alive

adjective

ə-ˈlīv 

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 something : 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

aliveness noun

Synonyms

• animate
• breathing
• live
• living
• quick

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of alive in a Sentence

It feels great to be alive.

The patient was barely alive.

The sheriff was ordered to find the killer and bring him back alive.

He managed to stay alive for a week without any food.

The patient is being kept alive by artificial means.

an old tradition that is still alive

We need to keep hope alive.

The team needs to win tonight in order to stay alive in the play-offs.

I love to sail because it makes me feel so alive.

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike Dana White, who built the UFC with the backing of the billionaire Fertitta brothers, Feldman is going it alone, even refinancing his house at times to keep the sport alive. —Stayton Bonner, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2024

Meanwhile, old-guard hearing aid companies have scrambled to adapt, many now offering a cheaper OTC alternative while also trying to keep their cash cow prescription products alive. —Christopher Null, WIRED, 20 Apr. 2024

While some looked ahead at another series against the Celtics, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra remained in the present moment following Friday’s playoff-clinching win over the Bulls that kept Miami’s season alive. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024

Milwaukee's Jewish community has also sought to keep alive the memories of those killed by Hamas' attack on Oct. 7. —Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024

Uncertainty over how many hostages are still alive are complicating Gaza cease-fire negotiations, officials say. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024

Find out which of the Liars make it out alive when Pretty Little Liars: Summer School premieres May 9 on Max. —Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2024

Joseph had already fallen down the cliff when the hikers heard yelling and subsequently discovered her alive, with serious injuries. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2024

Steak in a grocery store or chicken, how many days ago was that thing alive? —Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English on life, from on + līf life

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing alive

• alive and kicking
• alive and well
• alive to
• bring (something) alive
• burn alive
• come alive
• eat alive
• more dead than alive
• skin (someone) alive

Kids Definition

alive

adjective

ə-ˈlīv 

1

: having life : not dead

2

: still in existence, force, or operation : active

kept hope alive

3

: extremely aware or conscious : sensitive

alive to the beauty of life

4

: marked by much life or activity

blossoms alive with bees

aliveness noun

Medical Definition

alive

adjective

ə-ˈlīv 

: having life : not dead or inanimate