standard of living

noun phrase

1

: the necessities, comforts, and luxuries enjoyed or aspired to by an individual or group

2

: a minimum of necessities, comforts, or luxuries held essential to maintaining a person or group in customary or proper status or circumstances

Examples of standard of living in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The report also estimates that of the 75 million global garment and textile workers, 75 percent of that workforce are women facing a 41 percent wage gap versus the adequate standard of living, as of 2025. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 10 July 2026

But earnings — by themselves — do not promise a good standard of living if students leave school with thousands in debt to pay off. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026

With plenty of natural light, the apartments provide a quality standard of living. — Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026

As a result, workers enjoyed a strong job market and higher standards of living. — Barbara Hagenbaugh, USA Today, 22 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for standard of living

• almsgiving
• caregiving
• forgiving
• misgiving
• nonliving
• reliving
• thanksgiving
• giving
• sieving
• unforgiving

Kids Definition

standard of living

: the necessities, comforts, and luxuries that a person or group is accustomed to