lively

/ˈlaɪvli/

/ˈlaɪvli/

Other forms: liveliest; livelier; livelily

If you’re feeling lively, you might whistle a tune, go for a brisk jog, or strike up an amusing conversation. Lively means "active, spirited, and energetic."

Lively is an adjective derived from the noun "life," and it basically means "full of life." A lively party is exciting and entertaining. A lively person has an energetic personality, is always on alert, and prefers being active as opposed to just hanging around. Note that a "lively discussion" isn’t necessarily a happy discussion; it could be a spirited or even heated conversation where all parties are actively involved. Lively means the opposite of sluggish or dull.

Definitions of lively

1. adjective

   full of life and energy
   “a lively discussion”

   “lively and attractive parents”

   “a lively party”

   synonyms:

   alert, watchful

   engaged in or accustomed to close observation

   alive, animated

   having life or vigor or spirit

   alive

   (often followed by `with') full of life and spirit

   bouncing, bouncy, peppy, spirited, zippy

   marked by lively action

   breezy

   fresh and animated

   bubbly

   full of or showing high spirits

   bubbling, effervescent, frothy, scintillating, sparkly

   marked by high spirits or excitement

   burbling, burbly, effusive, gushing

   uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm

   live

   abounding with life and energy

   warm

   characterized by liveliness or excitement or disagreement

   energetic

   possessing or exerting or displaying energy

   spirited

   displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness

   rested

   not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

   antonyms:

   dull

   lacking in liveliness or animation

   unanimated

   not animated or enlivened; dull

   colorless, colourless

   lacking in variety and interest

   arid, desiccate, desiccated

   lacking vitality or spirit; lifeless

   bovine

   dull and slow-moving and stolid; like an ox

   drab, dreary

   lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise

   heavy, leaden

   lacking lightness or liveliness

   humdrum, monotonous

   tediously repetitious or lacking in variety

   lackluster, lacklustre, lusterless, lustreless

   lacking brilliance or vitality

   spiritless

   lacking ardor or vigor or energy
2. adjective

   full of zest or vigor
   synonyms: racy

   spirited

   displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness
3. adjective

   quick and energetic
   “a lively gait”

   synonyms: alert, brisk, merry, rattling, snappy, spanking, zappy, zippy

   energetic

   possessing or exerting or displaying energy
4. adjective

   filled with events or activity
   “a lively period in history”

   synonyms:

   eventful

   full of events or incidents
5. adjective

   full of spirit
   “this whole lively world”

   synonyms: full of life, vital

   alive, animated

   having life or vigor or spirit
6. adjective

   elastic; rebounds readily
   “a lively tennis ball”

   synonyms: bouncy, live, resilient, springy

   elastic

   capable of resuming original shape after stretching or compression; springy