standard of living

noun phrase

1
: the necessities, comforts, and luxuries enjoyed or aspired to by an individual or group
2
: a minimum of necessities, comforts, or luxuries held essential to maintaining a person or group in customary or proper status or circumstances

Examples of standard of living in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Each year, a cost-of-living adjustment — or COLA — is intended to help recipients keep up with inflation and maintain their standard of living. Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 19 July 2025 For example, as your income rises in your 40s, you may be tempted to upgrade your standard of living, say move to a larger home, buy a new car, or travel more. True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025 That will be really bad for people's standard of living. Selina Wang, ABC News, 4 July 2025 In fact, research from Bowling Green State University shows that wives who divorce after age 50 experience an average drop of 45% in their standard of living, compared to just a 21% drop for husbands of the same age. Amy Wagner, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for standard of living

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of standard of living was in 1825

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Standard of living.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standard%20of%20living. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

standard of living

: the necessities, comforts, and luxuries that a person or group is accustomed to

More from Merriam-Webster on standard of living

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!