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.
“Instead, we are living in a world where central banks are going to increasingly be forced to handle major, low probability events, often which are not economic or that emerge from abroad.”
From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026
A growing segment of Angelenos also chafe at the city’s high cost of living.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026
This usually applies to people with a severe learning disability or dementia, living in locked rehabilitation units or placements such as supported living or care homes.
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
Justice Neil Gorsuch recently referred to the Declaration as “our nation’s report card,” by which we assess how well we’re living up to its principles.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
Maggie’s father had recently passed, and she and her little sister, Virginia, were temporarily living with their aunt Mabel and uncle Roy in Michigan while her mom finished nursing school back in Oklahoma.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
