work-life balance

American  

[wurk-lahyf bal-uhns] / ˈwɜrkˈlaɪf ˌbæl əns /

Or work/life balance

noun

1. a situation in which one divides or balances one's time between work and activities outside of work.

   It's hard to achieve a reasonable work-life balance when you run your own business.

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Etymology

Origin of work-life balance

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Timaru has become a magnet for medical workers fed up with the American healthcare system and seeking better work-life balance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

The 43-year-old British entrepreneur is coming out with a book, Start With Yourself, that she says will “dismantle the lies that women have been sold” about work-life balance and ambition.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

That may be out of step with the modern emphasis on work-life balance that many career advisers promote.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

"We cannot maintain prosperity with a four-day week and work-life balance," he has told them.

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

Head teachers are struggling to find a work-life balance as they describe the pressures in their schools as "exhausting and untenable".

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026