day-to-day

1 of 2

adjective

1
: taking place, made, or done in the course of days
in charge of day-to-day operations
also : everyday
day-to-day life
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

day-to-day

2 of 2

noun

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
But the woman is fearless, living life in a perpetual state of curiosity despite her repetitive day-to-day.Alex Suskind

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Even in noncrisis, day-to-day interactions, people are more likely to feel understood when someone uses active listening techniques instead of providing advice or feedback, according to a 2014 study published in the International Journal of Listening. Lydia Wang, Women's Health, 25 May 2023 The 41-year-old will play an active role in the day-to-day business and oversee creative direction of the company. People Staff, Peoplemag, 25 May 2023 Despite the overwhelming amount of research available, there’s seemingly little awareness among U.S. adults about how trees can positively affect our day-to-day well-being. Dan Lambe, Treehugger, 24 May 2023 The day-to-day cooking is executed with flair and consistency by chef de cuisine Nico Cezar. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 May 2023 Senzer will continue to run Additive Creative’s day-to-day operations, with Wheelhouse DNA managing director Fanny Baudry will oversee the talent management division. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 17 May 2023 Starlink Performance in 2023: Significantly Improved Since my initial review of Starlink, my day-to-day internet usage has remained the same. Brian Westover, PCMAG, 17 May 2023 Nauman Hussain was in charge of the day-to-day operations of Prestige Limousine when the company rented the stretch Ford Excursion SUV to a group celebrating a 30th birthday party on Oct. 6, 2018. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 17 May 2023 The draft spending plan consists of $258 million for its general fund, which pays for day-to-day operations like police and fire, $67 million for capital improvement projects and funds that cover other work, such as maintaining open space districts. Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2023
Noun
The actress is all about staying active in her day-to-day life, and likes to get some of that movement in while gardening. Jacqueline Tempera, Women's Health, 21 Mar. 2023 Unique Coach CitySole technology optimizes comfort and flexibility within these shoes, and the low-top design is both stylish yet wearable for whatever your vacation or day-to-day life may have in store. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2023 Defenseman Cale Makar is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, though it's not considered serious. Mike Brehm, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2023 The answer can be found in monotasking and embracing gratitude in our day-to-day lives. Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2023 Your holiday ensembles can look a bit different than your day-to-day uniform, especially in the spring and summer time, when playful dressing is at an all-time high. Rachel Besser, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2023 Tallulah Stallvik, a junior at The Cambridge School of Weston, used poetry to look at the little things affecting their day-to-day life. Abigail Lee, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Mar. 2023 In 2021, New City America took over day-to-day management of the avenue on behalf of the Association, formerly Third Avenue Village. Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2023 In all likelihood, only someone stuck in such day-to-day drudgery would refrain from asking too many questions when she’s offered what appears to be, if not a dream job, a safe refuge. Joe Leydon, Variety, 19 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'day-to-day.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of day-to-day was in 1862

Dictionary Entries Near day-to-day

Cite this Entry

“Day-to-day.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/day-to-day. Accessed 9 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

day-to-day

adjective
ˈdāt-ə-ˌdā
1
: taking place, made, or done in the course of days
day-to-day problems
2
: providing for a day at a time with little thought of the future
a day-to-day existence
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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