[live.ly] adj live.li.er ; -est [ME, fr. OE liflic, fr. lif life] (bef. 12c) 1 obs: living
2: briskly alert and energetic: vigorous, animated "a ~ discussion" "~ children racing for home"
3: active, intense "takes a ~ interest in politics"
4: brilliant, fresh "a ~ 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 ~ boat" 8: full of life, movement, or incident "~ streets at carnival time" -- live.li.ly adv -- live.li.ness n -- lively adv syn 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".