Survival: Definition, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：continuing existence (survival)

survival 🔊

/sərˈvaɪvəl/

The fact or state of continuing to live or exist, especially after something difficult or dangerous.

Survival skill: hands striking flint to start fire in forest

continuing existence 🔊

➕

/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ ɪɡˈzɪstəns/

The condition or fact of continuing to live or exist, especially after a difficult or dangerous situation.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

sur- (over) + viv (live) + -al (noun suffix) → living through

💡 Mnemonic

Survival: sur (over) + vival (live) → live over and beyond hardships.

📖 Example

After almost failing the math exam, her survival in the course depended on acing the final project. 🔊 After almost failing the math exam, her survival in the course depended on acing the final project.

🔗 Collocations

survival rate – the percentage of people or organisms that survive a particular condition

survival skills – abilities needed to stay alive in dangerous situations

survival instinct – the natural tendency to fight for life

🔄 Synonyms

endurance (n.) – the ability to continue despite difficulties

persistence (n.) – the fact of continuing to exist or happen

continuance (n.) – the state of continuing to exist

🚫 Antonyms

extinction (n.) – the state of no longer existing

death (n.) – the end of life

cessation (n.) – the fact of stopping or ending

🌱 Derivatives

survive (v.) – to continue to live or exist

survivor (n.) – a person who survives

surviving (adj.) – still living or existing

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'supervivere', meaning 'to live beyond'. Entered English via Old French 'survivre'. In modern culture, 'survival' is widely used in contexts like wilderness survival, cancer survival, and business survival.