alive

UK: /əˈlaɪv/ US: /əˈlaɪv/ ,(ə līv′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

a•live /əˈlaɪv/   adj. 

1. living;
   existing;
   not dead or lifeless:
   [be + ~] He was still alive after being buried in the snow for five days.
2. (used for emphasis) living:
   [after a noun] the proudest person alive.
3. in force or operation;
   active: [after a noun]
   to keep hope alive.
   [be + ~]
   Their hopes were still alive.
4. full of energy and spirit;
   lively:
   [be + ~] alive and kicking.

Idioms

5. Idioms alive to, aware of:
   keenly alive to the emotions of others.
6. Idioms alive with, filled with;
   swarming with:
   The pond was alive with fish.

a•live•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

a•live  (ə līv′), adj. 

1. having life;
   living;
   existing;
   not dead or lifeless.
2. living (used for emphasis):
   the proudest man alive.
3. in a state of action;
   in force or operation;
   active:
   to keep hope alive.
4. full of energy and spirit;
   lively:
   Grandmother's more alive than most of her contemporaries.
5. having the quality of life;
   vivid;
   vibrant:
   The room was alive with color.
6. Electricity live² (def. 17).
7. alive to, alert or sensitive to;
   aware of:
   City planners are alive to the necessity of revitalizing deteriorating neighborhoods.
8. alive with, filled with living things;
   swarming;
   teeming:
   The room was alive with mosquitoes.
9. look alive! pay attention! move quickly!:
   Look alive! We haven't got all day.

• bef. 1000; Middle English; Old English on līfe in life; see a-¹

a•live′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 4. active.

Antonyms

• 1. dead.
• 3. defunct.
• 4. lifeless.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

alive / əˈlaɪv/ adjective (postpositive)

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
5. (usually followed by with) animated: a face alive with emotion
6. (followed by to) aware (of); sensitive (to)
7. (followed by with) teeming (with): the mattress was alive with fleas
8. another word for live211

Etymology: Old English on līfe in life