lively

live·ly

adjective \ˈlīv-lē\

live·li·erlive·li·est

Definition of LIVELY

1

obsolete : living

2

: briskly alert and energetic : vigorous, animated <a lively discussion> <lively children racing for home>

3

: active, intense <takes a lively interest in politics>

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

7

: responding readily to the helm <a lively boat>

8

: full of life, movement, or incident <lively streets at carnival time>

— live·li·ly \ˈlīv-lə-lē\ adverb

— live·li·ness \ˈlīv-lē-nəs\ noun

— lively adverb

Examples of LIVELY

1. a very lively writing style
2. The book is lively and well written.
3. They had a lively debate.
4. A lively atmosphere keeps people coming back to the café.

Origin of LIVELY

Middle English, from Old English līflīc, from līf life

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to LIVELY

Synonyms

active, airy, animate, animated, bouncing, brisk, energetic, frisky, gay, jaunty, jazzy, kinetic, mettlesome, peppy, perky, pert, pizzazzy (or pizazzy), racy, snappy, spanking, sparky, spirited, sprightly, springy, vital, vivacious, zippy, on the go

Antonyms

dead, inactive, inanimate, lackadaisical, languid, languishing, languorous, leaden, lifeless, limp, listless, spiritless, vapid

Related Words

dapper, dashing, spiffy; agog, alert, awake, open-eyed, up, wide-awake; agile, nimble, spry; bright, buoyant, cheerful, chipper, chirpy, chirrupy, effervescent, sparkly, upbeat; eager, enthusiastic, keen; frolicsome, impish, pixieish, playful; boisterous, bubbly, ebullient, exuberant, high-spirited; high-strung, nervous, skittish

Near Antonyms

indolent, lazy, unambitious; inert, lethargic, sleepy, sluggish, tired, torpid, weary; apathetic, impassive, phlegmatic, stolid; boring, dull, irksome, tedious

Synonym Discussion of 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>.