living wage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, socio-economic, political, journalistic.
Quick answer
What does “living wage” mean?
A wage that is high enough for a person to meet their basic needs, such as food, housing, and clothing, at a minimum acceptable standard.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A wage that is high enough for a person to meet their basic needs, such as food, housing, and clothing, at a minimum acceptable standard.
A compensation principle and social policy concept advocating that employers pay employees a minimum income sufficient for a decent standard of living, as distinct from a government-mandated minimum wage which may be lower. It often factors in local cost of living and family needs.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The concept and term are nearly identical in meaning and usage. The main difference lies in the specific campaigns and calculation methodologies (e.g., the UK Living Wage Foundation vs. the MIT Living Wage Calculator in the US).
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes fairness, dignity, and social responsibility. In political discourse, it can be associated with left-leaning or labour-oriented policies.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK public discourse due to the high-profile campaign by the Living Wage Foundation. In the US, "minimum wage" is more common, with "living wage" used to draw a specific contrast.
Grammar
How to Use “living wage” in a Sentence
[Employer/Company] pays [employees] a living wage.[The campaign] advocates for a living wage.[The calculation] defines a living wage for [a region].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “living wage” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council voted to **living-wage** all its contractors.
- We need to **living-wage** the workforce.
American English
- The city ordinance will **living-wage** service jobs at the airport.
- They campaigned to **living-wage** the university.
adjective
British English
- She found a **living-wage** job in Bristol.
- They are a **living-wage** employer.
American English
- He secured a **living-wage** position at the non-profit.
- The **living-wage** legislation passed last year.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"Becoming a Living Wage accredited employer has improved our recruitment and retention."
Academic
"The study examines the impact of living wage policies on urban income inequality."
Everyday
"It's a good job, but it doesn't pay a living wage for this expensive city."
Technical
"The living wage calculation incorporates housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare costs at the county level."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “living wage”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “living wage”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “living wage”
- Using it interchangeably with 'minimum wage' without clarification. (A living wage is usually higher.)
- Spelling error: 'liveing wage'.
- Incorrect article: 'pay the living wage' (specific) vs. 'pay a living wage' (general concept).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A minimum wage is a legal floor set by government. A living wage is a voluntary benchmark, typically higher, calculated to cover basic living costs in a specific area.
It is often calculated by independent organisations (e.g., the Living Wage Foundation in the UK) or academic institutions (e.g., MIT in the US), using data on local costs for essentials like housing, food, and transport.
Generally, no, unless mandated by a specific local law (a 'living wage ordinance'). Most living wage payments are voluntary commitments by employers, sometimes as part of an accreditation scheme.
Common economic arguments include potential job losses, increased costs for businesses (especially SMEs), higher consumer prices, and possible increased automation replacing low-wage jobs.
A wage that is high enough for a person to meet their basic needs, such as food, housing, and clothing, at a minimum acceptable standard.
Living wage is usually formal, socio-economic, political, journalistic. in register.
Living wage: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlɪv.ɪŋ ˈweɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlɪv.ɪŋ ˈweɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A wage you can live on, not just exist on.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A LIVING wage is for actual LIVING (thriving), not just surviving. Contrast with a 'minimum wage' which might only be for 'minimum surviving'.
Conceptual Metaphor
WAGES ARE LIFE-SUPPORT (A sufficient wage sustains life; an insufficient wage threatens it).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary distinction between a 'minimum wage' and a 'living wage'?