# livelihood

/ˈɫaɪvɫiˌhʊd/ (US) · /lˈaɪvlihˌʊd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/livelihood
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. means of living

noun · CEFR B2

the way you earn money to pay for food, a home, and other basic needs.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. liveliness

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old-fashioned word for having a lot of energy or looking very alive.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Fishing is the main livelihood for people in this village.
- The new environmental regulations could threaten the livelihood of thousands of local farmers who depend on the land.
- Many traditional artisans found their livelihood endangered by the sudden influx of cheap, mass-produced goods that flooded the local market during the industrial boom.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.