living
/ˈlɪvɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlɪvɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈli-viŋ/ (ame, mw) · /ˈlɪv.ɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlɪv.ɪŋ/ (ame, ipa)
living — adjective
1. having life at the present time; not dead. Used to describe people, animals, pla
having life at the present time; not dead. Used to describe people, animals, plants, and other organisms that are biologically alive.
All living things need water, food, and sunlight to survive.
collocation: living things
The coral reef is home to thousands of living organisms.
collocation: living organisms
Every living being on Earth depends on the sun for energy.
The forest ranger monitors every living creature in the national park.
文法句型
living + noun (living thing / living organism)
用法筆記
Attributive only — almost always followed by a noun (thing, organism, creature). Predicative use ('The dog is living') is possible but rare; prefer 'alive' in that position.
常見錯誤
2. continuing to be used or practised today, rather than being a thing of the past.
continuing to be used or practised today, rather than being a thing of the past. Often applied to languages, traditions, memories, or faiths that remain current.
Irish is a living language spoken daily in parts of western Ireland.
collocation: living language
This festival is a living tradition that has been passed down for centuries.
collocation: living tradition
That earthquake is still within living memory for many older residents.
Mauricio's grandmother is a living link to the village's early history.
文法句型
living + noun (living language / living memory / living tradition)
用法筆記
Always attributive. The phrase 'in living memory' means within a period that people still alive can remember. 'Living proof' (see Idioms) is a related fixed expression that uses this sense.
3. so realistic or accurate that something seems as real as if it were actually ali
so realistic or accurate that something seems as real as if it were actually alive or happening; extremely vivid and lifelike.
The sculptor created a living portrait that captured every detail of her face.
collocation: living portrait
Kasia is a living image of her mother when she was young.
idiom: living image of someone
The makeup artist turned the actor into a living statue for the street performance.
Tariro's description of the village was so vivid it felt like a living picture.
- unrealistic
not true to life
- stiff
lacking natural movement or appearance
文法句型
living + noun (living portrait / living image)
look/seem + living
用法筆記
Frequently found in the fixed phrase 'a living image of someone' meaning a very strong resemblance. Also common in artistic contexts (living portrait, living picture).
4. designed, used, or suitable for people to live in as a home rather than for work
designed, used, or suitable for people to live in as a home rather than for work or other purposes.
The apartment has a bright living room with large windows facing south.
common compound: living room
The students share a small living space with a kitchen and one bathroom.
collocation: living space
Jabari converted the basement into extra living quarters for guests.
The new building combines living areas with ground-floor shops and cafes.
- residential
formal; describes zones or buildings rather than rooms
- habitable
focuses on suitability rather than purpose
文法句型
living + noun (living room / living space / living quarters)
用法筆記
Highly productive in compound nouns: living room, living space, living quarters, living area, living accommodation. Not used for temporary shelter (tent, hotel room).
living — noun
1. the money you earn by working, which you use to pay for the things you need such
the money you earn by working, which you use to pay for the things you need such as food, rent, and clothing. Almost always used in the phrase 'make a living' or 'earn a living'.
Indra makes a living as a freelance graphic designer for local businesses.
pattern: make a living as [job]
It is hard to earn a living from farming when the weather is so unpredictable.
pattern: earn a living from [source]
Maeve makes a good living by teaching piano lessons in her neighbourhood.
Many young people struggle to make a living in expensive cities like London or Tokyo.
- livelihood
slightly more formal; emphasises the means of support
- income
broader; money received from any source, not just work
- wage
specifically a regular payment for hourly or daily work
文法句型
make + a + living + (as / by / from / doing)
earn + a + living + (as / by)
用法筆記
Almost always appears with the indefinite article 'a' in fixed phrases: 'make a living', 'earn a living'. The plural 'livings' is rare except in specialized financial or ecclesiastical contexts. The related phrase 'living wage' refers to a wage that covers basic needs.
常見錯誤
2. a position in the Church of England in which a priest is responsible for a parti
a position in the Church of England in which a priest is responsible for a particular church or parish and receives a guaranteed income from it.
The bishop offered him a living in a small village in the Yorkshire countryside.
Eli was appointed to the living at St. Mary's Church after serving as a curate for five years.
pattern: appointed to a living
In the 19th century, many clergymen relied on family connections to secure a comfortable living.
After retiring from his living, the vicar continued to lead Sunday services for the community.
文法句型
a + living + (in + place / at + church)
用法筆記
[UK, ecclesiastical — Church of England] This sense is very specific to the Anglican church structure and is rarely encountered outside the UK. Do not use for other denominations.
3. the particular way in which a person or group spends their daily life, including
the particular way in which a person or group spends their daily life, including their habits, values, routines, and choices.
Emma believes in healthy living and exercises every morning before work.
collocation: healthy living
City living can be exciting, but it is also expensive and crowded.
collocation: city living
Quan and his partner left their busy jobs to embrace a life of simple living in the mountains.
The cost of living has risen sharply over the past five years.
- lifestyle
more modern and personal; often implies choice
- existence
more general and sometimes formal
- way of life
more formal fixed phrase, often used for cultures or groups
文法句型
adjective + living (healthy living / simple living)
the + noun + living (city living / country living)
用法筆記
Widely used in compound terms: 'cost of living' (the general level of prices), 'standard of living' (quality of material comfort), 'healthy living', 'simple living'. When preceded by a noun modifier (city living, country living, apartment living) it forms a common compound describing a lifestyle category.
4. people who are alive at the present time, considered as a group. Always used wit
people who are alive at the present time, considered as a group. Always used with the definite article 'the' as a collective noun.
The living often visit cemeteries to remember those who have passed away.
pattern: the living (collective)
The ceremony honoured both the living and the dead who served in the war.
common pairing: the living and the dead
It is the responsibility of the living to preserve the stories of past generations.
According to ancient beliefs, the spirits of ancestors watch over the living.
- the living
the same — no substitute; this is the only way to express this meaning
- living persons
formal/legal alternative for individual reference
- the living ones
informal equivalent
- the dead
the direct opposite group
- the departed
euphemistic for the dead
文法句型
the + living (the living and the dead)
用法筆記
Always used as a plural collective noun with 'the'. Takes a plural verb: 'the living are...' (not 'the living is...'). Often contrasted with 'the dead' in formal or solemn contexts.
常見錯誤
5. the state or experience of being alive; the fact that a person exists and experi
the state or experience of being alive; the fact that a person exists and experiences life from day to day.
Ishaan felt a deep appreciation for the simple joy of living after his recovery.
collocation: joy of living
The fear of dying should not stop you from enjoying the experience of living.
pattern: the [noun] of living
For many people, travel is the best part of living because it opens their minds.
The documentary explored the harsh realities of living in a war zone.
- death
the opposite state
- non-existence
philosophical opposite
文法句型
the experience / joy / fear of living
用法筆記
Uncountable and abstract. Frequently appears in phrases like 'the art of living', 'the joy of living', 'the experience of living', 'the fear of living'. Do not confuse with the countable noun 'life' (you can have a good life, but not *a good living in this sense).