liven

verb

liv·​en ˈlī-vən 

livened; livening ˈlī-və-niŋ 

ˈlīv-niŋ

transitive verb

: enliven

—often used with up

he … livened up the editorial page

—Current Biography

intransitive verb

: to become lively

Synonyms

• amp (up)
• animate
• brace
• energize
• enliven
• fillip
• fire
• ginger (up)
• invigorate
• jazz (up)
• juice up
• jump-start
• pep (up)
• quicken
• spike
• stimulate
• vitalize
• vivify
• zip (up)

Examples of liven in a Sentence

He played some music to liven the atmosphere.

Recent Examples on the Web

The scarcity of furniture along with a predominantly white colour scheme, livened up by the odd Missoni cushion, compound the hotel's clean-sleep ethos. —Alexandra Zagalsky, theweek, 20 Feb. 2024

As the energetic, candid Lombardi, Emily Mortimer brings a Billy Crudup in The Morning Show energy to the show that livens up the dark tone. —Carrie Wittmer, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2024

Before then, fans should check out these great movies that have the same spirit and humor as Legally Blonde — and are guaranteed to liven the mood better than the bend and snap. —Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 6 July 2024

Use it for fresh buds or a few pampas stems to liven up your living room or sleeping space. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 11 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1628, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

liven

verb

liv·​en ˈlī-vən 

livened; livening ˈlīv-(ə-)niŋ 

: to make or become lively

—often used with up