Definition of enliven
transitive verb
:to give life, action, or spirit to :animate
- fresh flowers enliven the room
What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
People Are Reading
Examples of enliven in a Sentence
He enlivened his speech with a few jokes.
a soup enlivened by chili peppers
A few touches of color will enliven the room.
Recent Examples of enliven from the Web
-
The two have put on a solid show throughout camp, highlighted by a scuffle last week that seemed to enliven practice.
-
These are the little side dishes that come with most Korean meals, used as relishes to enliven bites and mix with other foods.
-
Enliven bottles with homemade labels to change your favorite soda or fruit drink into tempting poisons and elixirs, such as Rat Poison, Witches Brew, or Truth Serum.
-
Gone were Southeast Jerome, Kid Bro Sweets, Sheriff Gonna Getcha and the gaggle of other characters he’d once embodied, in full costume—loud wigs, novelty glasses, fake teeth—to enliven press conferences.
-
His personal hidden gem is Okumura, a minimalist sushi counter known for exceptionally fresh fish enlivened with the right amount of modern flair.
-
Escobar’s house mix, combining Clamato juice, Tapatío and Worchestershire sauces and other ingredients, enlivens the Corona, usually Mexico’s most boring export.
-
Lobster ravioli is utterly lush, the tender pillows stuffed with ample meat and afloat in a bechamel lobster cream sauce enlivened with lemon.
-
Some bits are built up with fancy designs, while others are enlivened with acrobatics and dancing.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enliven.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of enliven
1604
enliven Synonyms
Synonyms
amp (up), brace, energize, animate, fillip, fire, ginger (up), invigorate, jazz (up), juice up, jump-start, liven (up), pep (up), quicken, spike, stimulate, vitalize, vivify, zip (up)Antonyms
damp, dampen, deaden, dull, killRelated Words
arouse, awake, awaken, raise, rouse, stir, wake (up); activate, actuate, drive, impel, motivate, motive, move, propel; charge, electrify, galvanize; enkindle, excite, ferment, foment, incite, inflame (also enflame), instigate, kindle, provoke, set off, spark, trigger, turn on, whip (up); abet, boost, buoy, cheer, embolden, fortify, hearten, infuse, inspire, lift, rally, steel, strengthen; reactivate, reanimate, reawake, reawaken, recharge, recreate, reenergize, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, reinvigorate, rejuvenate, rekindle, renew, restimulate, resurrect, resuscitate, revitalize, reviveNear Antonyms
burn out, debilitate, do in, drain, enervate, enfeeble, exhaust, fag, fatigue, harass, kayo, knock out, sap, tucker (out), undermine, wash out, weaken, wear, wear out, weary; check, curb, inhibit, jade, quell, quench, repress, restrain, slow, still, stunt, suppress; daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispiritSynonym Discussion of enliven
quicken, animate, enliven, vivify mean to make alive or lively. quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert.
-
- the arrival of spring quickens the earth
-
- happiness animated his conversation
-
- enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes
-
- new blood needed to vivify the dying club
ENLIVEN Defined for English Language Learners
enliven
play
verb
Definition of enliven for English Language Learners
-
: to make (something) more interesting, lively, or enjoyable
ENLIVEN Defined for Kids
enliven
play
verb
en·liv·en
\
in-ˈlī-vən
\
Definition of enliven for Students
enlivened;
enlivening
:to put life or spirit into
- Games enlivened the party.
Learn More about enliven
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for enliven Spanish Central: Translation of enliven Nglish: Translation of enliven for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of enliven for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up enliven? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!