First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
alive
adjective \ə-ˈlīv\
: having life : living : not dead
: continuing to exist
: not yet defeated : still having a chance to win or succeed
Full Definition of ALIVE
1
: having life : not dead or inanimate
2
a : still in existence, force, or operation : active <kept hope alive> b : still active in competition with a chance of victory <must win to stay alive in the playoffs>
3
: knowing or realizing the existence of : sensitive <alive to the danger>
4
: marked by alertness, energy, or briskness <his face came alive at the mention of food>
5
: marked by much life, animation, or activity : swarming <streets alive with traffic>
6
—used as an intensive following the noun <the proudest boy alive>
— alive·ness noun
See alive defined for English-language learners
See alive defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of ALIVE
Middle English, from Old English on life, from on + līf life
Related to ALIVE
Synonym Discussion of ALIVE
aware, cognizant, conscious, sensible, alive, awake mean having knowledge of something. aware implies vigilance in observing or alertness in drawing inferences from what one experiences <aware of changes in climate>. cognizant implies having special or certain knowledge as from firsthand sources <not fully cognizant of the facts>. conscious implies that one is focusing one's attention on something or is even preoccupied by it <conscious that my heart was pounding>. sensible implies direct or intuitive perceiving especially of intangibles or of emotional states or qualities <sensible of a teacher's influence>. alive adds to sensible the implication of acute sensitivity to something <alive to the thrill of danger>. awake implies that one has become alive to something and is on the alert <a country always awake to the threat of invasion>.
Rhymes with ALIVE
ALIVE Defined for Kids
alive
adjective \ə-ˈlīv\
Definition of ALIVE for Kids
1
: having life : not dead
2
: still in force, existence, or operation <The thought kept our hopes alive.> <They keep the old traditions alive.>
3
: aware of the existence of <He was alive to the danger.>
4
: filled with life and activity <The door to the school was alive with clamoring children. — Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy> <The city streets were alive with shoppers.>
Medical Dictionary
alive
adjective \ə-ˈlīv\
Medical Definition of ALIVE
: having life : not dead or inanimate
Learn More About ALIVE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: alivincularPrevious Word in the Dictionary: aliundeAll Words Near: alive
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up alive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).