standard of living

American  

noun

1. a grade or level of subsistence and comfort in everyday life enjoyed by a community, class, or individual.

   The well-educated generally have a high standard of living.

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standard of living British  

noun

1. a level of subsistence or material welfare of a community, class, or person

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standard of living Cultural  

1. A term describing the amount of goods and services that an average family or individual views as necessary.

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Etymology

Origin of standard of living

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

standard of living

The perceived threat to their jobs and standard of living has added to Americans’ anxieties about the job market.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 11, 2026

He also said his standard of living was "very, very low".

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

“It’s misleading to conclude that Europeans have a clearly lower standard of living than Americans when they have essentially just made different choices.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026

A recent report suggested more than three-quarters of workers are set to miss out on a moderate standard of living in later life.

From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026

The relatively high standard of living that she can now enjoy— enough for a small apartment and car in Bangalore—is good for America as well.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman