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

Data centers encapsulate existing concerns among red and blue voters across the nation and in California about their quality of life and the influence of major tech companies, said Sonoma State University political science professor David McCuan. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Research shows that treatment works and that hearing aids do improve communication, social engagement, and the overall quality of life. — Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026

The finding matters because hemorrhoids affect quality of life, work and mental well-being for millions, and the causes go beyond diet or straining alone. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

The lawsuit alleges four families with addresses in Mansfield, Georgia have had irreparable damage to their property and quality of life throughout the construction and operation of the Meta data center. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for quality of life

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