B1adjective2K

Living

UK /["/ˈlɪvɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˈlɪvɪŋ/"]/

Definition

alive now

In simple words: the act of being alive or having a life

Examples

  • She has a very living spirit that inspires everyone around her.
  • The artist painted a living scene from everyday life.
  • The living room is where we spend most of our time together.
  • Living organisms adapt to their surroundings to survive.
  • Their living conditions have improved significantly over the years.

Usage notes

Use 'living' when talking about life in various contexts. Avoid in formal writing where more specific terms like 'existence' might be better.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'living' as 'live-ing,' like enjoying life on stage.

Collocations

  • living expenses
  • living conditions
  • living arrangements
  • living space
  • living legend

Synonyms

  • existence
  • life
  • being
  • survival
  • residence

Antonyms

  • dying
  • deceased
  • non-living

Common mistakes

  • 'Living' confused with 'live' when describing something happening in the present.
  • Using 'living' incorrectly as a verb instead of a noun.
  • Confusing 'living' with 'liveliness' when discussing energy.