LIVELY


Meaning of LIVELY in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈlīv-lē ]

adjective

( live·li·er ; -est )

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English līflīc, from līf 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 ˈlīv-lə-lē adverb

• live·li·ness ˈlīv-lē-nəs 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's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.