Phrase guide

nine lives

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Durability; near immunity to damage; remarkable ability to survive.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: especially, plural, plural-only

Examples

  • He was badly hurt many times but seems to have nine lives.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Unknown. Many speculations exist.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: set vides — durability; near immunity to damage
  • Hindi: नौ ज़िंदगी (nau zindagī) — durability; near immunity to damage
  • Portuguese: sete vidas — durability; near immunity to damage
  • Spanish: siete vidas — durability; near immunity to damage
  • Tagalog: siyam na buhay — durability; near immunity to damage