liven

[ lahy-vuhn ]
/ ˈlaɪ vən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR liven ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to put life into; rouse; enliven; cheer (often followed by up): What can we do to liven up the party?

verb (used without object)

to become more lively; brighten (usually followed by up): If this party doesn't liven up soon, let's leave.

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Origin of liven

First recorded in 1880–85; aphetic variant of enliven

OTHER WORDS FROM liven

liv·en·er, noun

Words nearby liven

livelihood, live like a king, live load, livelong, lively, liven, Livenza, live oak, live on, live on borrowed time, live on the edge
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to liven

promote, strengthen, revive, step up, accelerate, hasten, spur, stimulate, expedite, revitalize, inspire, energize, enliven, excite, exalt, hearten, activate, spring, move, actuate

Example sentences from the Web for liven

British Dictionary definitions for liven

liven
/ (ˈlaɪvən) /

verb

(usually foll by up) to make or become lively; enliven

Derived forms of liven

livener, 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