lively

adjective live·ly \ˈlīv-lē\

: very active and energetic

: full of energy, excitement, or feeling

: full of movement or activity

live·li·erlive·li·est

Full Definition of LIVELY

obsolete : living

: briskly alert and energetic : vigorous, animated <a lively discussion> <lively children racing for home>

: active, intense <takes a lively interest in politics>

: brilliant, fresh <a lively wit>

: imparting spirit or vivacity : stimulating <many a peer of England brews livelier liquor than the Muse — A. E. Housman>

: quick to rebound : resilient

: responding readily to the helm <a lively boat>

: full of life, movement, or incident <lively streets at carnival time>

— live·li·ly \ˈlīv-lə-lē\ adverb

— live·li·ness \ˈlīv-lē-nəs\ noun

— lively adverb

See lively defined for English-language learners

See lively defined for kids

Origin of LIVELY

Middle English, from Old English līflīc, from līf life

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to LIVELY

Synonyms: active, airy, animate, animated, bouncing, brisk, energetic, frisky, gay, jaunty, jazzy, kinetic, mettlesome, peppy, perky, pert, pizzazzy (or pizazzy), racy, snappy, spanking, sparky, spirited, sprightly, springy, vital, vivacious, zippy, on the go

Antonyms: dead, inactive, inanimate, lackadaisical, languid, languishing, languorous, leaden, lifeless, limp, listless, spiritless, vapid

Synonym Discussion of LIVELY

lively, animated, vivacious, sprightly, gay mean keenly alive and spirited. lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy <a lively debate on the issues>. animated applies to what is spirited and active <an animated discussion of current events>. vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring <a vivacious party host>. sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit <a tuneful, sprightly musical>. gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits <the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s>.

LIVELINESS Defined for Kids