Lifestyle vs. Life — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 11, 2024
Lifestyle denotes a person's way of living, reflecting choices and behaviors, while life encompasses the entirety of one's existence, including experiences, events, and biological processes.
Difference Between Lifestyle and Life
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Lifestyle is about the choices individuals make regarding their daily habits, activities, and behaviors, influenced by factors like culture, society, and personal preferences. It covers aspects such as diet, exercise, leisure activities, and work habits. On the other hand, life is a broader concept that includes not only these choices and activities but also encompasses the biological, psychological, and spiritual experiences of an individual from birth to death.
Lifestyle can be seen as a subset of life, focusing specifically on the pattern of living that a person chooses or adopts. This can include voluntary behaviors and practices within various aspects of life, such as social interactions, consumption habits, and personal pursuits. Whereas life itself is a more encompassing term that includes involuntary aspects, such as one's biological heritage, spontaneous events, and unchosen circumstances that also significantly shape an individual's existence.
The lifestyle of an individual often reflects their values, beliefs, and priorities, serving as a means of expressing personal identity and social position. It is subject to change over time due to personal development, social influences, or changes in one's environment or circumstances. Life, in contrast, encompasses the totality of experiences and changes an individual undergoes, not limited to conscious choices or lifestyle patterns.
People actively work to improve or alter their lifestyle through choices and habits that contribute to their overall well-being, health, and happiness. They might adopt a healthier diet, engage in regular physical activity, or seek a balance between work and leisure. Life, however, presents challenges and opportunities beyond personal control, including unforeseen events, health issues, and other factors that require adaptation and resilience.
Understanding the distinction between lifestyle and life helps in recognizing the scope of one’s personal agency and the broader context of existence. While individuals have the power to shape their lifestyle, life encompasses all aspects of human experience, including those beyond personal control.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The way a person lives, including habits and behaviors.
The existence of an individual, including all experiences.
Scope
Specific to choices and behaviors.
Encompasses all aspects of existence.
Control
Subject to personal choice and control.
Includes both controllable and uncontrollable elements.
Focus
Reflects personal preferences and values.
Includes biological, psychological, and spiritual aspects.
Changeability
Can be altered by individual decisions.
Encompasses changes beyond personal control.
Compare with Definitions
Lifestyle
A person's way of living.
Adopting a vegetarian lifestyle can impact health.
Life
Psychological and spiritual dimensions.
Seeking meaning is part of human life.
Lifestyle
Subject to change.
She changed her lifestyle after moving to the city.
Life
The existence of an individual.
Life is full of unexpected events.
Lifestyle
Influenced by culture and society.
Their lifestyle blends traditional and modern elements.
Life
Beyond personal control.
Life threw a curveball with his sudden illness.
Lifestyle
Habits and behaviors.
His active lifestyle includes daily exercise.
Life
Includes all experiences.
Traveling has enriched her life.
Lifestyle
Reflects personal choices.
Her lifestyle emphasizes minimalism and sustainability.
Life
Biological processes.
Life begins at conception.
Lifestyle
A way of life or living of a person or group
An unconventional lifestyle.
Money needed to maintain one's lifestyle.
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.
Lifestyle
A style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group.
Life
The characteristic state or condition of a living organism.
Lifestyle
(marketing) The totality of the likes and dislikes of a particular section of the market, especially when expressed in terms of the products and services that they would buy; a marketing strategy based on the self-image of such a group.
Life
Living organisms considered as a group
Plant life.
Marine life.
Lifestyle
A manner of living that reflects the person's values and attitudes
Life
A living being, especially a person
An earthquake that claimed hundreds of lives.
Life
The physical, mental, and spiritual experiences that constitute existence
The artistic life of a writer.
Life
The interval of time between birth and death
She led a good, long life.
Life
The interval of time between one's birth and the present
Has had hay fever all his life.
Life
A particular segment of one's life
My adolescent life.
Life
The period from an occurrence until death
Elected for life.
Paralyzed for life.
Life
(Slang) A sentence of imprisonment lasting till death.
Life
The time for which something exists or functions
The useful life of a car.
Life
A spiritual state regarded as a transcending of corporeal death.
Life
An account of a person's life; a biography.
Life
Human existence, relationships, or activity in general
Real life.
Everyday life.
Life
A manner of living
Led a hard life.
Life
A specific, characteristic manner of existence. Used of inanimate objects
“Great institutions seem to have a life of their own, independent of those who run them” (New Republic).
Life
The activities and interests of a particular area or realm
Musical life in New York.
Life
A source of vitality; an animating force
She's the life of the show.
Life
Liveliness or vitality; animation
A face that is full of life.
Life
Something that actually exists regarded as a subject for an artist
Painted from life.
Life
Actual environment or reality; nature.
Life
Of or relating to animate existence; involved in or necessary for living
Life processes.
Life
Continuing for a lifetime; lifelong
Life partner.
Life imprisonment.
Life
Using a living model as a subject for an artist
A life sculpture.
Life
(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.
Having experienced both, the vampire decided that he preferred (un)death to life.
He gave up on life.
Life
(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.
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.
Life
Lifeforms, generally or collectively.
It's life, but not as we know it.
She discovered plant life on the planet.
The rover discovered signs of life on the alien world.
Life
(countable) A living individual; the fact of a particular individual being alive. Chiefly when indicating individuals were lost (died) or saved.
Many lives were lost during the war.
