living
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.the money you earn to pay for food, housing, and other needs.
n.a means of maintaining life or a livelihood; the financial resources required for subsistence.
Simple“He makes a living by selling handmade furniture online.”
In context“After the factory closed, many residents struggled to find a new way to earn a living in such a remote area.”
UsageCommonly used in the phrase 'make a living'.
Synonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
n.the way that you live your life.
n.a particular manner or style of life.
Simple“The doctor recommended healthy living and more exercise.”
In context“The book explores the benefits of sustainable living in modern urban environments.”
UsageOften follows an adjective like 'healthy', 'clean', or 'simple'.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.people who are currently alive.
n.those who are alive, collectively; usually preceded by the definite article.
Simple“The memorial was built to remind the living of the sacrifices made in the past.”
In context“The poet often contrasted the concerns of the living with the silence of the graveyard.”
Synonymsthe aliveAntonymsthe dead - 04 A2 Elementary
adj.having life; not dead.
adj.possessing life; currently alive and not dead or inanimate.
Simple“Every living thing in the garden needs water during the heatwave.”
In context“The biologist spent years studying the unique characteristics of every living organism found in the deep-sea trench.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.still being used or active today.
adj.currently in use, existing, or active; not obsolete or static.
Simple“English is a living language that changes every year.”
In context“The constitution is often described as a living document that must be interpreted in the context of modern society.”
Usage living costs · living organisms · living room
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”).
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.