enliven

verb

en·​liv·​en in-ˈlī-vən 

en-

enlivened; enlivening; enlivens

transitive verb

: to give life, action, or spirit to : animate

fresh flowers enliven the room

enlivenment

in-ˈlī-vən-mənt 

en-

noun

plural enlivenments

But for the formation of opinion, for the stirring and enlivenment of thought, and for the discernment of colour and proportion, the gifts of travel … are priceless

—Winston Churchill

Synonyms

• amp (up)
• animate
• brace
• energize
• fillip
• fire
• ginger (up)
• invigorate
• jazz (up)
• juice up
• jump-start
• liven (up)
• pep (up)
• quicken
• spike
• stimulate
• vitalize
• vivify
• zip (up)

Choose the Right Synonym for enliven

quicken, animate, enliven, vivify mean to make alive or lively.

quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert.

the arrival of spring quickens the earth

animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.

happiness animated his conversation

enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity.

enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes

vivify implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality.

new blood needed to vivify the dying club

Examples of enliven in a Sentence

He enlivened his speech with a few jokes.

a soup enlivened by chili peppers

A few touches of color will enliven the room.

Recent Examples on the Web

From the Ground Up Landscape Since 2005, From the Ground Up Landscape has been enlivening exteriors throughout the Dallas area. —Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025

Watercolours and its surprisingly competent pictures will enliven any coffee table—and surely provoke more than a few visitors to thumb its pages and reflect on Charles’s varied interests. —Allie Merriam, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2025

Five highlights from the shows: Carl Perkins' legacy enlivens the event Starr's timeless musical legacy fits seamlessly into the blend of blues, country and folk music that birthed rock and roll and is engrained in the American consciousness. —Marcus K. Dowling, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025

After a brief honeymoon period over the summer, when Harris mocked Trump instead of denouncing him, the campaign gave way to a more familiar Democratic posture of ethical rectitude enlivened by flutters of hysteria. —Matthew Karp, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

enliven

verb

en·​liv·​en in-ˈlī-vən 

: to give life, action, or spirit to : animate

enliven the party with dance music