Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for livelihood. Search instead for livelihed.
Definitions

livelihood

[lahyv-lee-hood] / ˈlaɪv liˌhʊd /


Usage

What are other ways to say livelihood? Livelihood and the less formal word living, both refer to what one earns to keep (oneself) alive, but are seldom interchangeable within the same phrase: to threaten one's livelihood; to earn one's living. “To make a livelihood out of something” suggests making a business of it: to make a livelihood out of knitting hats. “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.  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.

Windsor sits across the Detroit River from the U.S., and the city relies on automotive manufacturing and U.S. trade for its economic livelihood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Emma Hodge from the East Antrim hounds said she is very concerned at the proposed legislation and the impact it will have on her pack and her livelihood.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

"We have no land to farm, no livestock to earn our livelihood from... this is all we know."

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

Parts of the novel are set in Ekwe’s village, where his farming family struggles to negotiate threats to its livelihood.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

“It’s my livelihood, sir. And no real use to you.”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss




Vocabulary lists containing livelihood


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "livelihood" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com