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.

Henry's "very gregarious" nature enlivened the darker days of last winter in the workshop.

From BBC

Praising Mr. Corden, our critic said “he enlivens an already lively evening by giving us a peerless example of the fine art of comic acting.”

From The Wall Street Journal

He enlivened concrete, illuminated chain link, made cardboard fluid.

From Los Angeles Times

A complex cider with enough of a tart kick to enliven any cocktail hour.

From The Wall Street Journal

And although they recall many wordless moments of repose between takes, the shoot enlivened the actors far more than it exhausted them.

From Los Angeles Times

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