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

The mission of the Valley Economic Alliance is to engage and unite Valley stakeholders to raise the standards of living and economic vitality across the five-city region – Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale, Los Angeles and San Fernando — with more than 160,000 businesses and 2 million-plus residents. —Marianne Love, Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026

In July 2021, protests erupted across Cuba, demanding more freedom and a better standard of living. —Joseph J. Gonzalez, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026

In July 2021, protests erupted across Cuba, demanding more freedom and a better standard of living. —Joseph J. Gonzalez, The Conversation, 7 Jan. 2026

Chile has a higher standard of living than most of its neighbors and is an attractive destination for migrants. —Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2025

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