LIVELY


Meaning of LIVELY in English

adj.

Pronunciation: ' l ī v-l ē

Function: adjective

Inflected Form: live · li · er ; -est

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English l ī fl ī c, from l ī f life

Date: before 12th century

1 obsolete : LIVING

2 : briskly alert and energetic : VIGOROUS , ANIMATED <a lively discussion> < lively children racing for home>

3 : ACTIVE , INTENSE <takes a lively interest in politics>

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

7 : responding readily to the helm <a lively boat>

8 : full of life, movement, or incident < lively streets at carnival time>

– live · li · ly \ ' l ī v-l ə -l ē \ adverb

– live · li · ness \ ' l ī v-l ē -n ə s \ noun

– lively adverb

synonyms 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>.

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.