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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.

See Examples For:

It meant she was free to report Holder, who was no longer her boss, and "the threat was taken away" from her livelihood.

From BBC Jul. 1, 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

"People are worried whether that's going to impact their jobs, their ability to have a livelihood," Pineau said.

From Barron's May 15, 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

The world was too small, and both my safety and my livelihood were at stake.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

They “describe” an environment that has harmed their reputations and livelihoods.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 14, 2026

But Greenpeace said the project will only "create temporary jobs while undermining existing livelihoods in fishing, tourism and small-scale local economies".

From Barron's Jul. 14, 2026

"Drivers also need to understand the consequences because a bridge strike can jeopardise their own career, the business they work for and other people's livelihoods."

From BBC Jul. 5, 2026

As AI becomes more prominent, some creatives have expressed concerns that the technology could take away their livelihoods and are worried their work is being used to train AI models without their permission or compensation.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 22, 2026

“Well, since we’re claiming this is an emergency and that many livelihoods are at stake, I’d say three to six months.”

From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen




Vocabulary lists containing livelihood


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