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.
The state’s high cost of living and regulatory environment are often cited as reasons for residents opting to move.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026
I cannot vote here, which I have come to think of as the price of admission for living in a country whose politics do not become world headlines.
From Slate • Jun. 6, 2026
The researchers also warn that amoebae can act as living shelters for other harmful microbes.
From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026
The living space is heavily shielded with acoustic laminated glass and sound-dampening insulation in every cranny.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026
All three processes are the work of living microorganisms; Pasteur will call them "germs."
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
