enliven

/ɛnˈlaɪvɪn/

/ɛnˈlaɪvɪn/

Other forms: enlivened; enlivening; enlivens

High school students who are throwing a dance in the gym might enliven it with balloons and streamers. In other words, they might try to cheer the room up.

When you enliven something, you make it more lively, colorful, or exciting. Your friend who is the life of the party can probably be counted on to enliven the dullest gathering, and a sprinkle of curry powder can enliven a dish of plain roasted vegetables. The original meaning of enliven, from the seventeenth century, was literally "to bring to life," as when a doctor re-starts a patient's stopped heartbeat.

Definitions of enliven

1. verb

   make lively
   synonyms: animate, invigorate, liven, liven up

   antonyms:

   deaden

   make less lively, intense, or vigorous; impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation

   types:

   ginger up, jazz up, juice up, pep up

   make more interesting or lively

   inspirit, spirit, spirit up

   infuse with spirit

   type of:

   arouse, brace, energise, energize, perk up, stimulate

   cause to be alert and energetic
2. verb

   heighten or intensify
   synonyms: animate, exalt, inspire, invigorate

   types:

   encourage

   inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to

   barrack, cheer, exhort, inspire, pep up, root on, urge, urge on

   spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts

   foster, nurture

   help develop, help grow

   hollo

   encourage somebody by crying hollo

   buoy, cheer, embolden, hearten, recreate

   give encouragement to

   draw out

   make more sociable

   bring out

   encourage to be less reserved

   goad, spur

   give heart or courage to

   type of:

   excite, shake, shake up, stimulate, stir

   stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of