lively

[ lahyv-lee ]

/ ˈlaɪv li /

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See synonyms for: lively / livelier / liveliness on Thesaurus.com

adjective, live·li·er, live·li·est.

full or suggestive of life or vital energy; active, vigorous, or brisk: a lively discussion.

animated, spirited, vivacious, or sprightly: a lively tune; a lively wit.

eventful, stirring, or exciting: The opposition gave us a lively time.

bustling with activity; astir: The marketplace was lively with vendors.

strong, keen, or distinct; vivid: a lively recollection.

striking, telling, or effective, as an expression or instance.

vivid or bright, as color or light: a lively pink.

sparkling, as wines.

fresh or invigorating, as air: a lively breeze.

rebounding quickly; springing back; resilient: a lively tennis ball.

riding the sea buoyantly, as a ship.

adverb

with briskness, vigor, or animation; briskly: to step lively.

OTHER WORDS FOR lively

1 alert, spry, nimble, agile, quick, pert.

2 gay, buoyant.

5 forceful, clear.

7 brilliant, clear, glowing.

See synonyms for lively on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR lively

1 inactive, indolent, sluggish, torpid.

2 dull, lifeless.

5 weak, vague.

7 dim.

See antonyms for lively on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of lively

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English līflīc “vital”; see life, -ly

OTHER WORDS FROM lively

live·li·ly, adverblive·li·ness, nouno·ver·live·li·ness, nouno·ver·live·ly, adjective

un·live·li·ness, nounun·live·ly, adjective, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use lively in a sentence

It was the same debate that stumped the supercommittee, just livelier.
Grover Norquist: Don’t Give an Inch on Taxes!|Eleanor Clift|December 1, 2011|DAILY BEAST
And to tell the truth, she couldn't help wishing he could see, so he could make the game livelier.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
He had, in truth, a great deal to answer for, and enough to make a livelier man than he dissatisfied and wretched.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Thus they soon learn to read with due regard to expression, and therefore take a livelier interest in the subject-matter.
The Story of the Thirteen Colonies|H. A. (Hlne Adeline) Guerber

Although this was an absolutely false report, all the old stories were brought up again and the talk became livelier than ever.
Maezli|Johanna Spyri
Twinkleheels often wished that he might have someone for his nearest neighbor that was a bit livelier than Ebenezer.
The Tale of Pony Twinkleheels|Arthur Scott Bailey

British Dictionary definitions for lively

lively

/ (ˈlaɪvlɪ) /

adjective -lier or -liest

full of life or vigour

vivacious or animated, esp when in company

busy; eventful

characterized by mental or emotional intensity; vivid

having a striking effect on the mind or senses

refreshinga lively breeze

springy or bouncy or encouraging springinessa lively ball

(of a boat or ship) readily responsive to the helm

adverb Also: 'livelily

in a brisk mannerstep lively

look lively (interjection) make haste

Derived forms of lively

liveliness, noun

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

lively

OTHER WORDS FOR lively

OPPOSITES FOR lively

Origin of lively

OTHER WORDS FROM lively

Words related to lively

How to use lively in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lively

Derived forms of lively