lively
LYV-lee
Lively (adj) means Full of energy and enthusiasm; active and spirited. Example: “The puppy was so lively that it ran circles around the garden all morning.”
adj
1
Full of energy and enthusiasm; active and spirited.
"The puppy was so lively that it ran circles around the garden all morning."
"The children were lively after their nap."
"It was a lively discussion with plenty of disagreement."
2
Bright, vivid, or vigorous (of colours, imagination, or a scene).
"The market was a lively scene of bright fabrics and shouting traders."
"He has a lively imagination and invents new stories every night."
"She gave a lively description of the festival."
How to use lively
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFull of energy, activity, or vividness.
Common pairings
lively debate
lively atmosphere
lively personality
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Word forms
- Plural
- livelies
- Comparative
- livelier, more lively
- Superlative
- liveliest, most lively
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The puppy was so _____ that it ran circles around the garden all morning.
Etymology
From Old English līflīċ, "living, vital," built from life + -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for lively
See all rhymes for lively →Frequently asked questions
What does “lively” mean?
The word “lively” means full of energy and enthusiasm; active and spirited. In plain terms, full of energy, activity, or vividness.
How do you pronounce “lively”?
“Lively” is pronounced LYV-lee (/ˈlaɪv.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “lively” in a sentence?
Here is “lively” used in a sentence: “The children were lively after their nap.”
What is another word for “lively”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lively” include frisky, peppy, zestful, live, vital and sprightly.
What part of speech is “lively”?
“Lively” is an adjective.
Where does the word “lively” come from?
The word “lively” comes from Old English. From Old English līflīċ, "living, vital," built from life + -ly.
Is “lively” a common word?
“Lively” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “lively” have?
“Lively” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: full of energy and enthusiasm; active and spirited.
What is the difference between lively and energetic?
Lively emphasizes spirit, enthusiasm, and animation, often describing personality, atmosphere, or style, while energetic focuses more narrowly on physical vigor and stamina. A lively conversation is engaging and spirited, whereas an energetic person simply has a lot of physical drive.
Can lively describe things other than people?
Yes, lively also describes colours, imagination, or a scene as bright, vivid, or vigorous, not just people or animals. A "lively market" or "lively colours" both use this second sense of the word.
Is lively a formal or informal word?
Lively is neutral in register and appears comfortably in both everyday speech and more formal writing. It's common in reviews, descriptions, and reports without sounding out of place.
What is the difference between lively and lovely?
These words are unrelated in meaning despite their similar spelling. Lively describes energy and spirit, while lovely describes something attractive or pleasing, and confusing the two is a common typing mistake.
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