- 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.
Almost half of all children living with HIV were not receiving these drugs last year, the report warned.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
The singer, who likened herself to an “all-season” hibernating bear, said “I have not stopped living, and I have not stopped working” amid her health issues.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
It is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, with about 153,000 people in the UK living with the condition.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
I’m sure you know this, but I want to emphasize that your cost of living is about to go up considerably.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
I groped my way through the kitchen to the living room with the dark wall paneling.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
