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.
Spending on Welfare is based on the amount spent on key benefits like Universal Credit, PLP, Job Seekers' Allowance, PIP and Disability Living Allowance.
From BBC • May 23, 2026
Living in the beach city for more than 50 years, he wondered why nothing could be done about the trash washed in by the San Gabriel River.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
Living in Guadeloupe, Ms. Sinnapah Mary is an Afro-Caribbean artist who is also the descendant of Indian indentured workers brought to the island by the French after slavery ended.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026
Living below one’s means and avoiding lifestyle creep allows me to access more of what I call my numinous self.
From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026
Living in this world of complete uncertainty is more and more frustrating.
From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
