Synonyms

enliven

American

[en-lahy-vuhn] / ɛnˈlaɪ vən /

verb (used with object)

to make vigorous or active; invigorate.

The wit of Mencken enlivened his age.

Synonyms:

quicken, stimulate, vivify, inspirit, animate
to make sprightly or cheerful; brighten.

Flowers enliven any room.

Synonyms:

gladden

Antonyms:

depress

enliven British

/ ɪnˈlaɪvən /

verb

to make active, vivacious, or spirited; invigorate
to make cheerful or bright; gladden or brighten

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See cheer.

Other Word Forms

enlivener noun
enlivening adjective
enliveningly adverb
enlivenment noun
unenlivened adjective
unenlivening adjective

Etymology

Origin of enliven

1625–35; obsolete enlive to give life to ( en- ¹ + life ) + -en ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While many artists at Felix experiment with their surfaces through additive processes, others use a subtractive approach to enliven their work.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Are they coming back broken? Are they coming back better? Are they coming back more enlivened, more capable? Are they coming back into prison over and over?”

From Los Angeles Times

The Washingtons, records show, added wallpaper throughout the house in 1797—and its reappearance enlivens a house that had looked dull.

From The Wall Street Journal

If they threaten to bore, the authors’ jaunty tone enlivens the delivery.

From The Wall Street Journal

Those concepts interlace in his ossuary, enlivened when he plays his tenderly kept records, remnants of human joy all but lost to a Rage pestilence.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023