a-way-of-life
/ə ˈweɪ əv laɪf/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A way of life is a way a person, group, or society lives every day. It includes habits, values, work, food, and social behaviour.
- Farming was their way of life.
- City life is a different way of life.
- For her, exercise is a way of life.
Adinary Nuance
A way of life is broader than a habit or routine. It describes the full pattern of living, not just one repeated action. Compared with lifestyle, it often sounds more serious and can include culture, beliefs, and social conditions. Writers use it when they want to show that something shapes daily life deeply.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- lối sống
- Spanish
- modo de vida
- Chinese
- 生活方式
- Japanese
- 生活様式
- Korean
- 생활 방식
Etymology
Way of life is an English phrase made from common Old English words. It has been used since at least the 1600s to describe a person's usual life pattern.
Common phrases
way of lifea different way of lifea simple way of lifea modern way of life
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is way of life the same as lifestyle?
- They are close, but way of life is broader and often more serious. Lifestyle usually sounds more about personal choices and image.
- Can I use way of life in academic writing?
- Yes. It is common in academic and formal writing, especially about society, culture, or health.
- Is way of life singular or plural?
- You can say way of life or ways of life. The plural is used when comparing different groups or cultures.