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

That may mean a better quality of life as defined by a more walkable community, access to attractions like the outdoors or cultural events, fresh food, or other perks. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026

Industry advocates argue that the proposal is about preserving small, familiar routines that contribute to quality of life. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026

Homelessness is a subject that cuts to the core of Mamdani’s vision of a New York where safety and inclusivity are not in conflict, where the quality of life in the city is improved and not diminished by one’s proximity to fellow New Yorkers. —Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026

In terms of quality of life — affluence, food quality and production, life expectancies, standard of living almost everywhere — the news is astoundingly good. —Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 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