living

 
Pronunciation: /ˈlɪvɪŋ/

noun

  • 1 [usually in singular] an income sufficient to live on or the means of earning it: she was struggling to make a living as a dancer what does he do for a living?
  • British (in church use) a position as a vicar or rector with an income or property: he was offered the living of St Katherine’s
  • 2 [mass noun, with adjective or noun modifier] the pursuit of a lifestyle of the specified type: the benefits of country living

adjective

  • alive: living creatures (as plural noun the living) flowers were for the living
  • [attributive] (of a place) used for living rather than working in: the living quarters of the pub
  • (of a language) still spoken and used.
  • [attributive] literary (of water) perennially flowing: streams of living water

Phrases

be (the) living proof that (or of)

show by one’s existence and qualities that something is the case: she is living proof that hard work need not be ageing

in (or within) living memory

within or during a time that is remembered by people still alive: the worst recession in living memory

the living image of

an exact copy or likeness of: he was the living image of Tyler