Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

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.

Many of Calingasta's 11,000 residents depend directly or indirectly on mining for a livelihood.

From Barron's • May 23, 2026

"People are worried whether that's going to impact their jobs, their ability to have a livelihood," Pineau said.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

And not just because one of the leading contestants torched himself and his political livelihood in a bonfire of hubris and stupidity.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2026

The extension of canals and steamboat travel to some extent complemented, rather than competed with, the road’s livelihood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

They did not feel they should lose their livelihood to reward the troops, and they were angry.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby




Vocabulary lists containing livelihood


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "livelihood" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com