/ ˈlɪvɪŋ; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
alive now :
all living things
living organisms
the finest living pianist
2.
[ only before noun ] used or practised now :
living languages (= those still spoken)
a living faith
•
IDIOMS
- be living proof of sth / that ...
- within / in living memory
—more at daylights
■ noun
1.
[ C , usually sing. ] money to buy the things that you need in life :
She earns her living as a freelance journalist.
to make a good / decent / meagre living
What do you do for a living ?
to scrape / scratch a living from part-time tutoring
2.
[ U ] a way or style of life :
everyday living
communal living
plain living
Their standard of living is very low.
The cost of living has risen sharply.
poor living conditions / standards
3.
the living [ pl. ] people who are alive now :
the living and the dead
4.
[ C ] ( BrE ) (especially in the past) a position in the Church as a priest and the income and house that go with this
SYN benefice
•
IDIOMS
see land noun