day-to-day
Americanadjective
-
occurring each day; daily.
day-to-day chores; day-to-day worries.
-
concerned only with immediate needs or desires without preparation for the future.
adjective
-
Also, from day to day.
-
Continuously, without interruption, on a daily basis. For example, Running this office day to day is not an easy task . [Late 1800s]
-
live from day to day . Be interested only in immediate concerns, without thought for the future. For example, Jean lives from day to day, planning nothing in advance . Also see live for the moment .
Etymology
Origin of day-to-day
Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200
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.
But the economists said that much of the money was simply paying for day-to-day spending.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
The first is coverage of day-to-day preventive care that includes medications to manage a chronic condition or quick visits to urgent care.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026
Speaking about his split from this first wife Jane, he said being away "changes you" as he was not involved in the day-to-day lives of his family and friends.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026
MiniMax has implemented policies at the company to facilitate adoption of AI by its own staff in their day-to-day work, in view of inching toward what its founders are trying to realize.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
For the most part, we all kind of went about our day-to-day lives and got ready for summer vacation.
From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.