standard of living

noun phrase

1

: the necessities, comforts, and luxuries enjoyed or aspired to by an individual or group

2

: a minimum of necessities, comforts, or luxuries held essential to maintaining a person or group in customary or proper status or circumstances

Examples of standard of living in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Americans, especially younger and future generations, will feel the loss with a lower standard of living. — Medora Lee, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Idaho’s strong economy and high standard of living has been capturing the attention of national publications. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 5 Aug. 2026

That gloom extends far beyond assessments of the current time period; the Post/Ipsos poll found that 59% of Americans doubt their family's ability to improve their standard of living, outnumbering optimists by nearly 20 points. — Emily Guskin, ABC News, 29 July 2026

Further complicating matters, municipal leaders say, the best governors and legislators have been unable to reverse the damage that property taxes have done to schools, the economy and many families’ standard of living. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for standard of living

• almsgiving
• caregiving
• forgiving
• misgiving
• nonliving
• reliving
• thanksgiving
• giving
• sieving
• unforgiving

Kids Definition

standard of living

: the necessities, comforts, and luxuries that a person or group is accustomed to