alive
gb/əlˈaɪv/ us/əlˈaɪv/
A2
English
~ 2200
él, életben van, élő, élettel teli, pezsgő, élénk, fennmarad
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is alive
The rescue team found the missing hiker alive.
A mentőcsapat életben találta meg az eltűnt túrázót.
She was barely alive when they reached the hospital.
Alig élt, amikor beértek vele a kórházba.
I’m so glad you’re alive after that terrible accident.
The fish was still alive when we pulled it from the water.
Learner examples
The dog is alive.
A kutya él.
He is happy to be alive.
Boldog, hogy él.
My grandmother is still alive.
The plant is alive.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'alive' with 'live' (verb) or 'living' (adjective), not realizing 'alive' is typically used after a verb like 'be'.
Meaning
Living, not dead
Collocations
keep alive
|stay alive
|remain alive
|barely alive
Synonyms
living (Neutral term meaning having life; interchangeable in most contexts.)
Antonyms
dead (Opposite state of being without life.)
Themes
daily life
|biology
|core_vocabulary
|health
Definition
Having life; not dead.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[a place/person] is alive with [activity/noise/etc.]
The city is alive with music during the festival.
A fesztivál idején a város zenétől pezseg.
She feels truly alive when she’s on stage.
Amikor színpadon van, úgy érzi, igazán él.
The room came alive when the band started playing.
Learner examples
The park is alive with people.
A park nyüzsög az emberektől.
The classroom was alive with noise.
A tanterem tele volt zajjal.
I feel alive when I run.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this figurative sense with the literal 'not dead' meaning and use it inappropriately for physical life status.
Meaning
Full of energy or excitement
Collocations
alive with excitement
|alive with energy
|come alive
Synonyms
lively (Suggests active and energetic in manner or atmosphere.)
Antonyms
dull (Lacking energy or excitement.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very active, full of energy or excitement.
Full of energy, activity, or excitement.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[idea/tradition/etc.] is alive [in/among etc.]
The old customs are still alive in the village.
A régi szokások még ma is élnek a faluban.
Her memory is alive in our hearts.
Emléke tovább él a szívünkben.
The debate about climate change is very much alive.
Learner examples
The tradition is still alive.
A hagyomány még él.
His name is alive in history.
Neve fennmaradt a történelemben.
The story is alive in many countries.
Meaning
Still existing or relevant
Collocations
keep the tradition alive
|alive in memory
|alive and well
Synonyms
ongoing (Still happening or in existence, though less emotional than 'alive'.)
Antonyms
extinct (No longer existing at all.)
Themes
culture
|history
|time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Still existing or important today.
Continuing to exist or have effect; not forgotten or obsolete.
Grammar
Dictionary form
alive
IPA
GB/əlˈaɪv/
US/əlˈaɪv/
Syllables & stress
alive (1 syllable)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: alive
Word family
Expressions
alive and kicking
1/əlˈaɪv ˈænd kˈɪkɪŋ/
idiom
informal
Healthy and active despite problems
Still healthy and full of energy, even after problems or danger.
Examples
- Grandpa is 90 years old but still alive and kicking.
- Despite rumors, the project is alive and kicking.
bring something alive
1/bɹˈɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ əlˈaɪv/
fixed phrase
Make something seem real or exciting
To make a story, idea, or situation seem real and interesting.
Examples
- The teacher used pictures to bring history alive.
- Music can bring a scene alive in a movie.
come alive
1/kˈʌm əlˈaɪv/
idiom
Become energetic or exciting
To become full of energy, activity, or excitement.
Examples
- The party really came alive after midnight.
- The story comes alive when the actors perform it.