Her quick thinking saved many dogs' lives.
Life
Existence.
Man's life on this planet has been marked by continual conflict.
The eternal life of the soul
Life
A worthwhile existence.
He gets up early in the morning, works all day long — even on weekends — and hardly sees his family. That's no life!
His life was ruined by drugs.
Life
(informal) Social life.
Get a life.
Life
Something which is inherently part of a person's existence, such as job, family, a loved one, etc.
She's my love, my life.
Running the bakery is her life.
Life
A period of time during which something has existence.
Life
The period during which one (a person, an animal, a plant; a civilization, species; a star; etc) is alive.
Life
The span of time during which an object operates.
This light bulb is designed to have a life of 2,000 hours.
Life
The period of time during which an object is recognizable.
The life of this milk carton may be thousands of years in this landfill.
Life
A particular phase or period of existence.
Life
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).
Life
Animation; spirit; vivacity.
Life
The most lively component or participant.
Life
A biography.
His life of the founder is finished, except for the title.
Life
Nature, reality, and the forms that exist in it.
Life
An opportunity for existence.
Life
(video games) One of the player's chances to play, lost when the player's character dies or when certain mistakes are made.
Scoring 1000 points is rewarded with an extra life.
Life
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.
Life
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.
Life
The life insurance industry.
I work in life.
Life
(countable) A life assured under a life assurance policy (equivalent to the policy itself for a single life contract).
Life
(aviation) To replace components whose operational lifetime has expired.
Life
(obsolete) God's life
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.
Life
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.
She shows a body rather than a life.
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.
Life
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.
Life
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.
That which before us lies in daily life.
By experience of life abroad in the world.
Lives of great men all remind usWe can make our lives sublime.
'T is from high life high characters are drawn.
Life
Animation; spirit; vivacity; vigor; energy.
No notion of life and fire in fancy and in words.
That gives thy gestures grace and life.
Life
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.
Life
The living or actual form, person, thing, or state; as, a picture or a description from, the life.
Life
A person; a living being, usually a human being; as, many lives were sacrificed.
Life
The system of animal nature; animals in general, or considered collectively.
Full nature swarms with life.
Life
A history of the acts and events of a life; a biography; as, Johnson wrote the life of Milton.
Life
Enjoyment in the right use of the powers; especially, a spiritual existence; happiness in the favor of God; heavenly felicity.
Life
Something dear to one as one's existence; a darling; - used as a term of endearment.
Life
A characteristic state or mode of living;
Social life
City life
Real life
Life
The course of existence of an individual; the actions and events that occur in living;
He hoped for a new life in Australia
He wanted to live his own life without interference from others
Life
The experience of living; the course of human events and activities;
He could no longer cope with the complexities of life
Life
The condition of living or the state of being alive;
While there's life there's hope
Life depends on many chemical and physical processes
Life
The period during which something is functional (as between birth and death);
The battery had a short life
He lived a long and happy life
Life
The period between birth and the present time;
I have known him all his life
Life
Animation and energy in action or expression;
It was a heavy play and the actors tried in vain to give life to it
Life
An account of the series of events making up a person's life
Life
The period from the present until death;
He appointed himself emperor for life
Life
A living person;
His heroism saved a life
Life
Living things collectively;
The oceans are teeming with life
Life
A motive for living;
Pottery was his life
Life
The organic phenomenon that distinguishes living organisms from nonliving ones;
There is no life on the moon
Common Curiosities
How does lifestyle differ from life?
Lifestyle specifically refers to an individual's chosen way of living and behaviors, while life is a broader term that includes both chosen and unchosen aspects of existence.
Can lifestyle choices impact one's life?
Yes, lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, can significantly impact one's overall life, including health and well-being.
Is it possible to control every aspect of one's life?
No, while individuals can control many aspects of their lifestyle, life includes many uncontrollable elements.
What is a lifestyle?
A lifestyle is the way a person lives, including their habits, activities, and behaviors, often reflecting personal choices and values.
What does life encompass?
Life encompasses the entirety of an individual's existence, including all experiences, events, and biological, psychological, and spiritual aspects.
Are lifestyle changes always positive?
Lifestyle changes can be positive or negative, depending on the nature of the change and its impact on the individual.
What role does psychology play in life?
Psychology plays a crucial role in understanding behaviors, experiences, and the overall mental health aspect of life.
Is lifestyle always a personal choice?
While lifestyle largely involves personal choices, it can also be influenced by cultural, social, and economic factors.
Does life only refer to human beings?
The term "life" can refer to the existence of any living organism, but in the context of this comparison, it focuses on human existence.
Can one's lifestyle change over time?
Yes, an individual's lifestyle can change due to personal decisions, experiences, or changes in circumstances.
How do uncontrollable factors influence life?
Uncontrollable factors, such as genetic predispositions or unforeseen events, play a significant role in shaping one's life beyond personal choices.
How do cultural factors influence lifestyle?
Cultural factors can influence lifestyle choices and behaviors, including diet, dress, and social practices.
Can lifestyle choices influence lifespan?
Yes, certain lifestyle choices, like diet and exercise, can influence the quality and length of one's life.
What is the importance of understanding the difference between lifestyle and life?
Understanding the difference helps in recognizing the extent of personal agency and the broader existential factors that shape human experience.
Can lifestyle be a reflection of one's identity?
Yes, lifestyle often reflects an individual's identity, values, and social position.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
