quality of life

noun phrase

: overall enjoyment of life : general well-being
… the male characters on the show not only have a better chance of survival; they're also more likely to improve their quality of life through friendship.Juliet Lapidos
specifically : the degree to which a person or group is healthy, comfortable, and able to enjoy the activities of daily living
Migraine is a common disorder that can severely affect patients' quality of life and daily function. New England Journal of Medicine
often hyphenated when used before another noun
A number of recent surveys have identified noise as New York City's greatest quality-of-life issue. Tom Vanderbilt
abbreviation QOL

Examples of quality of life 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.
For the Individual: Prolonged stress can lead to long-term health issues, reducing quality of life and, in extreme cases, resulting in self-harm. Jason Wingard, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 Numerous studies have proven Botox's benefits in reducing headache days per month and improving quality of life. Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2025 Women from 125 communities nationwide are nominated for their significant influence on public policy, social progress, and quality of life. Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025 These are health matters that can be the difference between life and death for many women in midlife or, at the very least, have a major impact on their quality of life. Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quality of life

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quality of life was in 1943

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Cite this Entry

“Quality of life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quality%20of%20life. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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