day-to-day
Americanadjective
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occurring each day; daily.
day-to-day chores; day-to-day worries.
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concerned only with immediate needs or desires without preparation for the future.
adjective
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Also, from day to day.
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Continuously, without interruption, on a daily basis. For example, Running this office day to day is not an easy task . [Late 1800s]
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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.
He has been day-to-day since injuring his right ankle against Orlando on March 21.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
But the economists said that much of the money was simply paying for day-to-day spending.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
"But in Charlotte, they've got the latest technology and recovery. The layout of these are all very much equipped for what we want, what we expect and what the players want day-to-day at their clubs."
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
“That higher starting yield can improve the long-term income profile of a portfolio, even if day-to-day pricing remains uneven.”
From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026
Our own day-to-day survival may no longer depend on our ability to sing, but our ancient ancestors were on to something that applies to modern lives, too.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
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.
