quality of life

noun phrase

: overall enjoyment of life : general well-being

… the male characters on the show not only have a better chance of survival; they're also more likely to improve their quality of life through friendship.

—Juliet Lapidos

specifically : the degree to which a person or group is healthy, comfortable, and able to enjoy the activities of daily living

Migraine is a common disorder that can severely affect patients' quality of life and daily function.

—New England Journal of Medicine

—often hyphenated when used before another noun

A number of recent surveys have identified noise as New York City's greatest quality-of-life issue.

—Tom Vanderbilt

—abbreviation QOL

Examples of quality of life in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract that causes persistent digestive symptoms, pain and fatigue, significantly affecting quality of life. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026

That includes Florida, where the quality of life drives the economic powerhouses of tourism and real estate. —Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2026

The study draws on the Global Peace Index, which rates the Netherlands among the most peaceful countries in the world, reflecting the country’s low crime rates, political stability, and strong quality of life. —Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026

Also required are 200 hours of personal development, which can include developing social and life skills as well as interests, and 200 hours of physical fitness, spent in any way that improves health and quality of life. —Magda Liszewska, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for quality of life

• afterlife
• pocketknife
• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• loosestrife
• midlife
• midwife
• nightlife
• penknife