alive Meaning & Definition
What Does Alive Mean?
Alive is an adjective that means Having life; living; not dead. It can also mean In a state of action; in force or operation; existent.
Alive at a Glance
| Part of speech | adjective |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /əˈlaɪv/ |
| Synonyms | spirited, active and live |
| Antonyms | unanimated, dead and prerecorded |
| Comparative / superlative | more alive, most alive |
Alive Definition (Adjective)
- Having life; living; not dead.
As long as the plant is alive, he will continue to water it.
- In a state of action; in force or operation; existent.
to keep the fire alive
- Busy with activity of many living beings; swarming; thronged; busy.
Although quite dull during the day, the main street comes alive at night, with many bars and clubs opening.
- Carrying electrical current; energized.
DANGER: OVERHEAD CATENARY—WIRE IS ALIVE
- Aware of; sensitive to.
We are alive to the ongoing potential for terrorist attacks.
- Sprightly; lively; brisk.
- Susceptible, sensitive; easy to impress; having keen feelings, as opposed to apathy.
- Out of all living creatures.
The Whitest Boy Alive
- Synonym of live.
Adjective
- Susceptible; easy to impress; having keen feelings, as opposed to apathy
- (as an intensifier) out of all living creatures.
Adjective
- (only used attributively) Having life; that is alive.
The post office will not ship live animals.
- Being in existence; actual
He is a live example of the consequences of excessive drinking.
- Having active properties; being energized.
- Operational; in actual use rather than in testing etc.
- Taken from a living animal.
live feathers
- Imparting power; having motion.
a live, or driving, axle
- Still in active play.
a live ball
- Seen or heard from a broadcast, as it happens.
The station presented a live news program every evening.
- (of a performance or speech) In person.
This nightclub has a live band on weekends.
- (entertainment, performing) Recorded in front of an audience and not having been edited after recording.
a live album
- Of firearms or explosives, capable of causing harm.
The air force practices dropping live bombs on the uninhabited island.
- (circuitry) Electrically charged or energized, usually indicating that the item may cause electrocution if touched.
Use caution when working near live wires.
- Being a bet which can be raised by the bettor, usually in reference to a blind or straddle.
Tommy's blind was live, so he was given the option to raise.
- Featuring humans; not animated, in the phrases “live actors” or “live action”.
- Being in a state of ignition; burning.
a live coal; live embers
- Full of earnestness; active; wide awake; glowing.
a live man, or orator
- Vivid; bright.
Synonyms of Alive
Antonyms of Alive
Alive in a Sentence
As long as the plant is alive, he will continue to water it.
to keep the fire alive
to keep the affections alive
Although quite dull during the day, the main street comes alive at night, with many bars and clubs opening.
First a solitary blackbird started up, and soon the whole forest was alive with birdsong.
DANGER: OVERHEAD CATENARY—WIRE IS ALIVE
We are alive to the ongoing potential for terrorist attacks.
The Whitest Boy Alive
The post office will not ship live animals.
He is a live example of the consequences of excessive drinking.
live feathers
a live, or driving, axle
a live ball
The station presented a live news program every evening.
This nightclub has a live band on weekends.
a live album
The air force practices dropping live bombs on the uninhabited island.
Use caution when working near live wires.
Tommy's blind was live, so he was given the option to raise.
a live coal; live embers
a live man, or orator
Word Forms & Grammar
alive (comparative more alive, superlative most alive)
Words That Rhyme With Alive
Origin of Alive
From Middle English alyve, alive, alife, olive, olife, on live, on life, from Old English on līfe (“alive”, literally “in life" or "in (the) body”), from on (“on, in”) + līfe, dative singular of līf (“life”). In this sense, replaced Old English cwic (whence English quick). Equivalent to a- + life. Compare Dutch in leven (“alive”, literally “in life”), German am Leben (“alive”, literally “at life" or "at living”).
Questions People Ask About Alive
What part of speech is alive?
Alive is an adjective.
What is another word for alive?
You can replace alive with words such as spirited, active and live. See the full list of alive synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of alive?
Words opposite in meaning to alive are unanimated, dead, prerecorded and recorded.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of alive?
The comparative form is more alive and the superlative form is most alive.