Word
livelihood
Phoneticsliveli·hood
US/ˈɫaɪvɫiˌhʊd/
UK/lˈaɪvlihˌʊd/
Definitions
01means of living
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the way you earn money to pay for food, a home, and other basic needs.
n. a means of providing the necessities of life for oneself, typically through employment or a trade.
“Many fishermen lost their livelihood when the government closed the local port.”
“The sudden collapse of the tourism industry threatened the livelihood of thousands of families who relied on seasonal visitors for their annual income.”
Usage
Often used with verbs like 'earn', 'lose', or 'threaten'.
Synonyms
02liveliness
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Archaic
n. an old-fashioned word for having a lot of energy or looking very alive.
n. the quality of being lively or having the appearance of life.
“The old painting still had a certain livelihood in the character's eyes.”
“The poet remarked upon the livelihood of the spring blossoms, noting how they seemed to dance with a spirit of their own.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Like many families here, hers depends on the forest for its livelihood.” “However, leaving disease out of climate policy ignores emissions that don't produce food or benefit livelihoods.” Etymology
From Middle English liflode, from Old English līflād (“course of life, conduct”), from līf (“life”) + lād (“course, journey”), later altered under the influence of lively, -hood. Compare life, lode.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/livelihood