alive

[uh-lahyv]

adjective

1. having life; living; existing; not dead or lifeless.

   Antonyms: dead

2. living (used for emphasis).

   the proudest man alive.

3. in a state of action; in force or operation; active.

   to keep hope alive.

   Antonyms: defunct

4. full of energy and spirit; lively.

   Grandmother's more alive than most of her contemporaries.

   Synonyms: nimble, active
   Antonyms: lifeless

5. having the quality of life; vivid; vibrant.

   The room was alive with color.

6. Electricity.,  live.

alive

/ əˈlaɪv /

adjective

1. (of people, animals, plants, etc) living; having life

2. in existence; active

   they kept hope alive

   the tradition was still alive

3. (immediately postpositive and usually used with a superlative) of those living; now living

   the happiest woman alive

4. full of life; lively

   she was wonderfully alive for her age

5. (usually foll by with) animated

   a face alive with emotion

6. (foll by to) aware (of); sensitive (to)

7. (foll by with) teeming (with)

   the mattress was alive with fleas

8. electronics another word for live 2

9. (of a person) active and in good health

10. hurry up! get busy!

Other Word Forms

• aliveness noun
• half-alive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alive¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English on līfe “in life”; equivalent to a- ¹ + life

Word History and Origins

Origin of alive¹

Old English on līfe in _life

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. alive to, alert or sensitive to; aware of.

   City planners are alive to the necessity of revitalizing deteriorating neighborhoods.

2. look alive! pay attention! move quickly!.

   Look alive! We haven't got all day.

3. alive with, filled with living things; swarming; teeming.

   The room was alive with mosquitoes.

More idioms and phrases containing alive

• come alive
• eat someone alive
• look alive
• more dead than alive
• skin alive

Example Sentences

"Yet we must also be alive to the fact that China does present us with opportunities. It is the world's second largest economy".

Read more on Barron's

He was also taken hostage and is believed to be alive.

Read more on Barron's

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday hailed the release by Hamas of Israeli hostages still alive in the Gaza strip, saying with their release "peace becomes possible for Israel, for Gaza, and for the region".

Read more on Barron's

Twenty of the Israeli hostages are believed to be alive, and Hamas is also due to hand over the remains of up to 28 deceased hostages.

Read more on BBC

Dairymaids were said to have a kind of second sight, transforming milk into something alive and lasting with nothing more than time, touch, and faith in invisible powers.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• awake 
• eager 
• ready 
• rife