life preserver
12
2.5
- noun
- /laɪf prɪˈzɜrvər/
- US
- He tossed the life preserver to the person struggling in the water.
- wear a life preserver
- throw a life preserver
- orange life preserver
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Watch on YouTubeWhen your life blows up and you find yourself in the ocean with like pieces of the boat all around, look for a life preserver or a raft.
- When your life blows up and you find yourself in the ocean with like pieces of the boat all around, look for a life preserver or a raft.
- I think he's a, you know, it's a life preserver.
Examples
-
They were the only two survivors, saved from drowning by finding a life preserver marked S.S. Lusitania.
Fiction book (1999) -
For safety, everyone on the boat was required to wear a life preserver.
-
And he made us wear life preservers.
-
Angel, throw him that life preserver.
-
When his brother returned, he was holding a life preserver in each hand.
Fiction book (1999) -
The raft and life preservers are all on board.
-
Well, I'm not that strong of a swimmer, so I wear a life preserver.
-
Lois is in the stern, lying on her back, her arms at her sides, a life preserver under her head.
Fiction book (1994) -
When your life blows up and you find yourself in the ocean with like pieces of the boat all around, look for a life preserver or a raft.
-
After I finished the sandwich, I stood and adjusted a twisted strap on my life preserver.
Fiction book (1991)
Synonyms
13
4.1
A floating jacket that keeps a person above water
9
1.4
A jacket that helps a person float in water
8
1.7
A jacket you wear to help you float in water
8
3.3
Something that helps a person float in water and avoid drowning
2
2.7
A round object you throw to someone in water to help them float
2
1.9
A round floating ring worn around the body to keep a person afloat in water
2
3.1
A ring that floats and you throw to someone who is drowning
1
3.2
A floating ring used to save people who are drowning
1
4.1
An inflatable vest that keeps you afloat in water
How Buoyant
- US
2
2.7
- US
12
2.5
9
1.4
- UK
2
1.9
1
3.2
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'life' (life) + 'preserver' (one that preserves) yields 'something that preserves life', which a learner would plausibly infer as a device to keep someone alive in water. This noun-noun compound follows common, cross-linguistic composition patterns (e.g., lifejacket/salvavidas), so it is readily understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituents.
Etymology
Life preserver gets its name from the clear image of saving life: a preserver is something that holds you up in the water and 'preserves' you. That's why a ring or jacket that 'keeps you afloat' and stops you from drowning is called a life preserver.