liver

¹ American  

[liv-er] / ˈlɪv ər /

noun

1. Anatomy. a large, reddish-brown, glandular organ located in the upper right side of the abdominal cavity, divided by fissures into five lobes and functioning in the secretion of bile and various metabolic processes.

2. an organ in other animals similar to the human liver, often used as food.

3. a diseased condition of the liver; biliousness.

   a touch of liver.

4. a reddish-brown color.

5. a rubberlike, irreversible thickening suspension occurring in paint, ink, etc., due to a chemical reaction between a colloidal pigment and a vehicle or as a result of polymerization of the vehicle.

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adjective

1. of the color of liver.

verb (used without object)

1. (of paint, ink, etc.) to undergo irreversible thickening.

liver ² American  

[liv-er] / ˈlɪv ər /

noun

1. a person who lives in a manner specified.

   an extravagant liver.

2. a dweller or resident; inhabitant.

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liver ³ American  

[lahy-ver] / ˈlaɪ vər /

adjective

1. comparative of live.

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liver ¹ British  

/ ˈlɪvə /

noun

1. a multilobed highly vascular reddish-brown glandular organ occupying most of the upper right part of the human abdominal cavity immediately below the diaphragm. It secretes bile, stores glycogen, detoxifies certain poisons, and plays an important part in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat, helping to maintain a correct balance of nutrients

2. the corresponding organ in animals

3. the liver of certain animals used as food

4. a reddish-brown colour, sometimes with a greyish tinge

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liver ² British  

/ ˈlɪvə /

noun

1. a person who lives in a specified way

   a fast liver

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liver Scientific  

/ lĭv′ər /

1. A large glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrate animals that is essential to many metabolic processes. The liver secretes bile, stores fat and sugar as reserve energy sources, converts harmful substances to less toxic forms, and regulates the amount of blood in the body.

2. A similar organ of invertebrate animals.

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liver Cultural  

1. A large organ, located on the right side of the abdomen and protected by the lower rib cage, that produces bile and blood proteins, stores vitamins for later release into the bloodstream, removes toxins (including alcohol) from the blood, breaks down old red blood cells, and helps maintain levels of blood sugar in the body.

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Other Word Forms

• liverless adjective

Etymology

Origin of liver¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English liver(e), liverre, Old English lifer(e), cognate with Dutch lever, German Leber, Old Norse lifr; further origin uncertain; perhaps akin to Greek liparós “fat, gleaming, fruitful”

Origin of liver²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; live ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Newer ones such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, broadly known as GLP-1s, have exploded in popularity for weight loss and have shown promise for treating other conditions, such as addictions and neurodegenerative and liver diseases.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Dr Vincenzo Cuzzone, head of the intensive care unit at Cardarelli hospital in nearby Campobasso, told Italian media that liver failure occurred first and was followed by multi-organ failure "at truly unparalleled speed".

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

It advised patients to conduct regular liver panel testing when first taking the treatment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

“Because I’m not a medical doctor, I won’t use it for diagnosis purposes. I will just ask, like, ‘Oh, I see liver strain.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

They are knobby and crooked, thin-skinned, and—like my ruined face—covered with liver spots.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

Related Words

• citizen
• dweller
• inhabitant
• inmate
• local
• native
• resident
• tenant