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.
Oh Sun-hwa, a nurse who recommended the doll to Bang, said she had seen it significantly ease depression among seniors living alone.
From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026
Jellyfish, worms and crustaceans are among the community of creatures living off the huge spread of carcasses.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Real hourly earnings climbed 3.4% on a yearly basis, while the overall cost of living climbed 4.2%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Wednesday.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026
Some may even have become incorporated into living organisms.
From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026
Gertie Hornbostel’s life at the Santo Tomas internment camp has become a living nightmare.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
