noun
Uncommon
livelihood
LYV-lee-huud
Livelihood (noun) means a means of earning enough to live on, such as a job, trade, or income source. Example: “Fishing is the main livelihood for people in the village.”
noun
1
A means of earning enough to live on, such as a job, trade, or income source.
"Fishing is the main livelihood for people in the village."
"The factory closure threatened hundreds of livelihoods."
How to use livelihood
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow someone earns the money they need to live.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "lively" (energetic) — the words look similar but are unrelated in meaning.
Common pairings
earn a livelihood
lose one's livelihood
main livelihood
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Word forms
- Plural
- livelihoods
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Fishing is the main _____ for people in the village.
Etymology
From Old English līflād, literally "course of life," later reshaped under the influence of the word "lively."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for livelihood
See all rhymes for livelihood →Frequently asked questions
What does “livelihood” mean?
The word “livelihood” means a means of earning enough to live on, such as a job, trade, or income source. In plain terms, how someone earns the money they need to live.
How do you pronounce “livelihood”?
“Livelihood” is pronounced LYV-lee-huud (/ˈlaɪvlihʊd/ in IPA).
How do you use “livelihood” in a sentence?
Here is “livelihood” used in a sentence: “Fishing is the main livelihood for people in the village.”
What part of speech is “livelihood”?
“Livelihood” is a noun.
Where does the word “livelihood” come from?
The word “livelihood” comes from Old English. From Old English līflād, literally "course of life," later reshaped under the influence of the word "lively.".
Is “livelihood” a common word?
“Livelihood” is an uncommon word in modern English.
