day-to-day

1 of 2

adjective

ˈdā-tə-ˈdā 

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

Synonyms of day-to-day

Adjective

• daily

Examples of day-to-day in a Sentence

Adjective

the day-to-day routine of commuting to work

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Because devices are always within reach, kids' screen time habits are affecting their sleep and mood, which may impact their schoolwork and day-to-day behavior. — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 28 June 2026

And for far too many Americans, those contradictions have become their day-to-day life. — ABC News, 28 June 2026

Noun

Shield said Cervera benefits from both a milder political climate on the dais and his willingness to talk to parents to resolve day-to-day issues that may seem small in the grand scheme of things. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

The jet stream – the ultimate arbiter of day-to-day weather – dictates where warmer air and cooler air are allowed to settle across North America. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1965, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for day-to-day

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Video

Is It 'day today' or 'day-to-day'?

What about Day Tomorrow?

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