day-to-day

1 of 2

adjective

ˈdā-tə-ˈdā 

1

: taking place, made, or done in the course of days

in charge of day-to-day operations

also : everyday

day-to-day life

2

: providing for a day at a time with little thought for the future

an aimless day-to-day existence

day-to-day adverb

or day to day

struggling day-to-day [=every day] with depression

living day to day [=one day at a time]

… it's impossible to live with devastation day to day and not look on all the concern over one still-healthy individual as a vulgar spectacle.

—Robert Massa

day-to-day

2 of 2

noun

plural day-to-days

: a usual routine that occurs each day

… a feeling of hope and adventure that many of us lack in our day-to-day.

—Nathan Mattise

But the woman is fearless, living life in a perpetual state of curiosity despite her repetitive day-to-day.

—Alex Suskind

Synonyms

Adjective

• daily
• diurnal
• quotidian

Examples of day-to-day in a Sentence

Adjective

the day-to-day routine of commuting to work

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

And, once again, the region’s harsh climate and sparse daylight requires design elements that can improve the quality of day-to-day life. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024

Leadership Insight: Integrating these tools into workflows ensures technical debt is continuously identified, prioritized and addressed as part of day-to-day development. —Shyam Alok, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Noun

The actress is all about staying active in her day-to-day life, and likes to get some of that movement in while gardening. —Jacqueline Tempera, Women's Health, 21 Mar. 2023

Unique Coach CitySole technology optimizes comfort and flexibility within these shoes, and the low-top design is both stylish yet wearable for whatever your vacation or day-to-day life may have in store. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1965, in the meaning defined above

Video

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Kids Definition

day-to-day

adjective

ˈdāt-ə-ˌdā

1

: taking place, made, or done in the course of days

day-to-day problems

2

: providing for a day at a time with little thought of the future

a day-to-day existence