liven

[ lahy-vuhn ]

/ ˈlaɪ vən /

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See synonyms for: liven / livener 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. 2023

How to use liven in a sentence

Buying a can of paint for under $30 can easily liven up the look of your home.
Boosting your curb appeal for summer selling 2021|Khalil Alexander El-Ghoul|May 21, 2021|Washington Blade
Whether your family binges through it or savors each episode, maybe in tandem with a weekly cooking project, it’s sure to liven up your pre-vaccination existence with not just distraction but delight.
Michelle Obama's Wonderful Netflix Show Waffles + Mochi Is the Sesame Street of Food TV|Judy Berman|March 16, 2021|Time
However, if you ski a ton, pure powder and pure frontside skis can really liven up your ski action.
Long-Term Review: The Best Skis, Period|Heather Schultz and Marc Peruzzi|March 4, 2021|Outside Online
A game with multiplayer options, quick rounds, or teams can liven up an after-dinner activity.
The best VR games: Enjoy a lifelike gaming experience at home|Carsen Joenk|January 19, 2021|Popular-Science

Some tours are billed as fun ways to liven up a family online get-together.
U.S. zoos and aquariums virtually open their facilities for behind-the-scenes visits with animals|Erin Blakemore|January 2, 2021|Washington Post
Sachin Tendulkar may be one of the most brilliant players in the sport, but he struggles to liven up his memoirs.
The Story of the World’s Greatest Cricket Player|William O’Connor|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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 More|Kevin Fallon|August 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The newly appointed CNN boss says the network must liven up its daily fare.
CNN Needs ‘More Passion,’ Says New Boss Jeff Zucker|Howard Kurtz|November 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He also used his acting and directorial skills to liven up dreary hearings.
Today's King's Speech Guru|Sandra McElwaine|February 26, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Will Oprah liven up C-SPAN's usually drab red-carpet pre-show?
Five Ways Obama Has Already Changed Washington|Ana Marie Cox|November 26, 2008|DAILY BEAST
Casual anecdotes were sprinkled through his explanations to liven them.
The Highgrader|William MacLeod Raine
All we needed was a beautiful young person like you to liven us up.
Mr. Opp|Alice Hegan Rice
Sam, in his brother's absence, concluded to edit the paper in a way that would liven up the circulation.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete|Albert Bigelow Paine
Who would hab thought dat a little slap of the hat could liven him up so?
The Boy Chums in the Florida Jungle|Wilmer M. Ely
But she, Helen, would come home and that would liven up things a bit.
Helen Grant's Schooldays|Amanda M. Douglas

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

liven

Origin of liven

OTHER WORDS FROM liven

Words nearby liven

Words related to liven

How to use liven in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for liven

Derived forms of liven