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

There followed an interminable series of arguments, interrupted by truces, till at last Anselm, at the king’s suggestion, went to Rome to see if the pope could arrange some modus vivendi.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 5 English History by Various