1
a
: having life
b
: active, functioning
living languages
2
a
: exhibiting the life or motion of nature : natural
the wilderness is a living museum … of natural history—
NEA Jour.
NEA Jour.3
a
: full of life or vigor
b
: true to life : vivid
televised in living color
c
: suited for living
the living area
4
: involving living persons
5
: very
—used as an intensive
scared the living daylights out of me
livingness
noun
1
: the condition of being alive
2
a
: means of subsistence : livelihood
earning a living
c
British
: benefice sense 1
3
: conduct or manner of life
the collegiate way of living—J. B. Conant
J. B. ConantSynonyms
Examples of living in a Sentence
Adjective
I was taught to respect all living things.
His aunt is his closest living relative.
He's one of our greatest living authors.
It was the first time I had ever seen a living, breathing bear in the wild.
Noun
the challenges of city living
It's summertime, and the living is easy.
the living and the dead
The world belongs to the living.
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Ralphs, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2024
For one couple seeking more living space in Los Angeles, the question was whether or not to build an addition onto their bungalow or convert their two-car garage into an ADU.
—Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 4 Oct. 2024
Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
In combination with the mild climate, this creates an environment perfectly suited for yachting and fine living.
—Dubai Tourism Contributor, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for living 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Once the spirits have settled into their family homes to live and share meals as honored guests, more living relatives travel from far and wide to bring gifts and pay their respects.
—Matt Ralphs, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2024
For one couple seeking more living space in Los Angeles, the question was whether or not to build an addition onto their bungalow or convert their two-car garage into an ADU.
—Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 4 Oct. 2024
Noun
This two-story home boasts a generous living space with four bedrooms and three bathrooms.
—Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
In combination with the mild climate, this creates an environment perfectly suited for yachting and fine living.
—Dubai Tourism Contributor, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for living
Dictionary Entries Near living
Cite this Entry
“Living.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/living. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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