enliven

[en-lahy-vuhn]

verb (used with object)

1. to make vigorous or active; invigorate.

   The wit of Mencken enlivened his age.

   Synonyms: quicken, stimulate, vivify, inspirit, animate

2. to make sprightly or cheerful; brighten.

   Flowers enliven any room.

   Synonyms: gladden
   Antonyms: depress

enliven

/ ɪnˈlaɪvən /

verb

1. to make active, vivacious, or spirited; invigorate

2. to make cheerful or bright; gladden or brighten

Other Word Forms

• enlivening adjective
• enlivener noun
• enlivenment noun
• enliveningly adverb
• unenlivened adjective
• unenlivening adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of enliven¹

1625–35; obsolete enlive to give life to ( en- ¹ + life ) + -en ¹

Synonym Study

See cheer.

Example Sentences

His impact was almost instant, first going past the outside edge of Jaiswal to enliven the crowd.

From BBC

That’s to say, where rivers are recognised as alive, enlivening presences in story, art and law, rather than –– as Isaac Newton put it –– ‘brute inanimate matter’.

From Salon

Elizabeth Harper’s lighting enlivens the dull palette, but I missed the surreal notes of the South Coast Repertory and Broadway stagings.

From Los Angeles Times

A great glaze enrobes and enlivens the meat.

From Salon

The clash of perspective enlivens the drama by clarifying the thematic questioning holding “Cordially” together — how can human beings process the scale of destruction around them without succumbing to feelings of futility.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• animate 
• brighten 
• buoy 
• entertain 
• galvanize 
• invigorate 
• jazz up 
• juice up 
• recreate 
• rejuvenate 
• spice 
• stimulate