lifer

noun

lif·​er ˈlī-fər 

1

: a person sentenced to imprisonment for life

2

: a person who makes a career of one of the armed forces

3

: a person who has made a lifelong commitment (as to a way of life)

Examples of lifer in a Sentence

He was a lifer at the factory.

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet even Red Sox lifers have to be confused by the 2026 broadcast rotation. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026

While these young adults remain the largest group heading abroad, mid-lifers, like Ardern, are now the fastest-growing segment, with retirees increasingly joining them, according to government data. —Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026

Fiddelke, a 23-year company lifer who has been Target’s operations chief and finance chief, told Fortune in an interview that the key to getting Target out of its rut is a culture and communication shift. —Phil Wahba, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026

While a few lifers grumble, this infusion of talent (not to mention tech money) is good news for residents and travelers. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lifer

• cipher
• cypher
• fifer
• heifer
• pfeiffer
• decipher