WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
live•ly /ˈlaɪvli/USA pronunciation
adj. and adv., -li•er, -li•est.
adj.
adv.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025adj.
- full or suggestive of life or vital energy:a lively discussion.
- animated;
spirited:a lively tune. - eventful or exciting:The opposition gave us a lively time.
- keen;
vivid:took a lively interest in us. - rebounding quickly:a lively tennis ball.
adv.
- with briskness:Please step lively.
live•ly
(līv′lē),USA pronunciation adj., -li•er, -li•est, adv.
adj.
adv.
live′li•ly, adv.
live′li•ness, n.
adj.
- full or suggestive of life or vital energy;
active, vigorous, or brisk:a lively discussion. - animated, spirited, vivacious, or sprightly:a lively tune; a lively wit.
- eventful, stirring, or exciting:The opposition gave us a lively time.
- bustling with activity;
astir:The marketplace was lively with vendors. - strong, keen, or distinct;
vivid:a lively recollection. - striking, telling, or effective, as an expression or instance.
- vivid or bright, as color or light:a lively pink.
- Winesparkling, as wines.
- fresh or invigorating, as air:a lively breeze.
- rebounding quickly;
springing back;
resilient:a lively tennis ball. - Nautical, Naval Termsriding the sea buoyantly, as a ship.
adv.
- with briskness, vigor, or animation;
briskly:to step lively.
- bef. 1000; Middle English; Old English līflīc vital. See life, -ly
live′li•ness, n.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged alert, spry, nimble, agile, quick, pert.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged gay, buoyant.
- 5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged forceful, clear.
- 7.See corresponding entry in Unabridged brilliant, clear, glowing.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged inactive, torpid.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged dull.
- 5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged weak.
- 7.See corresponding entry in Unabridged dim.
'liveliness' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
active
- activity
- alacrity
- animate
- animation
- belive
- bland
- bounce
- brio
- cheer
- con brio
- crackle
- effervesce
- enthuse
- esprit
- fire
- gaiety
- gay
- ginger
- jazz
- lackluster
- life
- lifeless
- livelihood
- off
- picturesque
- salt
- snap
- sparkle
- spirit
- spirited
- spiritless
- springless
- vapid
- verve
- vital
- vivacity
- warmth
- zest