Definitions

lively

[lahyv-lee] / ˈlaɪv li /

ADJECTIVE

energetic, active, busy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

animated bright buoyant bustling cheerful enjoyable entertaining festive frisky nimble peppy provocative refreshing spirited stimulating vigorous

WEAK

agile alert animate astir blithe blithesome bouncy brisk buzzing chipper chirpy complex dashing driving effervescent enterprising frolicsome full of pep gay go-go happy hyper industrious involved jocund jumping keen merry perky pert quick rousing snappy sparkling sprightly spry stirring vivacious zippy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

apathetic depressed down dull gloomy heavy inactive lethargic sad somber unhappy unpleasant

WEAK

dispirited lifeless sleepy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While sportsbooks hope for a lively tournament that keeps bettors engaged, they don’t want things to get too wild, like the last World Cup final.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

Rogers also looked lively when he came off the bench – Bellingham briefly being used as a false nine – so the debate will continue to rage.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

The author’s historical range is formidable, with details giving what might have been a dry revisionist argument the texture of lively narrative history.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

The viewer wants the punches, kicks and knockouts, maybe with a few jokes peppered in to keep things lively.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

The only real sense of movement came from the crowds of fairgoers who bustled through the streets, endowing it with the vigor and lively mood I associated with village market days.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Vocabulary lists containing lively

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

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List 2

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"One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia, List 2

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