French

Adjective

vif m ‎(feminine singular vive, masculine plural vifs, feminine plural vives)

1. lively, brisk
2. vivid, bright
3. keen, sharp
4. (words) poignant, cutting, sharp
5. (edges) sharp, jagged
6. (pain) acute, intense, strong
7. (feelings, emotions) great, deep

Usage notes

• In the sense "great, deep", the adjective is placed before the noun, e.g. vif plaisir ("great pleasure"), vive tristesse ("deep sadness"). In all other senses it comes after the noun. e.g. vent vif ("keen wind"), musique vive ("lively music").

Synonyms

• violent
• vivant

Related terms

• vivement
• vivre

Noun

vif m ‎(plural vifs)

1. living person

Derived terms

• avoir les nerfs à vif
• entrer dans le vif du sujet
• piquer au vif

Lojban

Rafsi

vif

1. rafsi of vifne.

Middle French

Etymology

From Old French vif, from Latin vīvus ‎(“alive, living”).

Adjective

vif m ‎(feminine singular vifve, masculine plural vifs, feminine plural vifes)

1. alive

Norman

Etymology

From Old French vif, from Latin vīvus ‎(“alive, living”).

Adjective

vif m

1. (Jersey) alive, quick

Derived terms

• vivement

Old French

Etymology

From Latin vīvus ‎(“alive, living”)

Adjective

vif m ‎(oblique and nominative feminine singular vive)

1. alive

Declension

Descendants

• Middle French: vif
  • French: vif
• Norman: vif

Volapük

Noun

vif

1. rapidity
2. speed