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lively - 5 dictionary results
Lively
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live⋅ly

  [lahyv-lee] adjective, -li⋅er, -li⋅est, adverb
Use lively in a Sentence
–adjective
1. full or suggestive of life or vital energy; active, vigorous, or brisk: a lively discussion.
2. animated, spirited, vivacious, or sprightly: a lively tune; a lively wit.
3. eventful, stirring, or exciting: The opposition gave us a lively time.
4. bustling with activity; astir: The marketplace was lively with vendors.
5. strong, keen, or distinct; vivid: a lively recollection.
6. striking, telling, or effective, as an expression or instance.
7. vivid or bright, as color or light: a lively pink.
8. sparkling, as wines.
9. fresh or invigorating, as air: a lively breeze.
10. rebounding quickly; springing back; resilient: a lively tennis ball.
11. riding the sea buoyantly, as a ship.
–adverb
12. with briskness, vigor, or animation; briskly: to step lively.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME; OE līflīc vital. See life, -ly

Related forms:
live⋅li⋅ly, adverb
live⋅li⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. alert, spry, nimble, agile, quick, pert. 2. gay, buoyant. 5. forceful, clear. 7. brilliant, clear, glowing.

Antonyms:
1. inactive, torpid. 2. dull. 5. weak. 7. dim.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To lively
live·ly   (līv'lē)   
adj.   live·li·er, live·li·est
  1. Full of life and energy; vigorous: a lively baby.
  2. Full of spirit; gay and animated: a lively tune.
  3. Marked by animated intelligence: a lively discussion.
  4. Invigorating; refreshing.
  5. Effervescent; sparkling.
  6. Keen; brisk: gave the kitchen floor a lively sweeping.
  7. Rebounding readily upon impact; resilient: a lively tennis ball. See Synonyms at active.
adv.  With energy or vigor; briskly: Step lively!

[Middle English lifli, from Old English līflīc, from līf, life; see leip- in Indo-European roots.]
live'li·ly adv., live'li·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Lively

Live"ly\, a. [Compar. Livelier; superl. Liveliest.] [For lifely. Cf. Lifelike.]

1. Endowed with or manifesting life; living.

Chaplets of gold and silver resembling lively flowers and leaves. --Holland.

2. Brisk; vivacious; active; as, a lively youth.

But wherefore comes old Manoa in such haste, With youthful steps ? Much livelier than erewhile He seems. --Milton.

3. Gay; airy; animated; spirited.

From grave to gay, from lively to severe. --Pope.

4. Representing life; lifelike. [Obs.]

I spied the lively picture of my father. --Massinger.

5. Bright; vivid; glowing; strong; vigorous.

The colors of the prism are manifestly more full, intense, and lively that those of natural bodies. --Sir I. Newton.

His faith must be not only living, but lively too. --South.

Lively stones (Script.), saints, as being quickened by the Spirit, and active in holiness.

Syn: Brisk; vigorous; quick; nimble; smart; active; alert; sprightly; animated; spirited; prompt; earnest; strong; energetic; vivid; vivacious; blithe; gleeful; airy; gay; jocund.

Lively

Live"ly\, adv. 1. In a brisk, active, or animated manner; briskly; vigorously. --Hayward.

2. With strong resemblance of life. [Obs.]

Thou counterfeitest most lively. --Shak.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : lively
Spanish: alegre, vivo, lleno de vida,
German: lebhaft,
Japanese: 生き生きした
More Translations »

lively 
O.E. liflic "living, existing," lit. "life-like;" sense of "active, energetic" developed by 1225.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Lively
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