alive
uh-LYV
Alive (adjective) means Living; not dead. Example: “Amazingly, all the passengers were found alive after the storm.”
adjective
1
Living; not dead.
"Amazingly, all the passengers were found alive after the storm."
"The doctors managed to keep him alive through the night."
"Is the old man still alive?"
2
Still active, in force, or in existence.
"Hope stayed alive in the village even after months of bad news."
"Keep the tradition alive by teaching it to your children."
"The debate is still very much alive among scientists."
3
Full of activity or energy; buzzing with people or things.
"By noon the beach was alive with children, kites and ice cream sellers."
"The market was alive with shouting traders and street performers."
"On a Saturday night the whole street comes alive."
4
Aware of or sensitive to something.
"Teachers need to stay alive to how children feel about their lessons."
"She has always been alive to the needs of her students."
"Good managers stay alive to changes in the market."
How to use alive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot dead — or, more broadly, still active, energetic, or switched on to something.
Common mistake
Alive is not normally used directly before a noun ("an alive dog" sounds wrong) — say "a living dog" instead; alive goes after the noun or verb ("the dog is alive").
Common pairings
still alive
come alive
alive and well
alive to the danger
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more alive
- Superlative
- most alive
Fill the gap
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Amazingly, all the passengers were found _____ after the storm.
Etymology
From Old English on līfe, literally "in life" — the same phrase that gives us the shortened word "life" fused into one.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for alive
See all rhymes for alive →Frequently asked questions
What does “alive” mean?
The word “alive” means living; not dead. In plain terms, not dead — or, more broadly, still active, energetic, or switched on to something.
How do you pronounce “alive”?
“Alive” is pronounced uh-LYV (/əˈlaɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “alive” in a sentence?
Here is “alive” used in a sentence: “The doctors managed to keep him alive through the night.”
What is another word for “alive”?
Words with a similar meaning to “alive” include extant, vital, peppy, zestful, above ground and alive and well.
What is the opposite of “alive”?
The opposite of “alive” — its antonyms — is dead.
What part of speech is “alive”?
“Alive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “alive” come from?
The word “alive” comes from Old English. From Old English on līfe, literally "in life" — the same phrase that gives us the shortened word "life" fused into one.
Is “alive” a common word?
“Alive” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between alive and living?
The two overlap, but grammar sets them apart. Alive usually comes after a verb — the patient is alive, kept alive. Living can sit before a noun — a living creature, living things. Living can also describe something ongoing or in use, like a living language, where 'alive' would sound odd.
Can 'alive' mean more than just 'not dead'?
Yes. Beyond the literal sense, alive often means full of energy or feeling — a party comes alive, a face is alive with excitement, a street is alive with people. It can also mean still active or existing, as in keeping a tradition, hope, or memory alive.
What is the opposite of alive?
The direct opposite is dead. Related antonyms include lifeless, deceased, and, for things never living, inanimate. In the figurative sense of lively or energetic, opposites such as dull, lifeless, or flat apply — a room that feels dead rather than alive.
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