alive

From Middle English alive, alyve, alife, from Old English on līfe (“in life”), equivalent to a- +‎ life.

• (US) IPA^(key): /əˈlaɪv/

• Audio (US)

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• Rhymes: -aɪv

alive (comparative more alive, superlative most alive)

1. Having life; living; not dead

   As long as the plant is alive, he will continue to water it.

2. In a state of action; in force or operation; existent

   to keep the fire alive

   to keep the affections alive

3. Busy with activity of many living beings; swarming; thronged; busy.

   Although quite dull during the day, the main street comes alive at night, with many bars and clubs opening.

   • 1848, Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James the Second

     The Boyne, for a quarter of a mile, was alive with muskets and green boughs.

4. Sprightly; lively; brisk.
   • 2018 May 26, Daniel Taylor, “Liverpool go through after Mohamed Salah stops Manchester City fightback”, in The Guardian (London)‎:

     Liverpool’s equaliser came within four minutes. James Milner swung the ball over from a corner on the right and Sadio Mané, Liverpool’s most dangerous player, was alive in the six-yard area.

5. Having susceptibility; easily impressed; having lively feelings, as opposed to apathy; sensitive.
   • 1762, William Falconer, The Shipwreck

     Though tremblingly alive to Nature's laws, Yet ever firm to Honour's sacred cause

6. (as an intensifier) out of all living creatues.
   • 2000, Candye Kane, The Toughest Girl Alive

     I'm the toughest girl alive.
     I walked through the fire and I survived.

   • 1702, Edward Hyde Clarendon, The History of the Rebellion

     The Earl of Northumberland 'was the proudest man alive' and 'was in all his deportment a very great man.

   Synonyms: in the world, ever

• Alive always follows the noun which it qualifies, for example "The bee is alive". Before a noun, the adjectives living or live may be used with a similar meaning

• dead

• Leiva, alvei, avile