/ əˈlaɪv; NAmE / adjective [ not before noun ]
1.
living; not dead :
We don't know whether he's alive or dead.
Is your mother still alive ?
Doctors kept the baby alive for six weeks.
I was glad to hear you're alive and well .
She had to steal food just to stay alive .
He was buried alive in the earthquake.
2.
alive (with sth) full of emotion, excitement, activity, etc. :
Ed was alive with happiness.
3.
continuing to exist :
to keep a tradition alive
4.
alive with sth full of living or moving things :
The pool was alive with goldfish.
5.
alive to sth aware of sth; knowing sth exists and is important :
to be alive to the dangers / facts / possibilities
•
IDIOMS
- alive and kicking
- bring sth alive
- come alive
—more at eat
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English on līfe , literally in life .