1
: taking place, made, or done in the course of days
in charge of day-to-day operations
2
: providing for a day at a time with little thought for the future
an aimless day-to-day existence
day-to-day
adverb
or day to day
struggling day-to-day [=every day] with depression
living day to day [=one day at a time]
… it's impossible to live with devastation day to day and not look on all the concern over one still-healthy individual as a vulgar spectacle.
—
Robert Massa
Robert Massa
plural day-to-days
: a usual routine that occurs each day
… a feeling of hope and adventure that many of us lack in our day-to-day.—Nathan Mattise
Nathan MattiseBut the woman is fearless, living life in a perpetual state of curiosity despite her repetitive day-to-day.—Alex Suskind
Alex SuskindExamples of day-to-day in a Sentence
Adjective
the day-to-day routine of commuting to work
Recent Examples on the Web
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
Her methodical approach and deep Latin American expertise position her to handle day-to-day diplomacy as Washington recalibrates its relationship with Caracas.
—Yamlek Mojica Loaisiga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
But as Burnett’s television empire grew, other executive producers like Tom Shelly and Doug McCallie assumed the role of overseeing the day-to-day filming logistics, with Burnett still signing off on key creative elements.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for day-to-day
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
His campaign disputes that characterization, emphasizing his role on the administration’s FEMA Review Council, a body tasked with evaluating disaster policy rather than managing day-to-day operations, according to reporting from the Charlotte Observer.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
Her methodical approach and deep Latin American expertise position her to handle day-to-day diplomacy as Washington recalibrates its relationship with Caracas.
—Yamlek Mojica Loaisiga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
The Loneliest Man is much more observational, following Cook through the creeping day-to-day routine of transforming his existence.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
But as Burnett’s television empire grew, other executive producers like Tom Shelly and Doug McCallie assumed the role of overseeing the day-to-day filming logistics, with Burnett still signing off on key creative elements.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for day-to-day
Video
Is It 'day today' or 'day-to-day'?
What about Day Tomorrow?
Cite this Entry
“Day-to-day.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/day-to-day. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
