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

Through collective giving, the fund directs resources to programs that strengthen community well-being and quality of life, the news release stated. —Dawn Giangiulio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026

For Colorado families and home buyers, the study stresses the importance of evaluating not just the price tag but also the full spectrum of factors—education, safety, and quality of life. —Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026

Advocates warned that a single exam conducted on a relatively stable day risks flattening that reality, overlooking harder stretches and the cumulative toll on a veteran's quality of life. —Steven Beynon, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026

The study analyzed all 50 states on economic factors, such as cost of living, rent prices, annual healthcare costs, quality of life, and the four percent rule for withdrawals that prevents retirees from depleting their savings too early. —Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 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