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.
Aligned with the Value Jersey movement, his campaign focussed heavily on the cost of living on the island.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
To test these assumptions, we analysed more than 500 teeth from 27 primate species, both extinct and living.
From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026
The New World Screwworm is a fly whose larvae feed on living tissue, and can infect cattle, wildlife, pets and, rarely, people.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
It very easily could be a desire to evangelize and spread the message of a certain way of living, but it also could just be wanting to sell a mixing bowl.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
Gertie Hornbostel’s life at the Santo Tomas internment camp has become a living nightmare.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
