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 WebJ.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2024
Its closest living relatives are river dolphins living more than 6,000 miles (10,000 kilometers) away in South Asia, according to researchers who recently described the previously unknown extinct mammal.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024
This trend encourages you to blend diverse elements that create a visually-striking living environment.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2024
Bonobos and chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, maintain similar social dynamics.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2023
Along with chimpanzees, bonobos are some of our closest living relatives.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Nov. 2023
Freezing temperatures made living conditions inside the plane fuselage incredibly harsh, and the survivors were weakened by exposure.
—Madeleine Kearns, National Review, 8 Feb. 2024
Wilbur is a living example of what DockDogs is all about.
—Brent Frazee, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2024
The front entry, sitting room, and staircase were left largely untouched, but they’re now connected to an airier, family-friendly living space.
—Christine Lennon, Sunset Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023
Weichert Realtors® Welch & Company/chapel Hill, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2024
This two-story home boasts a generous living space with four bedrooms and three bathrooms.
—Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
This explains why beauty products are popular among shoppers when the cost of living and inflation remain elevated.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 25 Apr. 2024
As the cost of living increases, so would the value of the exemption, which does not apply to taxes levied by local school boards.
—Alyssa Johnson, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024
Imagine a time when things were quiet, slow and the hustle and bustle of city living was nonexistent.
—Jennings Cool, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2024
Inside, highlights include a double-height foyer displaying a striking curving staircase, which flows to formal living and dining rooms.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2024
United Methodists are part of a larger worldwide family of Methodists and other groups in the tradition of 18th century British Protestant revivalist John Wesley, who emphasized evangelism, holy living and social service.
—CBS News, 23 Apr. 2024
By Yasmeen Serhan April 16, 2024 8:02 AM EDT
A quarter of the way into the most consequential election year in living memory, tech companies are failing their biggest test.
—Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
Adjective
The kids and young adults who listen to Hollins, see him as a living example of choices and consequences.
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2024
Its closest living relatives are river dolphins living more than 6,000 miles (10,000 kilometers) away in South Asia, according to researchers who recently described the previously unknown extinct mammal.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024
This trend encourages you to blend diverse elements that create a visually-striking living environment.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2024
Bonobos and chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, maintain similar social dynamics.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2023
Along with chimpanzees, bonobos are some of our closest living relatives.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Nov. 2023
Freezing temperatures made living conditions inside the plane fuselage incredibly harsh, and the survivors were weakened by exposure.
—Madeleine Kearns, National Review, 8 Feb. 2024
Wilbur is a living example of what DockDogs is all about.
—Brent Frazee, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2024
The front entry, sitting room, and staircase were left largely untouched, but they’re now connected to an airier, family-friendly living space.
—Christine Lennon, Sunset Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023
Noun
The 2,420 square feet of living space here includes a covered patio, vaulted beamed great room, and a 3-car front side entry garage.
—Weichert Realtors® Welch & Company/chapel Hill, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2024
This two-story home boasts a generous living space with four bedrooms and three bathrooms.
—Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
This explains why beauty products are popular among shoppers when the cost of living and inflation remain elevated.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 25 Apr. 2024
As the cost of living increases, so would the value of the exemption, which does not apply to taxes levied by local school boards.
—Alyssa Johnson, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024
Imagine a time when things were quiet, slow and the hustle and bustle of city living was nonexistent.
—Jennings Cool, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2024
Inside, highlights include a double-height foyer displaying a striking curving staircase, which flows to formal living and dining rooms.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2024
United Methodists are part of a larger worldwide family of Methodists and other groups in the tradition of 18th century British Protestant revivalist John Wesley, who emphasized evangelism, holy living and social service.
—CBS News, 23 Apr. 2024
By Yasmeen Serhan April 16, 2024 8:02 AM EDT
A quarter of the way into the most consequential election year in living memory, tech companies are failing their biggest test.
—Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'living.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near living
Cite this Entry
“Living.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/living. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share