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.
For 20 years, the Ngogo chimps of Uganda’s Kibale National Park “were living the good life by being together,” Mitani said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
Dev Hynes’ 2025 was highlighted by the release of the emotionally driven “Essex Honey,” which he told The Times was “made from a place of living life” rather than living in the music.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
If you take a closer look at its gold plaque, it becomes clear that it is dedicated in living memory of someone, rather than someone who has died.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
Yehuda Bandel, a 70-year-old retired teacher living in a suburb of the coastal city of Tel Aviv, felt the same joy.
From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026
Hours ago, Clare had told Gingersnipes that nearly every living thing had a soul.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
