alive
gb/əlˈaɪv/ us/əlˈaɪv/
A2
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Living, not dead
Having life; not dead.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] 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'.
Synonyms
living (Neutral term meaning having life; interchangeable in most contexts.)
Antonyms
dead (Opposite state of being without life.)
Collocations
keep alive
|stay alive
|remain alive
|barely alive
Themes
daily life
|biology
|core_vocabulary
|health
Examples
- The rescue team found the missing hiker alive.
- She was barely alive when they reached the hospital.
- 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.
- He is happy to be alive.
- My grandmother is still alive.
- The plant is alive.
adjective
B1
property
2
Full of energy or excitement
Very active, full of energy or excitement.
Usage pattern:
[a place/person] is alive with [activity/noise/etc.]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this figurative sense with the literal 'not dead' meaning and use it inappropriately for physical life status.
Synonyms
lively (Suggests active and energetic in manner or atmosphere.)
Antonyms
dull (Lacking energy or excitement.)
Collocations
alive with excitement
|alive with energy
|come alive
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The city is alive with music during the festival.
- She feels truly alive when she’s on stage.
- The room came alive when the band started playing.
Learner examples
- The park is alive with people.
- The classroom was alive with noise.
- I feel alive when I run.
adjective
B2
property
3
Still existing or relevant
Still existing or important today.
Usage pattern:
[idea/tradition/etc.] is alive [in/among etc.]
Synonyms
ongoing (Still happening or in existence, though less emotional than 'alive'.)
Antonyms
extinct (No longer existing at all.)
Collocations
keep the tradition alive
|alive in memory
|alive and well
Themes
culture
|history
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The old customs are still alive in the village.
- Her memory is alive in our hearts.
- The debate about climate change is very much alive.
Learner examples
- The tradition is still alive.
- His name is alive in history.
- The story is alive in many countries.
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.