lively

adjective

live·​ly ˈlīv-lē 

livelier; liveliest

1

: briskly alert and energetic : vigorous, animated

a lively discussion

lively children racing for home

2

: active, intense

takes a lively interest in politics

3

: full of life, movement, or incident

lively streets at carnival time

4

: brilliant, fresh

a lively wit

5

: imparting spirit or vivacity : stimulating

many a peer of England brews livelier liquor than the Muse

—A. E. Housman

6

: quick to rebound : resilient

a lively ball

7

: responding readily to the helm

a lively boat

8

obsolete : living

livelily

ˈlīv-lə-lē 

adverb

liveliness

ˈlīv-lē-nəs 

noun

lively adverb

Synonyms

• active
• airy
• animate
• animated
• bouncing
• brisk
• energetic
• frisky
• gay
• jaunty
• jazzy
• kinetic
• mettlesome
• peppy
• perky
• pert
• pizzazzy
• pizazzy
• racy
• snappy
• spanking
• sparky
• spirited
• sprightly
• springy
• vital
• vivacious
• zippy

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of lively in a Sentence

a very lively writing style

The book is lively and well written.

They had a lively debate.

A lively atmosphere keeps people coming back to the café.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tonight: Show respect. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) ★★★★ Discussions with partners, spouses and even members of the general public will be lively today. —Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2024

In the last year, Chea says she’s worked one or two events per month, with each gig involving two to three hours of shucking oysters for party guests and entertaining them with lively conversation. —Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2024

Campbell’s complete State of the Sides Report is full of Thanksgiving facts and figures that make for a lively discussion over turkey and gravy. —Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2024

Candice took the pinfall, which considering what happened with Indi, that’s wild. Bayley and Naomi vs. Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell Grade: B- Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso Appear Live Fans were far more lively for the OTC and Jimmy Uso. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English līflīc, from līf life

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 8

Phrases Containing lively

• lively imagination
• lively interest
• look lively
• step lively

Kids Definition

lively

adjective

live·​ly ˈlīv-lē 

livelier; liveliest

1

: full of life : active

a lively puppy

2

: keen entry 1 sense 3

a lively interest

3

: full of spirit or feeling

a lively debate

4

: showing activity or spirit

a lively manner

liveliness noun

lively adverb