quality of life

noun phrase

: overall enjoyment of life : general well-being

… the male characters on the show not only have a better chance of survival; they're also more likely to improve their quality of life through friendship.

—Juliet Lapidos

specifically : the degree to which a person or group is healthy, comfortable, and able to enjoy the activities of daily living

Migraine is a common disorder that can severely affect patients' quality of life and daily function.

—New England Journal of Medicine

—often hyphenated when used before another noun

A number of recent surveys have identified noise as New York City's greatest quality-of-life issue.

—Tom Vanderbilt

—abbreviation QOL

Examples of quality of life in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Groups that strive to improve the quality of life for those who live, work and play in Rancho Bernardo can apply for up to $10,000 in grants that will be awarded later this year. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025

Patients with chronic conditions, without Medicaid, would not receive the proper care, impacting their quality of life. —Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025

Treatment can help resolve these symptoms and improve your quality of life. —Sarah Hudgens, Health, 17 May 2025

Clinical trials also study other aspects of care, such as improving quality of life or controlling symptoms with lifestyle medicine and prescription nutrition and exercise. —Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for quality of life

• afterlife
• pocketknife
• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• loosestrife
• midlife
• midwife
• nightlife
• penknife