/ səˈvaɪv; NAmE sərˈv-/ verb
1.
[ v ] survive (from sth) | survive (on sth) | survive (as sth) to continue to live or exist :
She was the last surviving member of the family.
Of the six people injured in the crash, only two survived.
Some strange customs have survived from earlier times.
I can't survive on £40 a week (= it is not enough for my basic needs) .
He survived as party leader until his second election defeat.
( humorous )
'How are you these days?' 'Oh, surviving.'
Don't worry, it's only a scratch—you'll survive.
2.
to continue to live or exist despite a dangerous event or time :
[ vn ]
The company managed to survive the crisis.
Many birds didn't survive the severe winter.
[ vn - adj ]
Few buildings survived the war intact.
3.
[ vn ] to live or exist longer than sb/sth
SYN outlive :
She survived her husband by ten years.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French sourvivre , from Latin supervivere , from super- in addition + vivere live.