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REFERENCE

living

n. · adj.
US //ˈɫɪvɪŋ// UK //lˈɪvɪŋ// liv·ing
  1. 1 money for life (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the money you earn to pay for food, housing, and other needs.

    a means of maintaining life or a livelihood; the financial resources required for subsistence.

    Example

    He makes a living by selling handmade furniture online.

    Example

    After the factory closed, many residents struggled to find a new way to earn a living in such a remote area.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the phrase 'make a living'.
  2. 2 lifestyle (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the way that you live your life.

    a particular manner or style of life.

    Example

    The doctor recommended healthy living and more exercise.

    Example

    The book explores the benefits of sustainable living in modern urban environments.

    Usage

    Often follows an adjective like 'healthy', 'clean', or 'simple'.
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  1. 3 the living (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    people who are currently alive.

    those who are alive, collectively; usually preceded by the definite article.

    Example

    The memorial was built to remind the living of the sacrifices made in the past.

    Example

    The poet often contrasted the concerns of the living with the silence of the graveyard.
    • the alive
    • the dead
  2. 4 alive (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    having life; not dead.

    possessing life; currently alive and not dead or inanimate.

    Example

    Every living thing in the garden needs water during the heatwave.

    Example

    The biologist spent years studying the unique characteristics of every living organism found in the deep-sea trench.
  3. 5 active or current (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    still being used or active today.

    currently in use, existing, or active; not obsolete or static.

    Example

    English is a living language that changes every year.

    Example

    The constitution is often described as a living document that must be interpreted in the context of modern society.
Etymology 1

From Middle English livynge, libbyng, livinde, livand, livende, libbinde, libbende, from Old English lifiġende, lifiende, libbende, from Proto-West Germanic libbjandī, from Proto-Germanic libjandz (“living”), present participle of Proto-Germanic *libjaną (“to live”), equivalent to live + -ing. Cognate with West Frisian libbend (“living”), Dutch levend (“living”), German lebend (“living”), Swedish levande (“living”), Icelandic lifandi (“living”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English livynge, libbynge, equivalent to live + -ing. Cognate with Middle Dutch levinge, (whence Dutch leving (“way of life, living”)), Middle Low German lēvinge (“living”).

Idioms6 entries

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