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.
She eventually tracks down other Blumstein relations who had landed in Israel, finding them living in the same town as Ms. Gerson’s brother-in-law.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
The 2026 chart includes 65 entries by living composers, including Hans Zimmer, Rachel Portman and Ludovico Einaudi, reflecting the growing appeal of contemporary classical music.
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
It’s not often mentioned whether these retirees are living on monthly Social Security payments or something else.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026
Here, the Pacific Flyway compresses into a living mosaic of wings, water and soil.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026
He hadn’t known he was capable of Recollecting with living animals.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
