alive

/əˈlaɪv/
adjectiveBeginner living and not dead
general

Having life; living and not dead

The rescue team found the hiker alive in the mountains.

The rescue team discovered the hiker was living and not dead in the mountains.

💡

Often used to emphasize survival or the presence of life.

informal

Full of energy or activity; vibrant

The city is alive with music and festivals during the summer.

The city is vibrant and full of energy with music and festivals during the summer.

💡

Used metaphorically to describe something that is lively or dynamic.

Collocations

bring someone back to lifeto revive someonekeep the memory aliveto maintain the memoryalive and kickinghealthy and active

Related Phrases

alive and wellphrase
in good health and condition
bring to lifephrasal verb
to make something seem real or vivid

💡Pro Tip

Literal vs. Metaphorical Use

Remember that 'alive' can be used both literally to describe living things and metaphorically to describe things that are lively or full of energy.

Gold Rule

Correct Usage

'Alive' is an adjective and should be used to describe something that is living or full of energy. Avoid using it to describe inanimate objects unless you are using it metaphorically.

📖Word Origin

From Middle English 'alive', from Old English 'on life', from 'on' (on) + 'lif' (life).

📝Usage Notes

Can be used both literally to describe living beings and metaphorically to describe things that are lively or full of energy.

Word Breakdown

a-
on, in
prefix
+
-live
life
root
English Dictionary