alive

Forms

Comparative: more alive
Superlative: most alive

Definitions

1.Having life; living; not dead.
- As long as the plant is alive, he will continue to water it.
- I am hee that liueth, and was dead : and behold, I am aliue foꝛ euermoꝛe,Amen,and haue the keyes of hell and of death.
2.In a state of action; in force or operation; existent.
- All of the dogs were alive.
3.Busy with activity of many living beings; swarming; thronged; busy.
- The Boyne, for a quarter of a mile, was alive with muskets and green boughs.
- First a solitary blackbird started up, and soon the whole forest was alive with birdsong.
- Although quite dull during the day, the main street comes alive at night, with many bars and clubs opening.
4.Carrying electrical current; energized.
- All of the dogs were alive.

Frequency

Overall

Common· #1374

By learning goal

Everyday conversation: Common
General reading & writing: Common
Academic: Rare
Literature: Uncommon

Etymology

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).