livelylive‧ly /ˈlaɪvli/ ●●○ S3 adjective (comparative livelier, superlative liveliest) 
a lively child2place/situation a place or situation that is lively is exciting because a lot of things are happening: The hotel is situated next to the lively bustling port. the city’s lively nightlife3movements/music lively movements or music are very quick and exciting: a lively Spanish dance4discussion/description etc a lively discussion, description etc is very interesting and involves a lot of ideas: The book offers a lively account of her travels. a lively debate on environmental issues5mind/thoughts someone who has a lively mind is intelligent and interested in a lot of things: Even Paula has shown a lively interest in politics. Charlie has a very lively imagination (=he often invents stories, descriptions etc that are not true).6colour very bright: a lively combination of colours7taste something that has a lively taste has a strong but pleasant taste: The wine has a lively fruity flavour.8look lively! BrE spoken, step lively! American English spoken used to tell someone to hurry—liveliness noun [uncountable]
WORD ORIGINlively
Origin:
Old English liflic, from lif; ➔ LIFEEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- lively Latin rhythms
- a lively combination of colors
- a lively dance
- a lively debate
- a lively kid
- A group of children entertained us with a lively dance called a tarantella.
- Any question about taxation is likely to produce a lively debate in parliament.
- As a speaker, he was articulate, lively, and funny.
- Garvy's novels have interesting characters and lively dialogue.
- Her face was lively and animated as she acted out the scene.
- It's the liveliest bar in town, very popular with the tourists.
- It was a lively and happy celebration.
- She was a lively and adventurous girl - not one for a quiet life.
- the lively swirls of the stream
- We got to the disco at about 10 o'clock and it was already quite lively.
- All the recordings are sharp and lively, even if in some cases forty years old.
- But sometimes he seemed unnaturally flushed and lively - and it was not with drink.
- First, there must be a continuing and lively debate on ethical matters to ensure that ethical guidance is kept up-to-date.
- Hunt and Metta provide some lively moments, but Reed, a fine actor, is mostly reduced to wailing and whimpering.
- In all of present-day economics, there is no livelier writer than D. N. McCloskey.
- It also features serious drama festivals, touring shows, lively musicals and pantomime.
- She sat next to him at dinner that night and engaged him in a lively discussion of rope walking.
Longman Language Activatora busy place
· Even though it was eight o'clock the market was still busy.· Paris nowadays is a busy and crowded metropolis.· The main road is busy, so be careful when you try to cross it.· This is a very busy area, what with the school, the bus station, and the new shopping mall.
a bar, restaurant, club etc that is lively is noisy and full of people who are enjoying themselves: · We got to the disco at about 10 o'clock and it was already quite lively.· It's the liveliest bar in town, very popular with the tourists.
a bustling town, street, area etc is busy and noisy, with a lot of people walking about, going in and out of shops etc: · The bustling downtown area of Chicago is dotted with massive new office developments.· The old market is a busy, bustling place, full of local colour.
happy and energetic cheerful and active: · She was a lively and adventurous girl - not one for a quiet life.· As a speaker, he was articulate, lively, and funny.
a woman or girl who is vivacious has a lot of energy and a happy and attractive manner: · Laura was an all-American type -- cute, blonde, vivacious.· He married a vivacious girl called Sarah who he met at university.
full of interest and energy, especially when talking to someone: · Mike tends to be more animated in the presence of women.become animated: · As the evening went on she became quite animated, talking and laughing with the other girls.
to feel happy and lively, and to show this by the way you behave: · Stephen was a normal boy of seven, full of life and fun.· Before the accident he had been a cheerful, confident man, full of life.
informal to feel happy, energetic, and eager, and to show this by the way you behave: · I wish I was one of those people who are full of beans first thing in the morning.· You'd never think she'd been ill -- she came bouncing in this morning, full of beans.
to feel full of energy, happy, and free: · After the divorce she felt really alive for the first time in her life.· I only feel truly alive when I'm outside, in the open air.
energetic activities, behaviour etc involving a lot of physical activity: · Pete was lying on his bed, resting after an energetic game of tennis.· I don't feel like doing anything very energetic this evening. I've had a tiring day.
using a lot of energy and strength: · Next there was a vigorous Russian dance, with plenty of stamping of feet and clapping.vigorous exercise: · According to a recent survey, a quarter of people over twelve get no vigorous exercise at all.
