livelihood - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
livelihood Word Meanings
- the means of securing a living
- one's source of income
- a way to earn money for survival
livelihood Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
livelihood Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈlɪvlihʊd/
US
/ˈlaɪvliˌhʊd/
livelihood Word Etymology
livelihood = live (to exist) + hood (state or condition). Origin: Old English liflīc + hood. Memory image: Imagine a cozy cottage where people live, surrounded by what they need to thrive and survive.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Livelihood refers to the means by which a person earns money to support life. It can describe a job, a business, or activities that provide income used to cover the essentials like housing, food, clothing, and healthcare. The term is broader than simple income: it includes skills, resources, and networks that enable earnings, and it can encompass formal work, informal gigs, subsistence farming, or social assistance. Learners often confuse livelihood with life or living, or assume it always means a regular salary. In policy or academic writing, you might see phrases like "sustainable livelihoods" or "diversified livelihoods" to emphasize resilience and adaptation.
Usage Reminders
- - Use livelihood for the means of earning money, not for general life.
- - It often appears in policy or academic writing.
- - It can be singular or plural: a livelihood / livelihoods.
- - It may describe multiple income sources, not just a single job.
- - It is not a synonym for income; it is the broader context of that income.
Common Misconceptions
- Think livelihood means 'life' or 'living' itself, not a way to earn money.
- Assume it only means a formal, steady job.
- Believe it refers to a single source of income only.
- Confuse with welfare benefits or government aid.
- Think it is a temporary condition, not a long-term plan.
Thinking Differences
In English, livelihood often conveys a practical, policy-relevant sense of how people earn money to survive. Learners should note that it can cover informal work, family businesses, or community-based incomes, not just a single salaried job. Mistakes come from thinking it equals income, or from using it only in formal contexts.
Learning Tips
- 1) Connect livelihood to real-life scenarios (family business, freelancing, farming).
- 2) Practice with phrases: 'sustainable livelihoods', 'diversified livelihoods'.
- 3) Distinguish livelihood from income; think about the whole system of earning money.
- 4) Use both formal and informal contexts to describe livelihoods.
- 5) Recognize plural forms 'livelihoods'.
- 6) Listen for collocations like 'provide a livelihood' or 'loss of livelihoods'.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of 'livelihood'?
A.A type of animal
B.A type of food
C.A city in Europe
D.A way of living
Step 2: Usage
Which of the following sentences uses 'livelihood' correctly?
A.He lost his livelihood after quitting his job.
B.She ate her livelihood for breakfast.
C.The dog chased after the livelihood.
D.They found a livelihood in the forest.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is a synonym for 'livelihood'?
A.Hobby
B.Pastime
C.Leisure
D.Career
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is an antonym for 'livelihood'?
A.Wealth
B.Prosperity
C.Abundance
D.Poverty
Step 5: Mastery
How does 'livelihood' apply in real-world situations?
A.By traveling the world
B.By earning a living through work
C.By never working
D.By living in a castle
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