live wire

noun

: an alert, active, or aggressive person
live-wire adjective

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 The news has prompted safety experts to share tips on how to approach dangerous situations involving live wires. Katie Mogg, NBC News, 19 Jan. 2024 On June 10, 2021, James was working in a bucket truck when a live wire touched his face. Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023 These crazy, live wire, big questions that affect a country or world. Selome Hailu, Variety, 8 Nov. 2023 His face accidentally touched a live wire, causing devastating injuries, including the loss of his left eye, his nose and his lips. Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2023 Men were stripped naked and live wires attached to their genitals. James Verini Paolo Pellegrin, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023 The gas in the kitchen wasn’t connected, a live wire in the walls made for a major fire hazard, and cabinet shelving was installed wrong. Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 4 July 2023 Mark Part of Tommy and Sincere’s crew, and a live wire. Okla Jones, Essence, 4 Nov. 2023 Like millions of women, the tension between projecting both power and warmth, authority and approachability, strength and humility is one that runs like a live wire throughout Harris' world. Michelle Tauber, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'live wire.' 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

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of live wire was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near live wire

Cite this Entry

“Live wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/live%20wire. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

live wire

noun
: an alert, active, or forceful person
live-wire adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on live wire

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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