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.
Locals living near Hexthorpe Mini Market, where Harwe and Muhamadi worked, told us they were horrified but not surprised by the pair's crimes.
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026
But Justin Chukwu, 56, said he had been living fully legally in South Africa for nearly 30 years.
From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026
The small-but-mighty group is moving to college towns, enrolling in online programs or nearby community colleges, living in private housing, joining Greek life, and attending game-day tailgates.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
Dissatisfaction is building in L.A. as the city’s cost of living mounts and a new generation of young Angelenos are unable to buy homes.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026
And while he was less likely to get hurt than a living animal, drowning was one of the most dangerous dangers to undead creatures.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
