quality of life

noun phrase

: overall enjoyment of life : general well-being

… the male characters on the show not only have a better chance of survival; they're also more likely to improve their quality of life through friendship.

—Juliet Lapidos

specifically : the degree to which a person or group is healthy, comfortable, and able to enjoy the activities of daily living

Migraine is a common disorder that can severely affect patients' quality of life and daily function.

—New England Journal of Medicine

—often hyphenated when used before another noun

A number of recent surveys have identified noise as New York City's greatest quality-of-life issue.

—Tom Vanderbilt

—abbreviation QOL

Examples of quality of life in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their funding priorities are to support and promote scholarship, research and service; enrich the quality of life of women and children; and encourage outreach and engagement in Arkansas. —Carin Schoppmeyer, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2025

While this condition is serious, many people find ways to cope and maintain a good quality of life. —Health, 27 Sep. 2025

Availability of disability care, and its cost, alongside disability-friendly access in different locations, and for transportation, are some key things that can improve the daily quality of life of those with disabilities. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025

There is no cure and healthcare providers focus on treatment to keep the cancer from spreading and maintain quality of life. —James Powel, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for quality of life

• afterlife
• pocketknife
• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• loosestrife
• midlife
• midwife
• nightlife
• penknife