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

Many arrive seeking opportunity, affordability or a better quality of life. — Brian Henriquez, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026

Her closing argument gestured broadly toward supporting public education, tenants, and quality of life, without specifics that voters could hold onto. — Bradley Honan, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026

But there has been a 30% decline in North America’s wild bird population over the last 50 years, which affects the economy and our quality of life. — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

Remission of hepatocellular carcinoma has been reported in a few cases in a single study, and a formula containing reishi and ligustrum helped maintain the quality of life in non-small cell lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 26 June 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