn (worn out by worry).
Learn every English suffix
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