living

1 of 2

adjective

liv·​ing ˈli-viŋ How to pronounce living (audio)
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 historyNEA 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

living

2 of 2

noun

1
: the condition of being alive
2
a
: means of subsistence : livelihood
earning a living
b
archaic : estate, property
c
British : benefice sense 1
3
: conduct or manner of life
the collegiate way of livingJ. B. Conant

Examples 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
Adjective
These travelers generally don’t have known living relatives there, but the trip still connects them to their roots. Sarah Enelow-Snyder, Washington Post, 20 July 2024 Life How jumping spiders can distinguish the living from the non-living Eight-eyed arachnids can tell when an object’s movement is not quite right. Big Think, 24 June 2024
Noun
Outside, there’s plenty of lawn space between the outdoor living spaces and the water. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2024 Theresa is a commerce writer and product reviewer specializing in home improvement, lifestyle goods, outdoor living, furniture, appliances, and decor. Jessie Quinn, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for living 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'living.' 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

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of living was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near living

Cite this Entry

“Living.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/living. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

living

1 of 2 adjective
liv·​ing
ˈliv-iŋ
1
a
: not dead : alive
living authors
b
: active sense 4b
a living faith
2
: naturally giving life
living waters
3
a
: true to life
the living image of your mother
b
: fit for living
the living area

living

2 of 2 noun
1
: the condition of being alive
2
: conduct or manner of life
3
: what one has to have to meet one's needs
earned a living as a cook

More from Merriam-Webster on living

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