living

American  

[liv-ing] / ˈlɪv ɪŋ /

adjective

1. having life; being alive; not dead.

   living persons.

   Synonyms:

   quick, live

   Antonyms:

   dead

2. in actual existence or use; extant.

   living languages.

3. active or thriving; vigorous; strong.

   a living faith.

   Synonyms:

   flourishing, lively

4. burning or glowing, as a coal.

5. flowing freely, as water.

6. pertaining to, suitable for, or sufficient for existence or subsistence.

   living conditions; a living wage.

7. of or relating to living persons.

   within living memory.

8. lifelike; true to life, as a picture or narrative.

9. in its natural state and place; not uprooted, changed, etc..

   living rock.

10. Informal. very; absolute (used as an intensifier).

    You scared the living daylights out of me!

    He's making her life a living hell.

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noun

1. the act or condition of a person or thing that lives.

   Living is very expensive these days.

2. the means of maintaining life; livelihood.

   to earn one's living.

   Synonyms:

   subsistence, sustenance

3. a particular manner, state, or status of life.

   luxurious living.

4. (used with a plural verb) Usually the living living persons collectively.

   glad to be back among the living.

5. British. the benefice of a member of the clergy.

living British  

/ ˈlɪvɪŋ /

adjective

1. 1. possessing life; not dead

   2. ( as collective noun preceded by the )

      the living

2. having the characteristics of life (used esp to distinguish organisms from nonliving matter)

3. currently in use or valid

   living language

4. seeming to be real

   a living image

5. (of animals or plants) existing in the present age; extant Compare extinct

6. geology another word for live 2

7. presented by actors before a live audience

   living theatre

8. (prenominal) (intensifier)

   the living daylights

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noun

1. the condition of being alive

2. the manner in which one conducts one's life

   fast living

3. the means, esp the financial means, whereby one lives

4. Church of England another term for benefice

5. (modifier) of, involving, or characteristic of everyday life

   living area

6. (modifier) of or involving those now alive (esp in the phrase living memory )

Usage

What are other ways to say living?

A person’s living is their means of maintaining life. How is this term different from livelihood and maintenance? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

Other Word Forms

• livingly adverb
• livingness noun
• nonliving adjective
• quasi-living adjective
• unliving adjective

Etymology

Origin of living

First recorded before 900; Middle English adjective lyvyng(e); replacing earlier liviende, Old English lifgende ( live ¹, -ing ² ); Middle English noun living(e) ( -ing ¹ )

Example Sentences

Unfortunately for those who watch the Fed for a living, there is no particular reason the president has to announce a pick any time soon—or, really ever.

From Barron's

That suggests it wasn’t better living spaces that helped kids, so much as a better connection to a thriving community.

From The Wall Street Journal

After a period in which companies hired rapidly and granted work-from-home freedom, we are living through a correction characterized by layoffs and close monitoring.

From The Wall Street Journal

Part of the builder’s advantage has been its diverse customer base and higher-margin product for older adults seeking community living.

From Barron's

Paulo found an unemployed gospel singer who made a living scavenging Latin America's largest trash dump.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• existence
• income
• job
• livelihood