1
a
: having life
b
: active, functioning
living languages
2
a
: exhibiting the life or motion of nature : natural
the wilderness is a living museum … of natural history—
NEA Jour.
NEA Jour.3
a
: full of life or vigor
b
: true to life : vivid
televised in living color
c
: suited for living
the living area
4
: involving living persons
5
: very
—used as an intensive
scared the living daylights out of me
livingness
noun
1
: the condition of being alive
2
a
: means of subsistence : livelihood
earning a living
c
British
: benefice sense 1
3
: conduct or manner of life
the collegiate way of living—J. B. Conant
J. B. ConantExamples of living in a Sentence
Adjective
I was taught to respect all living things.
His aunt is his closest living relative.
He's one of our greatest living authors.
It was the first time I had ever seen a living, breathing bear in the wild.
Noun
the challenges of city living
It's summertime, and the living is easy.
the living and the dead
The world belongs to the living.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sara Netzley, EW.com, 5 May 2025
This is a living example of how businesses can harness AI and microgrids to increase operational efficiency, support sustainability goals and better prepare for energy volatility.
—Frederic Godemel, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2025
As the cost of living has crept higher in subsequent years, some states and municipalities have boosted their own minimum wages through a combination of ballot measures, inflation adjustments and legislation.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for living
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
The hatch falls open with a bang that has Dina on high alert, but not a living (or semi-living) soul emerges.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 5 May 2025
This is a living example of how businesses can harness AI and microgrids to increase operational efficiency, support sustainability goals and better prepare for energy volatility.
—Frederic Godemel, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Noun
While there are only renderings of the rooms (for now), the vision includes light wood floors, bright white linens, separate sleeping and living spaces, and massive floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that open to verandas, allowing the Egyptian sun to illuminate every inch of the ship.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2025
As the cost of living has crept higher in subsequent years, some states and municipalities have boosted their own minimum wages through a combination of ballot measures, inflation adjustments and legislation.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for living
Cite this Entry
“Living.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/living. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share