longevity
lon-JEV-ih-tee
/lɒnˈdʒɛv.ɪ.ti/
Long life or long existence; great duration of individual life or service.
Refers either to a long lifespan of living organisms or the enduring durability of inanimate objects, careers, or institutions.
The story behind the word. Longevity combines two Latin roots: longus, meaning 'long', and aevum, meaning 'age' or 'lifetime'. When the word entered English in the 17th century, it was used by philosophical writers to describe those rare individuals whose lives stretched far beyond the average life expectancy of the era.
Word relationships
- durability: Durability usually applies to objects resisting wear, while longevity applies more broadly to lifespan and prolonged service.
- perpetuity: Perpetuity means lasting forever, whereas longevity means lasting a long time within finite bounds.
- ephemerality: Ephemerality refers to lasting a very short time, the direct opposite of longevity.
- transience: Transience implies passing away quickly rather than enduring.
Commonly confused with
- length: Length measures physical dimension or simple duration, whereas longevity emphasizes an exceptionally long span of life or function.
Word family
- longevous (adjective): Living or lasting a long time.
Collocations
- exceptional longevity
- career longevity
- promote longevity
- longevity gap
Example sentences
- "Improvements in sanitation and nutrition over the past century have dramatically increased human longevity across the globe." Public health research
- "The executive owed the longevity of her career to her uncanny ability to adapt to changing market conditions." Career assessment
Memory hook
Long + age = longevity! Think of a long avenue of age. Long age of living or lasting.
When not to use
Do not confuse longevity with brief duration or temporary endurance; it always implies a strikingly long duration.
Fun facts
- The Blue Zones—regions like Okinawa, Japan and Sardinia, Italy—are famous for having the highest concentration of human longevity on Earth.
Related words
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