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

It seems the Rodriguez and the Trump administrations are finding a modus vivendi.

From BBC ● Jan. 15, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2025

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

Through his action alone is there any chance of bringing about a modus vivendi in Europe, one which provisionally at least shall be fairly just.

From The Forerunners by Romain Rolland