vivacious

adjective

vi·​va·​cious və-ˈvā-shəs 

 also  vī-

: lively in temper, conduct, or spirit : sprightly

vivaciously adverb

vivaciousness noun

Did you know?

Vivacious may not be onomatopoeic in a strict sense, but there’s definitely something lively—maybe even a bit va-va-voom—in the way its three syllables trip off the tongue. Perhaps this is why it has appealed to English speakers since the mid-1600s, when it was formed from the Latin adjective vivax meaning “long-lived, vigorous, or high-spirited.” Vivax comes from the verb vivere, meaning “to live.” Other English descendants of vivere include survive, revive, and victual—all of which came to life during the 15th century—and vivid and convivial, both of which surfaced around the same time as vivacious. Somewhat surprisingly, the word live is unrelated; it comes to us from the Old English word libban.

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for vivacious

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 vivacious in a Sentence

Historically, in nations where city economies are dying and where, as well, cities are drained in service to transactions of decline, one city remains vivacious longest: the capital city. —Jane Jacobs, Cities and the Wealth of Nations, (1984) 1985

You see, for years I have built my figure on the premise that "fat people are jolly." I have eaten my way through: pleasant, cheery, sunny, smiling, gay, spirited, chipper, vivacious, sparkling, happy, and sportive and was well on my way to becoming hysterical. —Erma Bombeck, The Best of Bombeck, (1965) 1967

She could follow every word that the ramblers uttered. They were talking no secrets. They were merely indulging in the ordinary vivacious chat of relatives who have long been parted in person though not in soul. —Thomas Hardy, The Return of the Native, 1878

an outgoing, vivacious girl who became a successful sales rep

the poem is a vivacious expression of his love for her

Recent Examples on the Web

Her outfits were downright aspirational: vivid reds, gorgeous greens and other vivacious tones and textures breathed life into Wise’s character. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 22 Dec. 2024

The win crystalizes a turnaround for the Buffaloes orchestrated by second-year head coach Deion Sanders, whose vivacious leadership style led CU to a 9-3 record. —Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 14 Dec. 2024

Her younger sister, Chantelle (Michele Austin), a hairdresser, is by contrast chatty and warm, with two vivacious daughters who don’t quite understand why their aunt is so sour. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2024

Flintlock: Siege of Dawn is even more accessible: quippy and vivacious, pairing magic with a steampunk aesthetic and a series of arresting, earthy locales. —Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin vivac-, vivax long-lived, vigorous, high-spirited, from vivere to live

First Known Use

circa 1645, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

vivacious

adjective

vi·​va·​cious və-ˈvā-shəs 

 also  vī-

: full of life and good spirits

vivaciously adverb

vivaciousness noun