Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having life; not dead: The primary meaning refers to a living organism or entity.
   • In existence or operation; continuing: Used to describe things that are still active, valid, or relevant.
   • Full of life, energy, or activity; lively: Describes a person, place, or thing that is vibrant, spirited, or animated.
   • Aware of; sensitive to: Followed by 'to', it means being conscious or cognizant of something.
   • Swarming or teeming with: Often followed by 'with', indicating an abundance of living things or activity.

Usage Examples

• Having life:
  • Is your grandfather still alive?
  • The doctors managed to keep the patient alive.
• In existence or operation:
  • The ancient customs are still alive in that village.
  • We must keep the memory of our heroes alive.
• Full of life and energy:
  • Her eyes were alive with excitement.
  • He felt more alive than ever after his trip.
• Aware of:
  • She is fully alive to the risks involved in the project.
  • A good politician must be alive to public opinion.
• Swarming with:
  • The pond was alive with frogs.
  • The market was alive with the sound of traders.

Advanced Usage

• "Alive and well": In good health and active; also used figuratively to say something is still existing and functioning.

  • Despite rumors, the author is alive and well and writing a new book.
  • The spirit of volunteerism is alive and well in our community.

• "Alive to the fact that...": Fully aware or conscious of a particular situation or truth.

  • The management is alive to the fact that employee morale is low.

• "Come alive": To become lively, active, or interesting.

  • The party came alive when the music started.
  • The historical figures come alive in her novels.

Variants and Related Words

• Live (adj): /laɪv/ Having life; not dead or recorded. (e.g., , ). Note: This is a distinct word with different pronunciations and some overlapping meanings.
• Lively (adj): Full of life and energy; active and outgoing.
• Living (adj): Currently alive; in existence. (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Living: Having life.
• Animated: Full of life or excitement.
• Existent: Having existence; current.
• Aware: Having knowledge or perception of a situation.
• Alert: Quick to notice and respond.

Related Phrases

• Look alive!: An exhortation to be quick, alert, or energetic.

  • Look alive, people! We have a lot of work to do.

• Skin (someone) alive: To scold or punish someone severely.

  • My boss will skin me alive if I'm late with this report again.

Related Idioms

• Alive and kicking: Very active, healthy, and successful.

  • Don't worry about the old club; it's still alive and kicking.

• (Any/every) man alive: Used for emphasis to mean 'anyone at all'.

  • He's one of the greatest scientists alive.
  • Man alive! That was a close call! (An exclamation of surprise or shock).

Adjective

1. capable of erupting
   • a live volcano
   • the volcano is very much alive
2. mentally perceptive and responsive
   • an alert mind
   • alert to the problems
   • alive to what is going on
   • awake to the dangers of her situation
   • was now awake to the reality of his predicament
3. in operation
   • keep hope alive
   • the tradition was still alive
   • an active tradition
4. (followed by `to' or `of') aware of
   • is alive to the moods of others
5. having life or vigor or spirit
   • an animated and expressive face
   • animated conversation
   • became very animated when he heard the good news
6. (often followed by `with') full of life and spirit
   • she was wonderfully alive for her age
   • a face alive with mischief
7. possessing life
   • the happiest person alive
   • the nerve is alive
   • doctors are working hard to keep him alive
   • burned alive
   • a live canary