live off
verb
lived off; living off; lives off
: to use (something or someone) as the main source of what one needs to survive (such as money or food)
… the indigenous … people, who have inhabited the rain forest of Irian Jaya, living off the land, for thousands of years.—
Eyal Press
Eyal Press… the fish goes into a kind of hibernation, living off its reserves of fat …—Mark Carwardine
Mark Carwardine… she is one of the few Iditarod competitors who have turned professional, living off race winnings.—National Wildlife
National Wildlife… a growing subculture of people who have reduced their spending habits and live off consumer waste.—Erika Hayasaki
Erika HayasakiMax lives off his father …—Harold Beaver
Harold BeaverExamples of live off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Streaming, with its paltry pay rates, also made living off small and passionate fan bases harder for artists to sustain.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2025
Police believe Phillips and his children are living off-grid, with the father using his survival skills to feed, shelter and clothe his children.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Even Vavassori, who, along with Errani, had criticized a format that cut out nearly all the players who make their living off doubles, was giving what sounded like one-and-a-half thumbs up.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Basques began settling in Northern Nevada during the silver and gold rush, herding sheep and cattle and living off the land.
—Michael Moberly, Saveur, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for live off
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Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2025
Police believe Phillips and his children are living off-grid, with the father using his survival skills to feed, shelter and clothe his children.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Even Vavassori, who, along with Errani, had criticized a format that cut out nearly all the players who make their living off doubles, was giving what sounded like one-and-a-half thumbs up.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Basques began settling in Northern Nevada during the silver and gold rush, herding sheep and cattle and living off the land.
—Michael Moberly, Saveur, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for live off
Cite this Entry
“Live off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/live%20off. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
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