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.
Authorities are providing AI care devices -- some designed to detect signs of lonely deaths -- to seniors living alone, including in districts of Seoul and in Yongin, south of the capital.
From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026
"A lot of the charity shops around here, I think maybe because of the cost of living or rents, the prices are really expensive," she said.
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026
Such capabilities are considered essential prerequisites for the emergence of living systems.
From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026
Residents living in these areas are advised to stay indoors where possible — especially people with respiratory or heart disease, elderly individuals and children.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
They were living in rubble heaps, half-standing buildings, and abandoned army trucks.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
