alive

comparative more alive · superlative most alive

1. predicativeHaving life; living; not dead.

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

   1 more example

   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.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Rev 1:18

   Synonyms: alive and kicking

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

   to keep the fire alive

   1 more example

   to keep the affections alive

   Synonyms: existing

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

   First a solitary blackbird started up, and soon the whole forest was alive with birdsong.

   2 more examples

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

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

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

4. predicativeCarrying electrical current; energized.

   DANGER: OVERHEAD CATENARY—WIRE IS ALIVE

   Synonyms: energized, hot, live

5. predicativeAware of; sensitive to.

   We are alive to the ongoing potential for terrorist attacks.

   3 more examples

   We may be sure that the Church would be alive to the dangers of allowing the plays to be performed outside the sacred edifice.

   1925, Godfrey W. Mathews, The Chester Mystery Plays […] ., Liverpool: Edward Howell LTD, page 5

   The railways are fully alive to the position, and are sparing neither effort nor expense to provide more attractive trains and to effect economies, but in such circumstances some curtailment of services is inevitable.

   1958 May 28, “Railway Difficulties in the U.S.A.”, in Railway Magazine, page 296

   Like many producers, she [Shonda Rhimes] is also alive to concerns over how AI tools will feed into the process of making TV.

   2025 September 13, Daniel Thomas, “Lunch with the FT: Shonda Rhimes”, in FT Weekend (Life & Arts section), London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 3

6. predicativeSprightly; lively; brisk.

   Smouch, requesting Mr. Pickwick in a surly manner ‘to be as alive as he could, for it was a busy time,’ drew up a chair by the door and sat there, until he had finished dressing.

   1836 March – 1837 October, Charles Dickens, “(please specify the chapter name)”, in The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1837, →OCLC

   1 more example

   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.

   2018 May 26, Daniel Taylor, “Liverpool go through after Mohamed Salah stops Manchester City fightback”, in The Guardian (London)

   Synonyms: frisky

7. predicativeSusceptible, sensitive; easy to impress; having keen feelings, as opposed to apathy.

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

   1762, William Falconer, The Shipwreck

   2 more examples

   This was a reproach to John, and a slur upon the dog; and both were alive to their misfortune.

   1887, Robert Louis Stevenson, “Pastoral”, in Memories and Portraits, New York: Charles Scribner, page 99

   Beedel raised his slow, meditative eyes and wondered for the hundredth time at the strangely alive expression in the gaze that really seemed to meet his own.

   1927, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados Mysteries

8. emphaticintensifierpredicativeOut of all living creatures.

   The Whitest Boy Alive

   2 more examples

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

   1702, Edward Hyde Clarendon, The History of the Rebellion

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

   2000, Candye Kane, “The Toughest Girl Alive”

   Synonyms: ever, in the world

9. predicativecomputingSynonym of live.

   Synonyms: live