adj. 1 full of life; vigorous, energetic. 2 brisk (a lively pace). 3 vivid, stimulating (a lively discussion). 4 vivacious, jolly, sociable. 5 joc. exciting, dangerous, difficult (the press is making things lively for them). 6 (of a colour) bright and vivid. 7 lifelike, realistic (a lively description). 8 (of a boat etc.) rising lightly to the waves. livelily adv. liveliness n.
[ OE liflic (as LIFE, -LY(1)) ]