liven

verb

liv·​en ˈlī-vən How to pronounce liven (audio)
livened; livening ˈlī-və-niŋ How to pronounce liven (audio)
ˈlīv-niŋ

transitive verb

: enliven
often used with up
he … livened up the editorial pageCurrent Biography

Examples of liven in a Sentence

He played some music to liven the atmosphere.
Recent Examples on the Web So grab a quart and see how these buttermilk recipes can liven up your menu and add delight to your table. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2024 Baltimore hired artists to liven up curb extensions with geometric shapes and vibrant colors. Jeff McMurray, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2024 The listing suggests adding a stage to host concerts and plays to liven up the venue during the movie season. Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2024 Also, every studio needs a big tub of random percussion instruments and bells and rattles and blocks that are great to mess around with and invariably find their way onto scores just to liven things up. Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 15 Feb. 2024 This cocktail takes champagne, the quintessential celebratory tipple, and livens it up even more with a vibrant citrus cordial. Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 28 Dec. 2023 Answer: The Sunset Margarita, a twist on the classic recipe livened up with pomegranate juice. Jenna Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024 Fresh chives and dill liven up the egg mixture, and blanched asparagus tips add spring color. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2024 Vivid spice and leather notes liven up its soft fruit bouquet. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'liven.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1628, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of liven was circa 1628

Dictionary Entries Near liven

Cite this Entry

“Liven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liven. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

liven

verb
liv·​en ˈlī-vən How to pronounce liven (audio)
livened; livening ˈlīv-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce liven (audio)
: to make or become lively
often used with up

More from Merriam-Webster on liven

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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