liven
- to put life into; rouse; enliven; cheer (often followed by up): What can we do to liven up the party?
- to become more lively; brighten (usually followed by up): If this party doesn't liven up soon, let's leave.
Origin of liven
Related Words for liven
promote, strengthen, revive, accelerate, hasten, spur, stimulate, expedite, revitalize, inspire, energize, enliven, excite, exalt, hearten, activate, spring, move, actuate, dispatchExamples from the Web for liven
Contemporary Examples of liven
Sachin Tendulkar may be one of the most brilliant players in the sport, but he struggles to liven up his memoirs.
I suppose you can if you were dumb and delusional enough to think that the Emmy voters might liven things up a little bit.
The Biggest Emmys Snubs and Surprises: 'Modern Family,' McConaughey, and MoreKevin Fallon
August 26, 2014
The newly appointed CNN boss says the network must liven up its daily fare.
He also used his acting and directorial skills to liven up dreary hearings.
Will Oprah liven up C-SPAN's usually drab red-carpet pre-show?
Historical Examples of liven
Especially when our country neighbors come in to ''liven us up.'
Questionable ShapesWilliam Dean Howells
If she doesn't we must give her a solid shot or two to liven her up—eh, Mr. Carter?
The RescueJoseph Conrad
Casual anecdotes were sprinkled through his explanations to liven them.
The HighgraderWilliam MacLeod Raine
But what are you stopping the air for when it's rushing in to liven us up?
Blow The Man DownHolman Day
"Say when you want me to liven 'em up, Gertie," remarked Bulpert.
Love at PaddingtonW. Pett Ridge
liven
- (usually foll by up) to make or become lively; enliven
Word Origin and History for liven
1884, colloquial shortening of 17c. enliven, usually with up. Related: Livened; livening.