First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1live
verb \ˈliv\
: to be alive
: to continue to be alive
: to have a home in a specified place
livedliv·ing
Full Definition of LIVE
intransitive verb
1
: to be alive : have the life of an animal or plant
2
: to continue alive
3
: to maintain oneself : subsist <lived on rice and peas>
4
a : to occupy a home : dwell <living in a shabby room> <they had always lived in the country> b : to be located or stored <the silverware lives here>
5
: to attain eternal life <though he die, yet shall he live — John 11:25(Revised Standard Version)>
6
: to conduct or pass one's life <lived only for his work>
7
: to remain in human memory or record <the past lives in us all — W. R. Inge>
8
: to have a life rich in experience
9
: cohabit
transitive verb
1
: to pass through or spend the duration of <lived their lives alone>
3
: to exhibit vigor, gusto, or enthusiasm in <lived life to the fullest>
4
a : to experience firsthand <living a dream> b : to be thoroughly absorbed by or involved with <she lives her work>
— live it up
: to live with gusto and usually fast and loose <lived it up with wine and song — Newsweek>
— live up to
: to act or be in accordance with <had no intention of living up to his promise>
See live defined for English-language learners
See live defined for kids
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Origin of LIVE
Middle English, from Old English libban; akin to Old High German lebēn to live
2live
adjective \ˈlīv\
: having life : living or alive
: not imaginary : actually existing
: done in front of an audience : of or involving a play, concert, etc., that is performed in front of people
Full Definition of LIVE
1
2
: exerting force or containing energy: as a : afire, glowing <live coals> b : connected to electric power c : charged with explosives and containing shot or a bullet <live ammunition>; also : armed but not exploded <a live bomb> d : imparting or driven by power <a live axle> e : being in operation <a live microphone>
3
: abounding with life : vivid
4
: being in a pure native state
5
: of bright vivid color
6
: of continuing or current interest <live issues>
7
a : not yet printed from or plated <live type> b : not yet typeset <live copy>
8
a : of or involving a presentation (as a play or concert) in which both the performers and an audience are physically present <a live record album> <a nightclub with live entertainment> b : broadcast directly at the time of production <a live radio program>
9
: being in play <a live ball>
See live defined for English-language learners
Origin of LIVE
short for alive
First Known Use: 1542
Related to LIVE
- Synonyms
- alive, functional, functioning, going, active, living, on, operating, operational, operative, running, working
- Antonyms
- broken, dead, inactive, inoperative, kaput (also kaputt), nonactivated, nonfunctional, nonfunctioning, nonoperating, nonoperational, nonoperative
3live
adverb \ˈlīv\
: during, from, or at the actual time that something (such as a performance or event) happens
Full Definition of LIVE
: at the actual time of occurrence : during, from, or at a live production <the program was broadcast live>
See live defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of LIVE
1946
LIVE Defined for Kids
1live
verb \ˈliv\
livedliv·ing
Definition of LIVE for Kids
1
: to be alive <Dinosaurs lived long ago.>
2
: to continue in life <My grandmother lived to the age of 98.>
3
: dwell 1 <They live in Indiana.>
4
: to spend life <Let them live in peace.>
— live it up
: to live with great enthusiasm and excitement
— live up to
: to be good enough to satisfy expectations
2live
adjective \ˈlīv\
Definition of LIVE for Kids
1
: having life : alive <If the public gets to know we've got a live dinosaur here, they'd be swarming all over the place … — Oliver Butterworth, The Enormous Egg>
2
: broadcast at the time of production <a live television program>
3
: charged with an electric current <a live wire>
4
: burning usually without flame <live coals>
5
: not exploded <a live bomb>
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