life-changing

adjective

life-chang·​ing ˈlīf-ˌchān-jiŋ 

: having or capable of having a significant impact on someone's life

a life-changing career opportunity

a life-changing injury

… in 1986 he took a year off to travel. The experience was life-changing and led to his 1991 decision to pursue writing full-time.

—Carolyn Hart

(humorous) Made with fresh carrots, pineapple, a blend of warm spices and a homemade brown butter cream cheese frosting, this carrot cake recipe is life-changing …

—Jocelyn Delk Adams

Examples of life-changing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For those willing to embrace the complexity while enjoying the journey along the way, lies a truly life-changing opportunity that can impact our world for generations to come. —Joseph Nathan, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Gray’s storytelling is stronger across the board on Wishbone, more mature and sharpened by time and the types of life-changing, heart-shattering experiences that inspired the songs. —Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2025

Suddenly, Walter’s phone screen went blank and her life-changing win appeared — $2,021,096,49. —Mike Stunson, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025

Teen Miss Ramona Alannah Bowman, said her experience has been life-changing. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for life-changing

• interchanging
• rearranging
• arranging
• exchanging
• unchanging
• changing
• ranging