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Lifer: meaning, definitions and examples

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lifer

 

[ ˈlaɪfər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

prison sentence

A 'lifer' refers to a person who has been sentenced to life imprisonment. This term is often used in the context of criminal justice, where individuals receive long-term sentences for serious offenses.

Synonyms

life prisoner, lifelong inmate, long-termer.

Examples of usage

  • The lifer has no chance of parole.
  • He was a lifer who had been in prison for over two decades.
  • Many lifers find solace in education and rehabilitation programs.
  • The documentary showcased the lives of lifers behind bars.

Translations

Translations of the word "lifer" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prisioneiro perpétuo

🇮🇳 जीवन कारावास

🇩🇪 lebenslänglich

🇮🇩 narapidana seumur hidup

🇺🇦 довічний ув'язнений

🇵🇱 dożywotni więzień

🇯🇵 終身刑囚

🇫🇷 prisonnier à perpétuité

🇪🇸 prisionero de por vida

🇹🇷 ömür boyu mahkum

🇰🇷 종신형 수감자

🇸🇦 سجين مدى الحياة

🇨🇿 doživotní vězeň

🇸🇰 doživotný väzeň

🇨🇳 终身监禁者

🇸🇮 doživotni zapornik

🇮🇸 lífsvörður

🇰🇿 өмір бойы сотталған

🇬🇪 სამუდამო პატიმარი

🇦🇿 ömürlük məhbus

🇲🇽 prisionero de por vida

Etymology

The term 'lifer' originated within the American criminal justice system during the mid-20th century. It is a colloquial term derived from the word 'life,' which signifies a punishment lasting for the entirety of a convict's natural life. The concept of life imprisonment dates back centuries, but the specific use of 'lifer' as a term for individuals serving such sentences became more pronounced in legal and colloquial language in the 1970s and 1980s. Over time, 'lifer' has become ingrained in popular culture, often appearing in novels, films, and television shows that depict prison life. The term evokes feelings of permanence and the harsh reality faced by individuals who have committed crimes deemed severe enough to warrant life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,376, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.