live
LIHV
Live (verb) means to be alive; to have life. Example: “Some tortoises live for over 150 years.”
verb
1
To be alive; to have life.
"Some tortoises live for over 150 years."
"Doctors said the patient would live, against the odds."
"Cats can live for many years if you look after them."
2
To reside somewhere; to make one's home in a place.
"They live in a small flat near the station."
"She has lived in three different countries."
"My cousin lives in a village by the sea."
3
To spend one's life in a particular way, or to experience life fully.
"He lives simply, with few possessions."
"They wanted to travel and really live before settling down."
"She decided to live honestly and treat everyone with kindness."
adj
1
Alive, or currently active/in use (as opposed to recorded, tested, or switched off).
"Careful — that wire is live."
"The new website is now live."
"Never touch a live cable with wet hands."
2
Broadcast or performed in real time, in front of an audience, rather than pre-recorded.
"The band played a live set on the radio."
"It's a live broadcast, so anything could go wrong."
"We watched the live concert on television last night."
How to use live
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing alive, residing somewhere, or (as an adjective) currently active/happening in real time.
Common mistake
The verb "live" (rhymes with "give") and the adjective "live" (rhymes with "hive") are spelled the same but pronounced differently — context tells you which one is meant.
Common pairings
live in
live with
live a life
go live
live broadcast
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- lives
- Past tense
- lived
- Comparative
- more live
- Superlative
- most live
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Some tortoises _____ for over 150 years.
Etymology
From Old English libban/lifian, "to live, be alive," a very old Germanic word related to leben in German and leven in Dutch.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for live
See all rhymes for live →Frequently asked questions
What does “live” mean?
The word “live” means to be alive; to have life. In plain terms, being alive, residing somewhere, or (as an adjective) currently active/happening in real time.
How do you pronounce “live”?
“Live” is pronounced LIHV (/ˈlɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “live” in a sentence?
Here is “live” used in a sentence: “Some tortoises live for over 150 years.”
What is another word for “live”?
Words with a similar meaning to “live” include dwell, last, remain and alive.
What is the opposite of “live”?
The opposite of “live” — its antonyms — are dead, blank, dummy, neutral and recorded.
What part of speech is “live”?
Depending on how it is used, “live” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “live” come from?
The word “live” comes from Old English. From Old English libban/lifian, "to live, be alive," a very old Germanic word related to leben in German and leven in Dutch.
Is “live” a common word?
“Live” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'live' and 'alive'?
'Live' is a verb — an action or state meaning to have life, as in 'plants live and grow.' 'Alive' is an adjective describing that same state, as in 'the plant is alive.' You live, the verb, because you are alive, the adjective. One does the work of a verb, the other of a description.
What is the difference between 'live' and 'life'?
'Live' is a verb — the action of having life, as in 'we live each day to the full.' 'Life' is a noun — the state of being alive, or the span during which one is alive, as in 'a long life.' You live your life: the verb is the doing, the noun is the thing done.
Why does the verb 'live' have two meanings?
As a verb, 'live' can mean to be alive ('she lived to ninety') or to reside somewhere ('they live in Rome'). The spelling is identical, so context separates them. Note too that the verb 'live' rhymes with 'give,' while the unrelated adjective 'live,' as in a live show, rhymes with 'hive.'
What is the opposite of 'live'?
As a verb meaning to be alive, the opposite is to 'die' — to stop living — or to be 'dead.' 'Perish' is a stronger word for the same idea. When 'live' instead means to reside somewhere, there is no true opposite; you would simply move away or leave.
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