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livelihood

[lahyv-lee-hood] / ˈlaɪv liˌhʊd /


Usage

What are other ways to say livelihood? Livelihood and the less formal word living, both refer to what one earns to keep (oneself) alive, but are seldom interchangeable within the same phrase: to threaten one's livelihood; to earn one's living. “To make a livelihood out of something” suggests making a business of it: to make a livelihood out of knitting hats. “To make a living” suggests making just enough to keep alive, and is particularly frequent in the negative: You cannot make a living out of that.  Maintenance refers usually to what is spent for the living of another: to provide for the maintenance of someone. Maintenance occasionally refers to the allowance itself provided for livelihood: They are entitled to a maintenance from this estate.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

It was once an important livelihood in west Wales, but today it is mostly a heritage tradition, rather than a full-time source of income.

From BBC Aug. 20, 2026

"We are almost left without any means of livelihood, because we don't receive a salary anywhere ... we are self-employed," she said.

From Barron's Aug. 20, 2026

And instead of simply asking fishermen to stop, it has helped develop snail farming as an alternative livelihood.

From Barron's Jul. 23, 2026

It added: "Delaying this transaction will only harm entertainment workers who have already suffered over recent years as technology has disrupted their livelihood and cost California tens of thousands of entertainment jobs."

From BBC Jul. 13, 2026

He had never had any interest in the family livelihood.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

People whose livelihoods, traditions and cultural identities are closely tied to the ocean can experience significant emotional stress as familiar environments deteriorate.

From Science Daily Aug. 11, 2026

Their insecurity about AI’s impact on their livelihoods is growing.

From MarketWatch Aug. 10, 2026

That a wheel of Parmigiano could represent thousands of livelihoods.

From Salon Aug. 6, 2026

Nelson, who grew up in rural Abbott, Texas, and has a home there, called attention to the destructive environmental effects—“water thieving,” he wrote—and the impact on farmland, including small family farmers’ livelihoods.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 31, 2026

They walk under a cluster of trees which, only hours ago, housed the livelihoods of food hawkers.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie




Vocabulary lists containing livelihood


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