Life vs. Living — What's the Difference?

Biological existence of organisms.

Act of leading one's life.

Life is a characteristic that distinguishes physical entities that have biological processes, such as signaling and self-sustaining processes, from those that do not, either because such functions have ceased (they have died), or because they never had such functions and are classified as inanimate. Various forms of life exist, such as plants, animals, fungi, protists, archaea, and bacteria.

Influenced by personal decisions and environment.

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.

Can denote lifestyle or livelihood.

The characteristic state or condition of a living organism.

Subject to economic, cultural, and social factors.

Living organisms considered as a group

Possessing life

A living being, especially a person

In active function or use

The physical, mental, and spiritual experiences that constitute existence

Of persons who are alive

The interval of time between birth and death

Relating to the routine conduct or maintenance of life

The interval of time between one's birth and the present

Full of life, interest, or vitality

A particular segment of one's life

True to life; realistic

The period from an occurrence until death

Still in place as part of a larger mass. Used especially of rock

(Slang) A sentence of imprisonment lasting till death.

Having motion suggestive of life. Used especially of water

The time for which something exists or functions

(Informal) Used as an intensive

A spiritual state regarded as a transcending of corporeal death.

The condition or action of maintaining life

An account of a person's life; a biography.

A manner or style of life

Human existence, relationships, or activity in general

A means of maintaining life; livelihood

A manner of living

Chiefly British A church benefice, including the revenue attached to it.

A specific, characteristic manner of existence. Used of inanimate objects

Present participle of live

The activities and interests of a particular area or realm

Having life; alive.

A source of vitality; an animating force

In use or existing.

Liveliness or vitality; animation

Of everyday life.

Something that actually exists regarded as a subject for an artist

True to life.

Actual environment or reality; nature.

Of rock or stone, existing in its original state and place.

Of or relating to animate existence; involved in or necessary for living

Continually updated; not static

Continuing for a lifetime; lifelong

Used as an intensifier.

Using a living model as a subject for an artist

(uncountable) The state of being alive.

(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.

Financial means; a means of maintaining life; livelihood

(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.

A style of 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.

(canon law) A position in a church (usually the Church of England) that has attached to it a source of income; an ecclesiastical benefice.

Lifeforms, generally or collectively.

Being alive; having life; as, a living creature. Opposed to dead.

(countable) A living individual; the fact of a particular individual being alive. Chiefly when indicating individuals were lost (died) or saved.

Active; lively; vigorous; - said esp. of states of the mind, and sometimes of abstract things; as, a living faith; a living principle.

Existence.

Issuing continually from the earth; running; flowing; as, a living spring; - opposed to stagnant.

A worthwhile existence.

Producing life, action, animation, or vigor; quickening.

A particular aspect of existence.

Ignited; glowing with heat; burning; live.

(informal) Social life.

The state of one who, or that which, lives; lives; life; existence.

Something which is inherently part of a person's existence, such as job, family, a loved one, etc.

Manner of life; as, riotous living; penurious living; earnest living.

A period of time during which something has existence.

Means of subsistence; sustenance; estate; as, to make a comfortable living from writing.

The period during which one (a person, an animal, a plant; a civilization, species; a star; etc) is alive.

Power of continuing life; the act of living, or living comfortably.

The span of time during which an object operates.

The benefice of a clergyman; an ecclesiastical charge which a minister receives.

The period of time during which an object is recognizable.

The experience of living; the course of human events and activities;

A particular phase or period of existence.

People who are still living;

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).

The condition of living or the state of being alive;

Animation; spirit; vivacity.

The financial means whereby one lives;

The most lively component or participant.

Pertaining to living persons;

A biography.

True to life; lifelike;

Nature, reality, and the forms that exist in it.

Dwelling or inhabiting; often used in combination;

An opportunity for existence.

(informal) absolute;

(video games) One of the player's chances to play, lost when the player's character dies or when certain mistakes are made.

Still in existence;

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.

Still in active use;

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.

(used of minerals or stone) in its natural state and place; not mined or quarried;

The life insurance industry.

Pertains to the quality and style of life.

(countable) A life assured under a life assurance policy (equivalent to the policy itself for a single life contract).

(aviation) To replace components whose operational lifetime has expired.

(obsolete) God's 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Animation; spirit; vivacity; vigor; energy.

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.

The living or actual form, person, thing, or state; as, a picture or a description from, the life.

A person; a living being, usually a human being; as, many lives were sacrificed.

The system of animal nature; animals in general, or considered collectively.

An essential constituent of life, esp: the blood.

A history of the acts and events of a life; a biography; as, Johnson wrote the life of Milton.

Enjoyment in the right use of the powers; especially, a spiritual existence; happiness in the favor of God; heavenly felicity.

Something dear to one as one's existence; a darling; - used as a term of endearment.

A characteristic state or mode of living;

The course of existence of an individual; the actions and events that occur in living;

The experience of living; the course of human events and activities;

The condition of living or the state of being alive;

The period during which something is functional (as between birth and death);

The period between birth and the present time;

Animation and energy in action or expression;

An account of the series of events making up a person's life

The period from the present until death;

A living person;

Living things collectively;

A motive for living;

The organic phenomenon that distinguishes living organisms from nonliving ones;

A prison term lasting as long as the prisoner lives;

Continuum of growth and adaptation.

Characterized by metabolism and reproduction.

Explored through various scientific disciplines.

Pertains to the innate properties of organisms.

Life is defined by growth, reproduction, metabolism, and the ability to react to stimuli.

Lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, and hobbies, play a significant role in shaping one's quality of living.

Living conditions, such as housing, health, and income, directly impact one’s well-being and life satisfaction.

Life expectancy measures the average age people are expected to live, while living standards refer to the economic and social quality of life.

Life sciences study the biological processes and structures of living organisms, helping us understand the mechanisms of life.

Yes, quality of living can change due to various factors like changes in income, health, or personal circumstances.

While scientists have created synthetic organisms using biological components, creating life entirely from non-living matter remains a challenge.

Consciousness is not universally agreed upon as a requirement for life or living. Many organisms exhibit living processes without apparent consciousness.

Philosophically, life is often explored in terms of its purpose, meaning, and the ethical considerations surrounding it.

No, if something is considered living, it is inherently part of the broader concept of life. However, living entities may vary in complexity and organization.