- present participle of live.
living
Usage
What are other ways to say living?
Living and livelihood (a somewhat more formal word), both refer to what one earns to keep (oneself) alive, but are seldom interchangeable within the same phrase: to earn one's living; to threaten one's livelihood. “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. “To make a livelihood out of something” suggests rather making a business of it: to make a livelihood out of knitting hats. 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.
The question is whether Ted, working part time as the assistant manager of a supermarket, is living the best version of himself.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
Using specially designed nucleic acid probes, the team produced microscopic images showing intron RNA in living cells of Ca.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 5, 2026
He was seen as a living embodiment of a sport that has become a Wild West of free-flowing cash, rampant opportunism and nonexistent loyalty.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
I was in my living room, sunk into the chaise lounge I retreat to, comfortable in a way that now embarrasses me, when I heard my mother’s voice in the other room calling my father.
From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026
In Barnum's time, people will pay to see "living giants," "bearded ladies," and calves born with two heads.
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
