modus vivendi

American  

[moh-duhs vi-ven-dee, -dahy] / ˈmoʊ dəs vɪˈvɛn di, -daɪ /

noun

• modi vivendi
  plural

1. manner of living; way of life; lifestyle.

2. a temporary arrangement between persons or parties pending a settlement of matters in debate.

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modus vivendi British  

/ ˈməʊdəs vɪˈvɛndiː, -ˈvɛndaɪ /

noun

1. a working arrangement between conflicting interests; practical compromise

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modus vivendi Cultural  

1. A compromise between adversaries that allows them to get along temporarily: “During the separation, my parents adopted a modus vivendi that enabled them to tolerate each other.” From Latin, meaning a “method of living.”

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• modi vivendi
  plural

Etymology

Origin of modus vivendi

First recorded in 1875–80, modus vivendi is from Latin modus vivendī “mode of living”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

modus vivendi

Mr. Sharabi and his fellow hostages develop a modus vivendi with their captors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2025

Mr Deibert says that the gangs appear to have found a "modus vivendi" while they try to tear down the pillars of the state.

From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2024

Since that war, Hezbollah and Israel have maintained a respectful but wary modus vivendi, with the occasional tit-for-tat attack but little more.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2023

In fact, Nixon was considering a proposal by a senior State Department official—one of Kissinger’s aides—to reach a modus vivendi with Allende.

From Slate ● May 27, 2023

Even the children seldom fall out, the necessity of small communities living together for mutual protection compelling the members to establish a modus vivendi.

From The Adventures of John Jewitt Only Survivor of the Crew of the Ship Boston During a Captivity of Nearly Three Years Among the Indians of Nootka Sound in Vancouver Island by John Rodgers Jewitt