# living

/ˈɫɪvɪŋ/ (US) · /lˈɪvɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/living
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. money for life

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- He makes a living by selling handmade furniture online.
- 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. lifestyle

noun · CEFR B1

the way that you live your life.

For teachers: a particular manner or style of life.

- The doctor recommended healthy living and more exercise.
- The book explores the benefits of sustainable living in modern urban environments.

Usage: Often follows an adjective like 'healthy', 'clean', or 'simple'.

### 3. the living

noun · CEFR B2

people who are currently alive.

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

- The memorial was built to remind the living of the sacrifices made in the past.
- The poet often contrasted the concerns of the living with the silence of the graveyard.

### 4. alive

adjective · CEFR A2

having life; not dead.

For teachers: possessing life; currently alive and not dead or inanimate.

- Every living thing in the garden needs water during the heatwave.
- The biologist spent years studying the unique characteristics of every living organism found in the deep-sea trench.

### 5. active or current

adjective · CEFR B2

still being used or active today.

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

- English is a living language that changes every year.
- The constitution is often described as a living document that must be interpreted in the context of modern society.

## Examples

- She makes a good living as a graphic designer.
- After years of working for others, he finally started his own business to earn a living on his own terms.
- The transition from traditional agriculture to industrial labor forced many families to find a new way of making a living in the rapidly expanding urban centers.

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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.