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.
They were living, working, eating and sleeping in a space about the same size as a minibus.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
Given this variation, perhaps it isn’t surprising that each generation feels some living costs make it tough to get ahead.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026
The ability to create and maintain reactive intermediate molecules in water also brings scientists closer to replicating the chemistry that naturally occurs inside living cells, which are mostly composed of water.
From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2026
Pensioners and families living on fixed incomes are hit the hardest, forced to stretch rations, skip meals or rely on remittances from relatives abroad — if they are lucky enough to have them.
From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026
I got my phone and a candle and carried them into the living room.
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
