Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Alive
A-live′
,Adj.
1.
Having life, in opposition to dead; living; being in a state in which the organs perform their functions;
as, an animal or a plant which is
. alive
2.
In a state of action; in force or operation; unextinguished; unexpired; existent;
as, to keep the fire
alive
; to keep the affections alive
.3.
Exhibiting the activity and motion of many living beings; swarming; thronged.
The Boyne, for a quarter of a mile, was
alive
with muskets and green boughs. Macaulay.
4.
Sprightly; lively; brisk.
Richardson.
5.
Having susceptibility; easily impressed; having lively feelings, as opposed to apathy; sensitive.
Tremblingly
alive
to nature’s laws. Falconer.
6.
Of all living (by way of emphasis).
Northumberland was the proudest man
alive
. Clarendon.
Used colloquially as an intensive; as, man alive!
☞ Alive always follows the noun which it qualifies.
Webster 1828 Edition
Alive
ALI'VE
, a.1.
Having life, in opposition to dead; living; being in a state in which the organs perform their functions, and the fluids move, whether in animals or vegetables; as, the man or plant is alive.2.
In a state of action; unextinguished; undestroyed; unexpired; in force or operation; as, keep the process alive.3.
Cheerful; sprightly; lively; full of alacrity; as, the company were all alive.4.
Susceptible; easily impressed; having lively feelings, as when the mind is solicitous about some event; as, one is alive to whatever is interesting to a friend.5.
Exhibiting motion or moving bodies in great numbers.The city was all alive, when the General entered.
6.
In a scriptural sense, regenerated; born again.For this my son was dead and is alive. Luke 15.
[This adjective always follows the noun which it qualifies.]
Definition 2024
alive
alive
English
Adjective
alive (comparative more alive, superlative most alive)
- Having life, in opposition to dead; living; being in a state in which the organs perform their functions; as, an animal or a plant which is alive.
- In a state of action; in force or operation; unextinguished; unexpired; existent
- to keep the fire alive; to keep the affections alive.
- Exhibiting the activity and motion of many living beings; swarming; thronged.
- The Boyne, for a quarter of a mile, was alive with muskets and green boughs. -- Thomas Babington Macaulay.
- Sprightly; lively; brisk.
- Having susceptibility; easily impressed; having lively feelings, as opposed to apathy; sensitive.
- Tremblingly alive to nature's laws. -- William Falconer.
- As intensifier, of all living.
- Northumberland was the proudest man alive. --Edward Hyde Clarendon.
Usage notes
- As intensifier, used colloquially "man alive!", "sakes alive!".
- Alive always follows the noun which it qualifies.
Antonyms
Derived terms
Terms derived from alive
Translations
having life
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in a state of action
exhibiting the activity and motion of many living beings
sprightly, lively, brisk
having susceptibility
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of all living
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