alive

[uh-lahyv]

adjective

1. having life; living; existing; not dead or lifeless.

   Antonyms: dead

2. living (used for emphasis).

   the proudest man alive.

3. in a state of action; in force or operation; active.

   to keep hope alive.

   Antonyms: defunct

4. full of energy and spirit; lively.

   Grandmother's more alive than most of her contemporaries.

   Synonyms: nimble, active
   Antonyms: lifeless

5. having the quality of life; vivid; vibrant.

   The room was alive with color.

6. Electricity.,  live.

alive

/ əˈlaɪv /

adjective

1. (of people, animals, plants, etc) living; having life

2. in existence; active

   they kept hope alive

   the tradition was still alive

3. (immediately postpositive and usually used with a superlative) of those living; now living

   the happiest woman alive

4. full of life; lively

   she was wonderfully alive for her age

5. (usually foll by with) animated

   a face alive with emotion

6. (foll by to) aware (of); sensitive (to)

7. (foll by with) teeming (with)

   the mattress was alive with fleas

8. electronics another word for live 2

9. (of a person) active and in good health

10. hurry up! get busy!

Other Word Forms

• aliveness noun
• half-alive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alive¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English on līfe “in life”; equivalent to a- ¹ + life

Word History and Origins

Origin of alive¹

Old English on līfe in _life

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. alive to, alert or sensitive to; aware of.

   City planners are alive to the necessity of revitalizing deteriorating neighborhoods.

2. look alive! pay attention! move quickly!.

   Look alive! We haven't got all day.

3. alive with, filled with living things; swarming; teeming.

   The room was alive with mosquitoes.

More idioms and phrases containing alive

• come alive
• eat someone alive
• look alive
• more dead than alive
• skin alive

Example Sentences

They are two of the 48 hostages still being held by Hamas, 20 of whom are thought to be alive.

From BBC

“The Grand Finale” was shot while Smith was still alive, and the cast felt both her presence and her absence strongly on set.

From Los Angeles Times

The memoir took her two years, but she says the act of writing is what keeps her alive: "Did you imagine how tired I would be if I wasn't writing? That would kill me."

From BBC

“We only keep democracy alive, is all. Is it worth it? Well, ask the Cincinnati city council — a third of ‘em, indicted on bribery charges today thanks to our reporting.”

From Salon

Though the foetus is not alive, it continues to develop by absorbing nutrients from the host twin.

From BBC

Related Words

• awake 
• eager 
• ready 
• rife