subsistence
- 01 C1 Advanced
the food, water, and money you need to stay alive.
the means of supporting life, particularly the barest necessities required for survival.
Simple“The family grew their own vegetables for subsistence during the long winter.”
In context“Many rural communities in the region still rely on subsistence farming, producing only enough crops to feed their own households.”
UsageOften used as a modifier, as in 'subsistence farming' or 'subsistence wages'.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
the act of keeping yourself alive at the lowest possible level.
the state or fact of maintaining oneself at a minimum level of existence.
Simple“The government provided a small payment to ensure the basic subsistence of the refugees.”
In context“The social security system was designed to provide a safety net that guaranteed a basic level of subsistence for all citizens.”
UsageCommonly follows the preposition 'for' or 'of'.
Antonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
the state of existing or being real.
the state of having actual being or existence; in philosophy, the persistence of a thing.
Simple“The philosopher questioned the subsistence of the soul after the body dies.”
In context“The treaty ensured the continued subsistence of the small state as an independent political entity.”
UsageUsed primarily in philosophical or highly formal legal contexts.
“Subsistence farmers feel the same way about their livestock.”
From Middle English subsistence; partly from Middle French subsistence (modern French subsistance) and partly from its etymon Late Latin subsistentia (“substance, reality, in Medieval Latin also stability”), from Latin subsistēns, present participle of subsistere (“to continue, subsist”). Perhaps also partly from subsist + -ence.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.