lively

adjective

live·​ly ˈlīv-lē 

livelier; liveliest

1

: briskly alert and energetic : vigorous, animated

a lively discussion

lively children racing for home

2

: active, intense

takes a lively interest in politics

3

: full of life, movement, or incident

lively streets at carnival time

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

a lively ball

7

: responding readily to the helm

a lively boat

8

obsolete : living

livelily

ˈlīv-lə-lē 

adverb

liveliness

ˈlīv-lē-nəs 

noun

lively adverb

Synonyms

• active
• airy
• animate
• animated
• bouncing
• brisk
• energetic
• frisky
• gay
• jaunty
• jazzy
• kinetic
• mettlesome
• peppy
• perky
• pert
• pizzazzy
• pizazzy
• racy
• snappy
• spanking
• sparky
• spirited
• sprightly
• springy
• vital
• vivacious
• zippy

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of lively in a Sentence

a very lively writing style

The book is lively and well written.

They had a lively debate.

A lively atmosphere keeps people coming back to the café.

Recent Examples on the Web

The series, which centers on a lively group of Native American teenagers living on a reservation in rural Oklahoma, also nabbed an acting nomination for D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, who plays the crew’s unofficial ringleader, Bear. —Moises Mendez Ii, TIME, 17 July 2024

July 16, 2024 On the morning of my interview with Alighieri founder Rosh Mahtani, a lively debate has broken out in the British Vogue office. —Laura Hawkins, Vogue, 16 July 2024

Explore Two Door Cinema Club See latest videos, charts and news Fenway Concert Series During the summertime, The Fenway Concert Series transforms the iconic baseball stadium into a lively music venue, where fans can enjoy performances with the famous Green Monster as a backdrop. —Quincy Green, Billboard, 16 July 2024

The architect owner redesigned the tiny space with lots of natural light in mind July 15, 2024 Just east of Montmartre, in a 19th-century building in one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Paris, a 430-square-foot building has been given a new look, filled with natural light. —Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 15 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English līflīc, from līf life

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 8

Phrases Containing lively

• lively imagination
• lively interest
• look lively
• step lively

Kids Definition

lively

adjective

live·​ly ˈlīv-lē 

livelier; liveliest

1

: full of life : active

a lively puppy

2

: keen entry 1 sense 3

a lively interest

3

: full of spirit or feeling

a lively debate

4

: showing activity or spirit

a lively manner

liveliness noun

lively adverb