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standard of living — the degree of wealth and material comfort available to a person or community

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the degree of wealth and material comfort available to a person or community

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈstændərd əv ˈlɪvɪŋ/

Example Sentences

  • After winning the lottery, their standard of living went from ramen noodles to lobster dinners overnight.
  • The government's new policies aim to raise the standard of living for all citizens.
  • My cat has a higher standard of living than most college students - designer food, luxury bed, and personal butler (me).

standard of living

NOUN

[/ˈstændərd əv ˈlɪvɪŋ/]

the degree of wealth and material comfort available to a person or community

the degree of wealth and material comfort available to a person or community
💡 Concept

the degree of wealth and material comfort available to a person or community

A higher standard of living enables joyful giving.
🎵 Rhyme

A higher standard of living enables joyful giving.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈstændərd əv ˈlɪvɪŋ/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈstændəd əv ˈlɪvɪŋ/

🌳Etymology

Origin

Standard derives from Old French 'estandard' (banner, flag), which evolved to mean 'criterion' or 'measure' by metaphorical extension. Living comes from Old English 'lifian' (to remain alive, to dwell), related to Germanic roots meaning 'life'. The compound phrase emerged in economics to denote the quality and material conditions of a person's daily existence.

Breakdown

standard (Old French 'estandard', originally banner/flag, later criterion) + of (preposition indicating relationship) + living (Old English 'lifian', to live, from Germanic root meaning life and dwelling). The phrase combines a measure or criterion with the state of being alive or dwelling.

🎵Rhyme

living
giving
forgiving

🔗Collocations

raise the standard of living
high standard of living
improve standard of living
decline in standard of living
basic standard of living
maintain standard of living

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“After winning the lottery, their standard of living went from ramen noodles to lobster dinners overnight.”

“The government's new policies aim to raise the standard of living for all citizens.”

😄 Fun example

“My cat has a higher standard of living than most college students - designer food, luxury bed, and personal butler (me).”

“Education and healthcare are key factors in determining a country's standard of living.”

📚Related Words

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