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Showing results for livelihood. Search instead for mivelhogy.
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.

"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

Parts of the novel are set in Ekwe’s village, where his farming family struggles to negotiate threats to its livelihood.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

The nominees for the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame are chosen by a group of around 40 industry professionals, described as inductees, academics and journalists whose passion, expertise, and livelihood is all about music.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Some who rely on fishing for their livelihood are hoping this year might mark the start of a long path toward regaining what they’ve lost.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

We played a game called “river kids,” imagining we lived alone on the river, scavenging for our livelihood and hiding from the adults who wanted to put us in an orphanage.

From "Turtles All the Way Down" by John Green




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