Library / English Dictionary

ENLIVEN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make lively

Example:

let's liven up this room a bit

Synonyms:

animate; enliven; invigorate; liven; liven up

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "enliven" is one way to...):

arouse; brace; energise; energize; perk up; stimulate (cause to be alert and energetic)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "enliven"):

ginger up; jazz up; juice up; pep up (make more interesting or lively)

inspirit; spirit; spirit up (infuse with spirit)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Antonym:

deaden (make less lively, intense, or vigorous; impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation)

Derivation:

enlivener (an agent that gives or restores life or vigor)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Heighten or intensify

Example:

These paintings exalt the imagination

Synonyms:

animate; enliven; exalt; inspire; invigorate

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Hypernyms (to "enliven" is one way to...):

excite; shake; shake up; stimulate; stir (stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "enliven"):

encourage (inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Credits

 Context examples: 

No coaxing, no sugar, no lullaby, no story, even the light was put out and only the red glow of the fire enlivened the 'big dark' which Demi regarded with curiosity rather than fear.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

She had a little beauty and a little accomplishment, but so little judgment that she thought herself coming with superior knowledge of the world, to enliven and improve a country neighbourhood; and conceived Miss Hawkins to have held such a place in society as Mrs. Elton's consequence only could surpass.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Tom repeated his resolution of going to him early on the morrow; and though Julia, who had scarcely opened her lips before, observed, in a sarcastic manner, and with a glance first at Maria and then at Edmund, that the Mansfield theatricals would enliven the whole neighbourhood exceedingly, Edmund still held his peace, and shewed his feelings only by a determined gravity.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

To amuse her, and be agreeable in her eyes, seemed all that he cared for—and Emma, glad to be enlivened, not sorry to be flattered, was gay and easy too, and gave him all the friendly encouragement, the admission to be gallant, which she had ever given in the first and most animating period of their acquaintance; but which now, in her own estimation, meant nothing, though in the judgment of most people looking on it must have had such an appearance as no English word but flirtation could very well describe.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)