enliven

verb

en·​liv·​en in-ˈlī-vən 

en-

enlivened; enlivening; enlivens

transitive verb

: to give life, action, or spirit to : animate

fresh flowers enliven the room

enlivenment

in-ˈlī-vən-mənt 

en-

noun

plural enlivenments

But for the formation of opinion, for the stirring and enlivenment of thought, and for the discernment of colour and proportion, the gifts of travel … are priceless

—Winston Churchill

Synonyms of enliven

• stimulate

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.

happiness animated his conversation

enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity.

enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes

vivify implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality.

new blood needed to vivify the dying club

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 on the Web

This power plant is Mercedes-AMG’s new-generation M177 EVO, enhanced and enlivened by a flat-plane crankshaft, a feature normally associated with shrieking supercar engines. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026

But traditional, romantic silhouettes also felt new in intricate lace at Sareh Nouri, while the corset, which remains a favorite for today’s brides, were enlivened with lace at Galia Lahav and Heli Kelkstein. — Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026

There is little in the way of cinematic inspiration, and the emphatic visual style with which the filmmakers aim to enliven the story life tends to turn characters into pristine emblems, albeit adorned with a few picturesque behavioral touches. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026

In accessories, there’s a major focus on the waist, through belts and cummerbunds, while beading and fringe continue to enliven the novelty bag category. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for enliven

• ivan
• liven

Kids Definition

enliven

verb

en·​liv·​en in-ˈlī-vən 

: to give life, action, or spirit to : animate

enliven the party with dance music