alive
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- living, animate, breathing, in the land of the living (informal), subsisting
- in existence, active, existing, extant, functioning, in force, operative
- lively, active, alert, animated, energetic, full of life, vital, vivacious

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Antonyms: dead, defunct, extinct, blind (to)
Contrasted words: inactive, inert, dormant, quiescent, heedless, inattentive, oblivious, unmindful, careless, neglectful, negligent, barren, empty, vacant, void, unoccupied, unpopulated, untenanted
Related Words: fresh, green, verdant, vigilant, watchful, wide-awake, intelligent, quick, quick-witted, crowded, populous, thick, filled, flush, full

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

a‧live S2 W3 /əˈlaɪv/ adjective [not before noun]
[Language: Old English; Origin: on life 'in life']

1. NOT DEAD still living and not dead:
It was a bad accident – they’re lucky to be alive.
My grandparents are still alive.
We stayed alive by eating berries.
He was kept alive on a life-support machine.
Apparently he’s alive and well and living in Brazil.

2. STILL EXISTING continuing to exist:
Ancient traditions are very much alive in rural areas.
Christianity is alive and well in Asia.
The sport is still very much alive and kicking in this country.

3. CHEERFUL full of energy, happiness, activity etc:
It was the kind of morning when you wake up and feel really alive.
alive with
Her face was alive with excitement.
The whole house was alive with activity.

4. come alive
a) if a subject or event comes alive, it becomes interesting and seems real:
Hopefully, we can make history come alive for the children.
b) if someone comes alive, they suddenly become happy and interested in what is happening:
She only came alive when she sat down at the piano.
c) if a town, city etc comes alive, it becomes busy:
seaside resorts that come alive in the summer

5. be alive to a fact/possibility/danger etc to know that a particular fact etc exists and that it is important:
The company is alive to the threat posed by foreign imports.

6. be alive with something to be full of living things that are moving:
The pond was alive with fish.

7. bring something alive to make something interesting and real:
The way he describes his characters really brings them alive.
⇒ skin somebody alive at skin²(3)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

alive
adj.
I. living
VERBS be, seem | remain, stay Lost and so far from other human life, he faced a desperate struggle to stay alive.
keep sb Doctors fought to keep her alive.
be buried, be burnt
ADV. very much The old rascal is still very much alive.
barely, only half For four days he seemed barely alive.
still I wasn't sure if he was still alive.
PHRASES alive and kicking My mother is still alive and kicking.
alive and well At any moment he may turn up alive and well.
dead or alive The police are desperate to catch this man dead or alive.
lucky to be alive It was a very narrow escape and we are lucky to be alive.
more dead than alive Poor child, she looks more dead than alive.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

alive
II. full of life
VERBS be, feel, seem I feel really alive in the country!
come The city comes alive at night.
bring sb/sth The wealth of detail in his book really brings it alive.
ADV. really, truly, very | fully | intensely | only half She realized that she had only been half alive for the last four years.
suddenly His eyes were suddenly alive with excitement.
PREP. with The hall was alive with the sound of voices.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

alive
III. continuing to exist
VERBS be | remain | keep sth The people try to keep the old traditions alive.
ADV. very much The old customs are still very much alive in this region.
PHRASES alive and well The art of debate is alive and well in our schools.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

alive
IV. aware of sth
VERBS be | become | remain
ADV. very much | keenly
PREP. to He remained keenly alive to the dangers.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

alive
adjective
1.
BAD: Every alive creature in the sea is affected by pollution.
GOOD: Every living creature in the sea is affected by pollution.

Usage Note:
alive = not dead: 'He was very seriously ill and is lucky to be alive.'
living = (1) alive now: 'He has no living relatives.' (2) used to refer to all creatures and things that live and die: 'Yeast is a living organism and too much heat or cold can kill it.' 'The ants will eat any living thing that comes into their path.'

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2.
BAD: Our teacher, Mr Collins, is very alive.
GOOD: Our teacher, Mr Collins, is very lively.

Usage Note:
lively = full of energy: 'The Yorkshire Terrier is a lively breed of dog.'

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3.
BAD: My reason for being alive had disappeared.
GOOD: My reason for living had disappeared.

Usage Note:
When you mean 'continue to be alive', use the verb live : 'Her grandmother lived to a great age.' 'The baby was four months premature and was not expected to live.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

alive
əˈlaɪv
See: come alive , know --- is alive , look alive , skin alive

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