What Is Another Way to Say “Bread and Butter”?

Looking for synonyms for bread and butter? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say bread and butter.

  • Livelihood
  • Sustenance
  • Mainstay
  • Staple
  • Source of income
  • Means of support
  • Necessities
  • Essentials
  • Lifeblood
  • Foundation
  • Basis
  • Core
  • Meat and potatoes
  • Vital part
  • Keystone
  • Fundamental
  • Nourishment
  • Main source
  • Cornerstone
  • Basic needs

Want to learn how to say bread and butter professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Livelihood

Appropriate Use: Refers to a means of securing the necessities of life.
Example: “Her new business quickly became her family’s livelihood.”

2. Sustenance

Appropriate Use: Describes something that provides support, maintenance, or nourishment.
Example: “The freelance work provided him with sustenance while he pursued his artistic goals.”

3. Mainstay

Appropriate Use: Indicates a principal or primary support or element.
Example: “Renewable energy is becoming the mainstay of the nation’s economy.”

4. Staple

Appropriate Use: Refers to a basic or principal element, something forming a substantial part of something else.
Example: “Agriculture is the staple of the rural economy.”

5. Source of Income

Appropriate Use: Describes the origin or source from which money is earned.
Example: “Her online store became her major source of income.”

6. Means of Support

Appropriate Use: Indicates a way or method of maintaining oneself financially.
Example: “His job as an engineer was his primary means of support.”

7. Necessities

Appropriate Use: Refers to the essentials required for subsistence or survival.
Example: “The job provided him with the necessities of life.”

8. Essentials

Appropriate Use: Describes fundamental or indispensable aspects or things.
Example: “In this industry, innovation and adaptability are essentials.”

9. Lifeblood

Appropriate Use: Indicates something that is crucial or of central importance.
Example: “Regular clients are the lifeblood of our business.”

10. Foundation

Appropriate Use: Refers to the basis or groundwork of anything.
Example: “Good customer service is the foundation of our business model.”

11. Basis

Appropriate Use: Describes the underlying support or principle for something.
Example: “Trust is the basis of our client relationships.”

12. Core

Appropriate Use: Indicates the central, most important part of something.
Example: “Effective communication is at the core of our team’s success.”

13. Meat and Potatoes

Appropriate Use: Refers to the basic, fundamental, or substantial portion of something.
Example: “Data analysis is the meat and potatoes of our market research.”

14. Vital Part

Appropriate Use: Describes an essential or indispensable element of something.
Example: “Continuous learning is a vital part of professional development.”

15. Keystone

Appropriate Use: Indicates something on which other things depend for support.
Example: “Innovative technology is the keystone of our product development.”

16. Fundamental

Appropriate Use: Refers to a basic, essential part of any structure or principle.
Example: “Maintaining quality is fundamental to our company’s success.”

17. Nourishment

Appropriate Use: Describes something that sustains or promotes growth or success.
Example: “Employee training provides nourishment for the company’s growth.”

18. Main Source

Appropriate Use: Indicates the principal origin or supply of something.
Example: “Tourism is the main source of income for the island.”

19. Cornerstone

Appropriate Use: Refers to an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based.
Example: “Customer satisfaction is the cornerstone of our business strategy.”

20. Basic Needs

Appropriate Use: Describes fundamental requirements or necessities.
Example: “The company’s wellness program addresses the basic needs of its employees.”

Linda Brown