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.
China has been recruiting top scientists back home with offers of generous funding, cutting-edge labs, social stability and high standards of living in megacities.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026
It comes as war in the Middle East is causing some to switch to European destinations, while warnings of potential jet fuel shortages and the high cost of living are putting others off holidays completely.
From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026
To evaluate whether the artificial neurons could truly interact with living systems, the researchers partnered with Indira M. Raman, the Bill and Gayle Cook Professor of Neurobiology at Weinberg.
From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026
He’s the chief living representative of the new covenant between God and man that allows all to seek forgiveness for their sins.
From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026
Beyond it being entirely unsafe, he had no desire for the scrutiny of living animals.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