: tireless efforts/work etc work that always involves the same high level of effort: · The prisoners were finally released, thanks to the tireless efforts of their families and friends.
full of quick, energetic movement and therefore exciting or enjoyable: · A group of children entertained us with a lively dance called a tarantella.· Any question about taxation is likely to produce a lively debate in parliament.
full of excitement and strong feelings - use this especially about conversations: animated conversation/discussion etc: · The two Americans were having an animated discussion about basketball.· Peter was engaged in an animated conversation at the bar.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY a lively debate on environmental issues Even Paula has shown a lively interest in politics. Charlie has a very lively imagination (=he often invents stories, descriptions etc that are not true).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
a lively debate on environmental issues Even Paula has shown a lively interest in politics. Charlie has a very lively imagination (=he often invents stories, descriptions etc that are not true). (=interesting and involving a lot of different opinions)· The conference produced some lively debate.
(=liking to meet and talk to people)· Her lively personality won her many admirers.
· It is a lively resort with plenty of bars and cafés.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Joey Beauchamp has looked as lively as sharp as any over the last few weeks.· The atmosphere was as lively as it was at Church House itself.· He made his lecture demonstrations as lively as possible in order to capture the interest of the undergraduates.
· I'd sooner go to a dance - it's more livelier.· Models of growth-Liturgy more lively Accessible-time Tension between the informal and the formal.· At times the Crown Prince swapped the staid dance music for rather, more lively rock and roll.· I do feel we could be a bit more lively though!· A reshuffle took Anderson into midfield and they looked a lot more lively.· I look forward to hearing them again in a more lively acoustic.· Some are very monastic, with the accent on contemplation and little talking, others are more lively.· Historical conferences became regular and much more lively.
· She was very lively with a spark of her own.· The Glasgow they evoke is a very hard and a very lively place.· The Moots and the Law Society made the Department very lively.· It is 2.30 am and things are very lively at Number 17 where it gets noisier by the minute.· She wasn't used to mountains and heights were always a little alarming, especially when you had a very lively imagination.· He, along with his three brothers is very lively and is always running about and making plenty of noise outside my house.· Ewan is a very lively character, and good to have around.· Very brilliant, very smart, very lively and the outstanding scholar of her year.
NOUN· First, there must be a continuing and lively debate on ethical matters to ensure that ethical guidance is kept up-to-date.· As others may have different theories a genuine desire to prove a point of view leads to some lively debate.· The conference produced some lively debate and occasionally some widely differing viewpoints.· Needless to say, there is a continuous and lively debate about whose model is the best.
· Shoplifting has reached epidemic proportions and this gave rise to a lively discussion.· She sat next to him at dinner that night and engaged him in a lively discussion of rope walking.· On some evenings he will lecture with slides of his own and other nature artists' work, followed by lively discussion.· That's what Cabinets are for, and lively discussions usually lead to good decisions.· This meeting generated a great deal of lively discussion and useful feedback.
· She wasn't used to mountains and heights were always a little alarming, especially when you had a very lively imagination.· You'd be wise, Miss Holbrook, to keep a firm control on your own lively imagination.
· Cranston's mount became skittish and even Philomel showed a lively interest in the group round the scaffold.· McGregor thought Amelia was particularly suited by temperament for scientific work because she had such a lively interest.· Below him, hand in hand, staring up with lively interest, were Jenny and Antony.· Ella's lively interest in Harold Shoosmith was shared by the rest of Thrush Green.· This produces some lively interest-and some illuminating questions once the children overcome their inevitable reticence.· Though essentially traditionalist, the work shows a critical spirit and a lively interest in recent discoveries and debates.
· It was a lively place and did good work.· The Glasgow they evoke is a very hard and a very lively place.· Roth got to know Bellow in Chicago, where Roth worked as a university teacher, finding it a lively place.· Today it retains much of its charm and is a lively place full of good restaurants, cafés and pubs.· It is a lively place in the evening too.· At any rate, it would be a lively place!
WORD FAMILYverbliveoutliverelivelivenupadjectivelivelivelylivingliveablenounlivelinesslivinglivelihoodadverblive
1people someone who is lively has a lot of energy and is very active: a lively child2place/situation a place or situation that is lively is exciting because a lot of things are happening: The hotel is situated next to the lively bustling port. the city’s lively nightlife3movements/music lively movements or music are very quick and exciting: a lively Spanish dance4discussion/description etc a lively discussion, description etc is very interesting and involves a lot of ideas: The book offers a lively account of her travels. a lively debate on environmental issues5mind/thoughts someone who has a lively mind is intelligent and interested in a lot of things: Even Paula has shown a lively interest in politics. Charlie has a very lively imagination (=he often invents stories, descriptions etc that are not true).6colour very bright: a lively combination of colours7taste something that has a lively taste has a strong but pleasant taste: The wine has a lively fruity flavour.8look lively! BrE spoken, step lively! American English spoken used to tell someone to hurry—liveliness noun [uncountable]