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 ²( def 13 ).

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. alive and kicking
   (of a person) active and in good health
10. look alive!
    hurry up! get busy!

Derived Forms

• aˈliveness, noun

Other Words From

• a·liveness noun
• half-a·live 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. look alive! pay attention! move quickly!:

   Look alive! We haven't got all day.

2. alive to, alert or sensitive to; aware of:

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

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

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats may seek to force a vote on Stabenow’s proposal, keeping the possibility of movement alive — if only faintly.

From Salon

It has been almost 20 years since hunting foxes with dogs was banned, but Mr John says he still finds himself in a "fight for survival" to keep elements of the sport he loves alive.

From BBC

When I came round I felt extremely lucky to be alive - but the euphoria I had experienced after brain surgery was absent.

From BBC

In the wake of Stewart’s comments, New York Post columnist Andrea Peyser shot back at Stewart, writing in an article, “I’m alive, b***h!”

From Salon

Living organisms enjoy sunlight -- in fact, many need it to stay alive -- but they tend to avoid light that is too bright.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• awake
• eager
• ready
• rife