lifestyle English · revision 6826

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1929}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|en|life|style]], also written life-style.^(Etymonline)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ 1929, as a term of the Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler for a person's basic character as set in early childhood;^(Etymonline) MWU's first known use is 1939.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The broader sense, a way or style of living, is by 1961,^(Etymonline) and an adjective use, suggesting a fashionable way of life (''a lifestyle magazine''), is from 1976 in MWU.^(MWU 2024)^(Collins 2023) The AHD notes that when the word became widespread, critics objected to it as voguish and superficial, because it seemed to make consumption and recreation the basis of social identity, but that it fills a real need.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1929 – Adler's term for a person's basic character.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1961 – a way of living.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1976 – the adjective use.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A way of life that reflects the attitudes, habits and values of a person or group.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Such a way of life seen as fashionable or desirable.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Suggesting or marketed for a fashionable way of life; of a drug, treating a problem that affects quality of life rather than health.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[life]]

+ * [[style]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The AHD records early objections that ''lifestyle'' was a superficial vogue word.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}