live wire

noun

: an alert, active, or aggressive person

live-wire

ˈlīv-ˌwī(-ə)r 

adjective

Synonyms of live wire

• pistol
• dynamo

Examples of live wire in a Sentence

She's a real live wire.

the babysitter will have her hands full with those two little live wires

Recent Examples on the Web

Response efforts were slowed as debris blocked roads and live wires created hazardous conditions. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Trees and branches were taken out, and live wires went down. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026

Just days later, in Brookline, another man was working on scaffolding when his head touched a live wire, shocking and burning him. — Lauren Linder, CBS News, 25 May 2026

My daughter has been a live wire since she was born. — Marah Eakin, Vulture, 7 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for live wire

• acquire
• attire
• bonfire
• campfire
• ceasefire
• conspire
• desire
• enquire
• entire
• greenbrier
• gunfire
• homebuyer

Kids Definition

live wire

noun

: an alert, active, or forceful person

live-wire adjective