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.
“I’m deeply disturbed by reports of the poor conditions at Delaney Hall. Unsafe, inhumane and unconstitutional living conditions are completely unacceptable,” Sherrill said in a statement.
From Salon • May 30, 2026
A programme bringing wildlife closer to people living in the city has received National Lottery funding.
From BBC • May 30, 2026
Pfau recommends a globally diversified portfolio, though he notes that U.S. stocks may provide a better hedge for the U.S. inflation that impacts the retiree’s cost of living.
From Barron's • May 30, 2026
Our colleagues found that, 4,400 years ago, less than 20% of the ancestry of the people living there traced back to the earlier farmers and hunter-gatherers.
From Science Daily • May 30, 2026
The commanding officer knocked on the door of our living quarters, Mae’s and mine, the morning after Brightwood, the morning after what happened.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
