modus vivendi

[ moh-duhs vi-ven-dee, -dahy ]

/ ˈmoʊ dəs vɪˈvɛn di, -daɪ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for modus vivendi on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural mo·di vi·ven·di

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

manner of living; way of life; lifestyle.

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

QUIZ

ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ

There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!

Question 1 of 7

True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of modus vivendi

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

Words nearby modus vivendi

modulus of elasticity, modulus of rigidity, modus operandi, modus ponens, modus tollens, modus vivendi, Moe, Moebius, moer, Moerae, Moers

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use modus vivendi in a sentence

That seems to be the modus operandi as The League moves closer to the seven-year itch.
The MVPs of Sleaze Are Back: FXX's 'The League' Ups the Degenerate Ante|Emily Shire|September 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Each new creative wave that comes along seems to have to challenge the previous modus operandi.
The Doors Never Sold Out to Crass Commercialism|John Densmore|September 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Rubin echoed this message today, explicitly endorsing it as a modus operandi for the Egyptian military.
Neocon Scholar: Keep Bloodying The Brotherhood|Ali Gharib|August 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As always with CBS, if it's not broken, don't fix it seems to be their modus operandi.
CBS Announces 2013-14 Primetime Schedule|Jace Lacob|May 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST

In fact, my whole modus vivendi is dictated by the needs of writing.
Literary City: Boris Akunin, a Dissident in Moscow|Henry Krempels|April 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Once satisfied that it was just and honourable, and it was comparatively child's work to arrange the modus operandi.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
By means of an accepted code of rules a kind of modus vivendi in this respect is obtained.
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman
He had a modus operandi of making the conditional mood mean the imperative.
The British Expedition to the Crimea|William Howard Russell
They might, too, have told us to advantage something about the modus operandi of "walking a plank."
The Bay State Monthly, Volume 1, Issue 5, May, 1884|Various
The Major chuckled, and admitted this might be so; his old governor used to say, "Est modus in rebus, sunt certi denique fines."
Somehow Good|William de Morgan

British Dictionary definitions for modus vivendi

modus vivendi

/ (ˈməʊdəs vɪˈvɛndiː, -ˈvɛndaɪ) /

noun plural modi vivendi (ˈməʊdiː vɪˈvɛndiː, ˈməʊdaɪ vɪˈvɛndaɪ)

a working arrangement between conflicting interests; practical compromise

Word Origin for modus vivendi

C19: from Latin: way of living

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for modus vivendi

modus vivendi

[ (moh-duhs vi-ven-dee, vi-ven-deye) ]

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.”

modus vivendi

Origin of modus vivendi

Words nearby modus vivendi

Words related to modus vivendi

How to use modus vivendi in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for modus vivendi

Word Origin for modus vivendi

Cultural definitions for modus vivendi