lively

adjective

live·​ly ˈlīv-lē 

livelier; liveliest

1

: briskly alert and energetic : vigorous, animated

a lively discussion

lively children racing for home

2

: active, intense

takes a lively interest in politics

3

: full of life, movement, or incident

lively streets at carnival time

4

: brilliant, fresh

a lively wit

5

: imparting spirit or vivacity : stimulating

many a peer of England brews livelier liquor than the Muse

—A. E. Housman

6

: quick to rebound : resilient

a lively ball

7

: responding readily to the helm

a lively boat

8

obsolete : living

livelily

ˈlīv-lə-lē 

adverb

liveliness

ˈlīv-lē-nəs 

noun

lively adverb

Synonyms

• active
• airy
• animate
• animated
• bouncing
• brisk
• energetic
• frisky
• gay
• jaunty
• jazzy
• kinetic
• mettlesome
• peppy
• perky
• pert
• pizzazzy
• pizazzy
• racy
• snappy
• spanking
• sparky
• spirited
• sprightly
• springy
• vital
• vivacious
• zippy

Choose the Right Synonym for lively

lively, animated, vivacious, sprightly, gay mean keenly alive and spirited.

lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

a lively debate on the issues

animated applies to what is spirited and active.

an animated discussion of current events

vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

a vivacious party host

sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

a tuneful, sprightly musical

gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

Examples of lively in a Sentence

a very lively writing style

The book is lively and well written.

They had a lively debate.

A lively atmosphere keeps people coming back to the café.

Recent Examples on the Web

Easy access to Interstate 580 and Tracy’s historical and lively downtown means weekends full of unique local finds and award-winning breweries are right around the corner. —Bang Advertising Staff and Correspondents, The Mercury News, 12 June 2024

There's lots of shopping at boutiques, bookstores, and design studios, and the expansive green space pops with public art installations and a lively restaurant scene. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2024

The family had lively conversations around the dinner table and gathered for movie nights on weekends. —Jocelyn Gecker, Fortune, 5 June 2024

Salsa Mia in South Beach offers lively salsa dance classes perfect for couples. —Jacob Wisda, Miami Herald, 4 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English līflīc, from līf life

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 8

Phrases Containing lively

• lively imagination
• lively interest
• look lively
• step lively

Kids Definition

lively

adjective

live·​ly ˈlīv-lē 

livelier; liveliest

1

: full of life : active

a lively puppy

2

: keen entry 1 sense 3

a lively interest

3

: full of spirit or feeling

a lively debate

4

: showing activity or spirit

a lively manner

liveliness noun

lively adverb